Here are some frequently asked questions from parents & students about studying in Seiko Gakuin.
What is the top priority of education in Seiko Gakuin?
Our school faculty strive to promote student interest in learning, through trial and error. We focus on skills such as critical thinking, exploring a topic in depth, developing positive learning attitudes, and constant review of our learning material for students.
Through our everyday classes, we instill in the students the significance of good class attendance and motivation to continue learning with great enthusiasm at home. We have reduced the number of after school staff meetings to allow students to have more opportunities for consultations with their teachers to further improve their learning.
Thus, the aims of education is to enable students and teachers to collaborate as members of the school community by cooperating and helping each other. Through this connection, we hope to create a place where students can learn from each other with high motivation to acquire skills independently.
Through our everyday classes, we instill in the students the significance of good class attendance and motivation to continue learning with great enthusiasm at home. We have reduced the number of after school staff meetings to allow students to have more opportunities for consultations with their teachers to further improve their learning.
Thus, the aims of education is to enable students and teachers to collaborate as members of the school community by cooperating and helping each other. Through this connection, we hope to create a place where students can learn from each other with high motivation to acquire skills independently.
What is the aim of the English education in Seiko Gakuin?
The aim of English education in Seiko Gakuin is to enable our students to become leaders of the world, through their ability to communicate in English. Moreover, we aim to foster positive learning attitudes in order to express themselves and understand others using English.
Our English lessons are designed to encourage students to precisely describe their ideas, with abstract concepts learnt through other classes or from their various life experiences. Thus, we aim to produce students with more than just conversational fluency of the English language.
One of our targets is for students to be able to debate in English. To achieve this, 7th graders go through English Conversation Classes. Held twice a week, the class size is small with 10 students to one teacher. Additionally, 8th graders take online English classes where they would practice speaking and listening skills with English conversation coaches. Students participate in the online English classes four times a week.
Using the skills gained through these special programs, students also participate in educational visits, volunteering activities overseas and homestays abroad to learn more about foreign countries.
Our English lessons are designed to encourage students to precisely describe their ideas, with abstract concepts learnt through other classes or from their various life experiences. Thus, we aim to produce students with more than just conversational fluency of the English language.
One of our targets is for students to be able to debate in English. To achieve this, 7th graders go through English Conversation Classes. Held twice a week, the class size is small with 10 students to one teacher. Additionally, 8th graders take online English classes where they would practice speaking and listening skills with English conversation coaches. Students participate in the online English classes four times a week.
Using the skills gained through these special programs, students also participate in educational visits, volunteering activities overseas and homestays abroad to learn more about foreign countries.
How many students go to cram schools?
Most of our students do not go to cram schools. This is because our school curriculum is sufficient to prepare students with knowledge and skills needed for entering university.
Note: Many Japanese students enroll in extra academic classes outside of school, to gain better understanding of lessons taught in school. These learning centres are called 'cram schools', which operate as private establishments offering lessons from English conversational classes to university entrance examination prep classes, etc.
Note: Many Japanese students enroll in extra academic classes outside of school, to gain better understanding of lessons taught in school. These learning centres are called 'cram schools', which operate as private establishments offering lessons from English conversational classes to university entrance examination prep classes, etc.
What measures are taken to support the students' career aspirations?
We offer students with lectures by alumni of Seiko Gakuin High School. They share stories about their career choices, and inspire students to think about their future. We also assign students with tasks to reflect on their lives. Many teachers, especially the homeroom teachers, are readily available to offer students with all kinds of career guidance and academic counseling, and help students achieve their career aspirations.
What are the advantages of a combined junior and senior high school in the case of Seiko Gakuin?
- Students can avoid learning overlapping content and unnecessary repetition. Thus, we can offer a more efficient transition than the schools that separate junior high and high school in Japan. In Seiko Gakuin, students start learning more advanced content (reserved for older grades in other schools) in their 9th grade. Thanks to this, students are able to concentrate on studying subjects that match their future career aspirations.
- Our focus on Christian values and character building can be helpful to shape good values during students' adolescence.
- No need to worry about passing entrance examinations for high school. Students can study in a more relaxing environment.
- Our students are able to experience many school events and extra-curricular activities in the 9th & 10th grades of 6 years of school. With these opportunities, students both become independent and acquire leadership skills.
- The friendships which develops throughout the six years can be maintained even after graduation.
Note: After elementary school, Japanese students have to undergo six years of secondary schooling. These six years are split into three years of junior high school (7th to 9th grade); and three years of high school (10th to 12 grade). Many students would enroll in a junior high school for three years, and continue their education in a separate high school after passing its entrance test. Seiko Gakuin serves as a combined six-year secondary school. Once enrolled, most students study the full six years before entering university.