Student Exchange Program Japan

Secondary education (National and Private) includes: Lower secondary education, three years, and Upper secondary education, three years. Entrance to public lower secondary schools is by allocation of the local education board, but entrance to private or national schools is by examination. A number of private schools offer six years of continuous education, covering the lower secondary and higher secondary cycles. In the second and third year of lower secondary schools, attendance at JUKU (private examination preparation schools) is common. There are three types of upper secondary school courses: full-time, part-time and correspondence. Entrance to upper secondary schools is by examination or selection. In 1988 a new type of school called 'credit-system upper secondary school' was inaugurated.

School in Japan begins in April. However, US students may begin in September (after summer vacation) or April. Classes generally begin at 8:30 am and finish at 3:30 pm on weekdays, followed by an hour or two of club activities. Classes are also held from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturdays! There is a 2-week vacation at Christmas, and a 1-week spring break in March or April. Students have 5 weeks off for summer.

The Japanese school system is very different from its American counterpart. Japanese students stay in the same classroom all day and the teachers move from room to room. The average class consists of about 40 students. The students do not choose their subjects, with the exception of Fine Arts, Music or Calligraphy.

Japanese students do not have guidance counselors, but rather a homeroom teacher who is responsible for the students in his/her class. The English teacher will most likely serve as a guidance counselor for Two Worlds United students. High school in Japan has three grade levels, your placement will be based on your scholastic performance and Japanese skills.

The three grade levels in the Japanese high school:

The Japanese school system is more rigorous than its American counterpart and students should be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time (generally 3-4 hours) studying each day. Students will also find that school rules are stricter. These rules cover eg. student's appearance: hairstyle, shoes, socks, length of skirt, and use of make-up or accessories. Students are expected to conform to the host school's rules.  Student Exchange Program Japan

Academic year:

Classes from: Apr to: Mar

Long vacation from: 15 Jul to: 31 Aug

Languages of instruction: Japanese

Higher Education: Japan