High School in Japan: A Choice With a Thousand Details

I still remember the school years as if it were yesterday, the time when we went from middle school to high school, and in my personal case it was in a certain way “natural”. I simply continued my studies at the same school, which had grades from preschool to high school. There was not much to decide, or rather, the decision was to go with the flow of the river. Almost 25 years later, I am faced with the decision of choosing a high school, but this time for my son Ro.

It must be made clear that there are big differences (beyond age), he is attending school in Japan and I did it in Mexico, his school does not offer high school degrees so it is absolutely necessary to find a high school to continue his studies , and finally, the social perception of public and private schools.

Perhaps during my youth my parents were the ones who took care of the bureaucratic details, both from the school and from the government, plus I never had to take a real entrance exam. But the complexity with which this decision is unfolding for us in Japan is unprecedented in my lifetime. Public schools tend to have high admissions competition, and are generally of very high academic standing. In Odawara, the most recognized is Odawara High School, which is public. It’s not the only public high school in town, and there are definitely good options, both public and private. But without a doubt it is the most “precious”.

My son Ro has really liked Odawara High School, his study plan seems very interesting since certain subjects are optional and he can adjust his curriculum a little more to his liking. A certain resemblance to the university system. In addition, the environment seemed very professional, and at the same time with respect for the students. We noticed a great support for the arts clubs, with wonderful works exhibited in the corridors, worthy of many professional art schools that I have known in Mexico and Italy. And without a doubt, sports clubs are highly competitive. A club that he especially liked was Radio, perhaps with a habit of making videos or a direct taste for communication. In any case, an environment is felt in which academics is in balance with other areas of life.

The costs of a high school in Japan can be high. The cost advantages of a public high school are more than obvious, although private schools also offer good scholarships, either by their own foundation or in association with prefectural governments. In either case, one must be aware that there will be sacrifices and expenses that we will have to resolve.

At the same time, there are a couple of private schools that catch Ro’s attention, and he hasn’t decided on any specific one, and he just prepares himself to do his best in any entrance exam.

One thing that I still can’t fully accept in this system is that the middle school is involved in the high school choice process to a level that would not be normal in other parts of the world. I perfectly understand the advice, tips, finally they are a guide for their students even in this process of their lives, but the pressure to choose a high school at this age of adolescence can be overwhelming. Pupils in Japan are used to attending the school that is in their area (primary and secondary) and do not consider more “options”. Suddenly they have to choose a school, and they are not entirely sure what the points to check should be, what it means to be transported every morning to a place that may be very far away, to find a small community with which you have never lived before, etc. .

And to all this, we are adding the repeated insistence of teachers and the government to decide in advance which entrance exams for which schools they are going to take. Students can only take the entrance exam to a public and a private school. The pressure to pass the entrance exam increases considerably when they know that there is no plan B. “Should I take an exam for a school that is easier to get into even if it is not very good or is not the one I like?”, “If I fail, society he will see me badly”, and many other thoughts of doubt and fear are mixed with the new challenges they are about to face, not to mention the simple fact of being teenagers.

Teachers, probably with the best intentions in the world and with their own experience as students, seek to direct students to a “safe” port; avoid flying too high so as not to get sunburned and fall into the sea. A thought that can be very powerful in a society like the Japanese, but in my humble point of view, can be negative for human growth, especially in the youngest. Why are we teaching our youth and children to be afraid of the future? To avoid uncertainty, and surrender to adversity. Isn’t defeat, error, failure the only way to improve and achieve success? Who learned to walk “on the first try”?

I never get tired of saying to Ro, and I would love to be able to say it to all her friends: “It doesn’t matter if you fail, if you fall fighting, if you make mistakes trying. That’s the process of growing up. And at least now, we’re here to help you.” to try again, together we will make plan B, C, D, and as many as necessary!” It is our duty and benefit as a society to help young people to try, to fail and learn, to make mistakes and improve. Push and guide them to be the best version they can be. Not to clip their wings so they don’t fly too high.