School in Japan has its differences, but again shares many characteristics with schools in the United States.
The educational system in Japan is composed of 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high school, 3 years of high school, and 4 years or university study or 2 years of junior college study. Some schools have classes running from Monday to Saturday. Times when schools begin also vary with the school. If students must attend school on Saturdays, the classes end at noon. (Easy 25)
In Japan, it is mandatory for all children to go to school between the ages of 6 and 15 years. The school term begins on April 1st, and ends on March 31st of the next year. Each school year is divided into 3 terms, and all classes are taught in Japanese.(Easy 25)
Textbooks are examined by the Education Ministry, and fiven free of charge in elementary and junior high school. In elementary school, children must eat the school lunch. But in high school and junior high school, lunch must be brought or bought in the school cafeteria. (Easy 25)Like in the US, there is a distinction between private and public high schools. The dividing factor like in the US is tuition.
To continue to high school and college, students must prepare for entrance exams. These exams are held in very high regard by the students. Many students stay up all night studying for these exams. The result of the exams determine which high school and which college you are eligible to attend. In the case of Miyazu, there are three high schools: Miyazu High School (public), Kyoto Marine High School (magnet), and one other high school. If the students pass the high school entrance exam, they will attend Miyazu High School. If the students do not pass, they will attend the other high school. The Kyoto Marine High School is comparable to a magnet program. Students attending this school are taught practical marine sciences. For example, underwater welding, fish farming, deep diving , etc. Students once again face the college entrance exams at the end of high school. These exams are said to "make or break" your career.
During the homestay, I attended Miyazu High School along with my host student, Yuka. One of the first differences I noticed was the uniforms. Beginning in junior high school through high school, uniforms are required. The uniforms for the girls is very sailor like. Girls wear long knee socks, a pleated skirt, a sailorish blouse, and tie a blue ribbon around the collar. The uniforms for the boys is not as rigid. The boys wear black pants with belt, and a white button down collared shirt. The uniforms differ from school to school. The school sizes are also much smaller than the average high school in the United States. Miyazu High School had about 700 students, but since each class had an average of 40 students, the smaller population of students was not noticeable.
The class schedule at Miyazu High School was Monday through Friday (the Saturday class was just eliminated and instead, a seventh period was added), from 8:30am to 4:05pm. Each student belongs to a homeroom. While in the United States, students change classes, in Japan, it is the teachers that change classes. Each period was about fifty minutes. The schedule of classes in each day seems to be randomn, it is not a block schedule, and not every class meets everyday. Students have more than just seven classes to fit the seven periods. Thursdays and Fridays are reserved for tests. Students will occasionally have to attend school on Saturdays for a test. When the teacher walks in after the bell, all students are required to stand up and bow to the teacher. The teacher then calls roll, and the lesson begins. At the end of class, the students rise again, and bow to the teacher once more. This refers back to the blanket of respect that everyone carries. At the end of everyday, the homeroom teacher meets with the homeroom class to give any announcements, pass out test cards, and for class cleaning. Each week, a group of students is selected from the class to stay afterschool and clean the classroom. During cleaning, the students push back the rows of desks and sweeps the floor, picks up trash, washes the blackboard, and reorganizes posters on the blackboard. Students take lots of pride and have lots of fun during class cleaning. In just a few short minutes, the classroom is cleaned.
Though from the above descriptions, it may seem like each student is an extremely studious and attentive child, think again. Like in schools in the United States, "If the class is boring, sleep!" During class, I noticed that about half of the class was not paying attention. They were either sleeping or doodling! This was a huge shock. I was always under the impression that students in Asia studied more that 80% of the day. I was apparently very wrong. Teachers on the other hand did not bother to stop the children and regain their attention. The understanding seems to be that that teacher teaches those who want to learn. Discipline is not addressed.
Like schools in the United States, clubs are an integral part to Miyazu High School. But while one student can participate in many clubs in the US, it is not feasible for a student to participate in more than one club in Japan. Each club demands all of the time available after school. Clubs are similar: sports (baseball , tennis, softball, badminton, etc.), band, art, International Communications Club, Flower Arranging Club, architecture club, etc.) There is a club for every interest possible. Each student is very dedicated to the club. For example, while I was visiting Miyazu High School, Yuka took me to visit the band room at around 6:30pm. She told me that band rehearsal ended at 5:30pm. But throughout the halls, the sounds of all the different instruments could be heard. Students stayed after rehearsal to practice the band music. This was dedication beyond belief.
School like it is everywhere is a place for learning and a place to meet people. Having everyone look very similar was just not very helpful!