High school is a critical phase in the life of a child. It is the last phase of school that will prepare them for university education. Moreover, the skills and knowledge that a child receives in high school are extremely important for any career. Therefore, choosing the right high school for your child is extremely important.

There are several things to look at while choosing a high school. These factors will ensure that your child receives the most comprehensive education during these four years. So, here are seven factors that you should consider while choosing a high school in Japan.

7 factors to consider while choosing a high school in Japan

1. College preparation

One of the main purposes of high school is to get children ready for a college education. Preparation for college applications and entrance exams is crucial for high school students. If you are determined to send your child to college, you must choose a high school that prepares its students for college.

Check how many students go on to study in colleges from this school and how many of them get into a college of their choice. The answer to these questions will help you determine if the school is right for your child.

2. Size of the class

When choosing a good high school in Japan, look for the class size and teacher-to-student ratio. The smaller the class size, the better. When fewer students are present in each class, a teacher can pay individual attention to every student and help each one of them individually.

The class size also determines if a teacher can maintain discipline and decorum in the classroom. When there are fewer children in a classroom, a teacher can monitor each child individually and ensure that there is no unnecessary chaos.

3. Counselling programmes

Counselling programs and resources provide surprising benefits to students. During these extremely important years, children can feel overwhelmed or confused. A mentoring program can help them become more focused and dedicated to their studies and preparations.

Make sure that your chosen high school has mentoring and add-on programs. This will ensure that your child can receive support if they need it. 

4. Tour the campus in high schools in Japan

When you first start selecting a high school, make sure to take a campus tour to see the school’s culture. By visiting the school during working hours, you can see how teachers and students interact and treat each other.

Moreover, you’ll also notice whether the school’s culture promotes critical thinking, creativity, and extra-curricular activities to keep their students engaged in meaningful activities. Visiting the school campus will help you determine if the school’s culture aligns with your goals for your child.

5. Extra-curriculars

A school that provides students with the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities is always a good choice. Extracurricular activities are essential for the development of different skills. It is also a great way to encourage students to spend their free time productively.

These activities can also promote ideas of teamwork, co-operation and healthy competition. Therefore, a school offering different extra-curricular options is always a top priority.

Schools in Japan, including Japanese kindergartens, put emphasis on extracurricular activities since they want children to develop their skills in creative arts and sports.

6. Comprehensive education

A school that considers all aspects of education should always be a top priority for parents. Education today is not solely focused on studying the basic and important subjects, but rather it focuses on widening the student’s mind to allow for critical thinking and other skills.

It is also essential to choose a school that supports its students in multiple ways, like providing extra care to a student that has a learning difficulty.

7. The school’s philosophy

When you admit your child to a high school in Japan, you want to make sure that the school’s philosophy aligns with yours. Each school has a different philosophy, and their educational style will highly depend on it.

From Japanese kindergarten to high school, each school bases their ideals on certain values. So, it is essential to understand the school’s philosophy to understand if your child will fit into the school. If you like the values that the school is built upon, you should definitely consider sending your child to that school.

To conclude

Your child’s future greatly depends upon the type of school you choose. As a parent, it can get overwhelming to choose between so many types of schools. From Japanese kindergartens to high schools, there are so many options to choose from.

However, once you look out for these points mentioned above, the search for a high school in Japan will narrow down significantly. If you are relocating to Japan with a teenager ready for high school, you should consider GIIS, one of the best international high schools in Japan.

Aaronwatson