Education

Education System ｜ School Entry Procedures 

Education System

The basic Japanese education system consists of six years of elementary school, three years of junior high school, three years of senior high school, and four years of university. School begins in April and the school year ends in March of the following year. Compulsory education consists of elementary and junior high school, and children who will be six years of age as of April 1 of that year are eligible to enter elementary school. 

School Entry Procedures

Kindergarten

Entry application dates and locations are announced at the beginning of October in the Chiba City Newsletter (Chiba Shiseidayori). Contact the Children’s Future Planning Division (TEL 043-245-5100) for more information.

In order to allow as many children as possible to attend kindergarten, the city provides subsidies to the parents or guardians of children aged 3, 4, and 5 who attend private kindergartens and are registered as residents in Chiba City. Contact the Children’s Future Planning Division (TEL 043-245-5100) for more information.

Entering Elementary & Junior High School

Children of foreign nationality are not required by law to attend school, but enrollment and admission to municipal elementary and junior high schools is possible. You may apply at the Citizens’ Affairs Division of your ward office when registering as a foreign resident.

Admission forms are mailed in mid-September to families with children of foreign nationality who are eligible to enter the first grade of elementary school. Those who would like their children to enter school in April should return the application by September 30.

Children who have completed compulsory elementary school education and will be graduating become eligible to enter junior high school. Tuition fees and textbook costs are free of charge at municipal elementary and junior high schools, but there are charges for school meals, excursions, and school supplies.

Please apply directly to the school if you wish to enroll your children at a private elementary or junior high school.

Contact the School Affairs Division of the Board of Education (TEL 043-245-5928) for more details.

Senior High School Admission

An admissions examination is required in order to enter a senior high school in Japan. The child should also have reached 15 years of age by April 1 of that year and should have completed nine years of scholastic education in another country or should have graduated from, or have the prospect of graduating from, a junior high school in Japan.

 

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