Japan's school system involves six years of elementary school, three years of junior high school, three years of high school, and two or three years of junior college or four years of university. In addition, there are various vocational schools. The nine years of elementary and junior high school are compulsory. Nursery school and kindergarten are optional.
If you would like to enroll your child in a Japanese school, contact the School Affairs Division.
The school year begins on April 1st, ends on March 31st. Tsukuba schools (kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools, and some high schools) have two semesters.
The particular school which one is expected to attend is regulated by the Tsukuba City Department of Education and is primarily based on which area one resides. Residents are normally informed about their designated school for their district of residence by a postcard (shuugaku tsuuchi).
Registered foreign residents of Tsukuba may register their children to local kindergartens, elementary, and junior high schools. You are allowed to apply to a limited number of schools depending on the location of your residence. Ask for the application form at the Alien Registration Section. Please bring your Alien Registration Card and a copy of your passport with you.
Children who are going to enter elementary school need to have an official medical checkup. If you haven't received a postcard with this information, please contact the Board of Education.
If your child is about to enter school, he or she may be getting nervous about the idea of going to school. Parents who think their children may be worried about school can bring their children to counselling sessions to help the child get used to the idea. Contact the Board of Education.
Parents of children born between April 2, 1999-April 1, 2000, or between April 2, 1993-April 1, 1994 respectively, will receive their child's "school designation" postcard in the mail from mid-Nov. Fill out the postcard, name seal it, and take this card directly to your designated or current elementary school by Dec. 9.
Students who are planning to attend a private elementary or junior high school will also observe the above-mentioned procedure by Dec. 9. After admission to the private school has been confirmed, fill out a "district exemption" application, and hand in a copy of the admission confirmation notice or a "passing" entrance examination score notice to the School Affairs Division of the Board of Education.
Students who are planning to move out of the city or country by Mar. 2006; those who are planning to move to another school jurisdiction by Mar. 2006; those who are planning to enroll in a national school, a school for the blind, deaf, mentally challenged; those applying for a designated school change, school or district exemption; those who are not able to attend their designated school for legitimate reasons; may apply for an exemption. Bring both your name stamp and postcard to the School Affairs Division of the Board of Education by Dec. 15.
Parents of children who are going to enter elementary school next April are encouraged to consult with the School Affairs Division of the Board of Education on any potential issues they foresee. Counselling sessions can be arranged by calling the Board of Education and the session can take place anytime from Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm. This service is only offered in Japanese, so please bring a translator if necessary.
Nursery schools provide a place for children to go while their parents work. Kindergartens are a precursor to regular school. Nursery schools have longer operating hours, in order to accommodate the needs of working parents. Kindergartens are limited to 4 hours per day, as it is unreasonable to expect children of that age to study longer than that in one day.
Topics: Education
Relevant for: Newcomers, Residents
Please note: While all efforts have been made to offer accurate and up-to-date information on this site, the information is presented as a guideline and is subject to change without notification. Phone numbers, addresses, and/or policies may have changed since this page was created. Please contact the appropriate section of the City Hall for confirmation of information and city policies.