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Elementary school and junior high school

Six years of elementary school education and three years of junior high school education are compulsory in Japan. School  life  will  involve  Japanese  customs,  events  and  rules.  Please  respect  them  and  encourage  your  child  to enjoy his or her school life without stress.

School age

School  age  means  the  age  at  which  a  child  can  enter  a  school:  age  six  to  enter  an  elementary school  and  age twelve to enter a junior high school.

In  Japan,  students  belong  to  each  grade  according  to  their  age.  Those  of  foreign  nationality  are  likely  to  be transferred into a grade according to their age.

Fees

National/public schools	Entrance fees, tuition fees and textbooks are provided at no cost for elementary and junior high students. However, teaching materials other than textbooks, school supplies, lunch, excursions and uniforms must be paid at your own expense.
Private schools	Entrance fees and tuition fees must also be paid at your own expense.

Entrance procedures

If  you  wish  to  enter  your  child  into  a  public  elementary  school/junior  high  school,  you  are  advised  to  visit  your municipal administrative office or the Board of education and convey your intention to enter the child into a school in  Japan.

There  you  will  be  given  an  application form “Nyugaku Shinsei Sho”. Fill out the application with the required data and deliver it in the same service desk.

If you wish to enter your child into a national or private elementary school or junior high school, please apply directly to each school.

To  those  who  are registered in Jyuminhyou (Basic Registration of Residents),  a  school  entrance  guide  will  be  sent  to  parents/guardians  of children expected to enter school in the coming school year.  If you do not receive the entrance guide  between the beginning of the year until February, please, consult your municipal administrative office or the Board of Education.

Procedures for transfer (after entrance)

If   you   wish  to  transfer   your  child  to  a  public  elementary  school  or  junior  high  school,  visit   your  municipal administrative office and carry out the procedures for transfer. The child will then transfer to the designated school on  the  designated  day.

As  a  general  principle,  the  child  will  transfer  to  a  grade  according  to  his  or  her  age. However, it is also possible for the child to temporarily study in a lower grade due to circumstances such as lack of Japanese  ability.  If  you  are  concerned  about  this,  please  consult  the  Board  of  Education  in  your  municipal administrative office or the teachers in the respective school.

If  you  wish  your  child  to  enter  a  national or private  school,  please  enquire  directly  at  the respective school.

School life (if your child does not yet speak fluent Japanese)

Classes will be taught in Japanese. Thus, many elementary schools and junior high schools will have a Japanese education program for Japanese learners.

School life (school activities) 

There are activities in schools such as gymkhana, school excursions, study trip, amongother various activities. Through the students, the school will send the information material regarding each school activity. You need to read the information and check the content so that your child can participate in the activities.

PTAs

Each  school  will  have  an  educational  board  by  the  parents  and  teachers  known  as  the  PTAs  (Parent-Teacher Associations). This is an organization which carries out activities where parents and teachers work together for the benefit of their children.

About PTA : http://www.mieinfo.com/en/videos/daily-life-and-laws/pta-parent-teacher-associations/index.html

Children’s Club (Gakudo Clubs)

Children’s  clubs  are  for  children in the lower grades of elementary school without  parents  to  look  after  them  during  the  daytime.  They provide  a  place  for  children  to  be  after  school  hours  and  aim  to  foster  physically  and  mentally  healthy  children through   suitable   play.   For more information, enquire at the municipal office in your city.

After graduation from junior high school

There  are  several  options  for  junior  high  school  graduates  to  go on  their  studies.  They  may  go on  their studies  at  high  schools  or  specialized  high  schools,  or  go  onto  at  specialized  training  schools,  miscellaneous schools, or vocational training schools. They may also choose to work as they study under a part-time system or on a correspondence course.

This video is based on material from CLAIR’s  “Multilingual Living Information (http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengo/)”.