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Elementary school

Admission

In Onomichi City, the Board of Education will deliver a notice to every households with children the year prior to said children's entrance to an elementary school. Although there is no obligation under the law for foreigners to send their children to school while in Japan, foreign parents and guardians will also receive this notice and they are welcome to send their children to the nearest public elementary school.

If such is the wish of parents and guardians, children with disabilities can enter schools with specific programs adapted to children with disabilities, if such programs exist.

Requests for admission can be processed at all times. Should you have moved to Onomichi from a different municipality, after the beginning of the school year, please contact the Onomichi City Board of Education (in Japanese) to enquire about having your child frequent an elementary school near you. Schooling can begin the day following application.

At the time of writing this (July 2008), there were no private elementary schools in Onomichi City.

Expenses

As elementary school education is compulsory in Japan, public school feels and texts are free. However, the cost of school supplies, school meals, excursions and school activities must be shouldered by the students' parents or guardian. Should it be found, after investigation, that the financial situation of the parents or guardians warrants it, financial support will be made available. Please contact the school your child is attending to obtain more details.

Life in an elementary school in Onomichi

In Japan, children enter elementary schools in April following their 6th birthday. Early on, they are encouraged to follow their group in everything and observe a rather strict classroom discipline. Most schools in Onomichi have a school uniform and training wears, and your child will be expected to wear them too.

In most cases, children are instructed to listen silently while their teacher speaks, and "open discussion" occurs in controlled situations.

Attendance and punctuality are the norm in every school. Although it slightly varies according to schools, a typical school day begins at about 8 o'clock. Children are expected to arrive to school 10 to 30 minutes before school starts. If your child will be late or absent, please notify the school. Dismissal time may vary according to the days, but it is always scheduled in advance. In the case of school events, daily schedules may be changed but parents will be notified of any changes beforehand.

It is common for children to walk to school and back in groups, along a designated path, so please instruct your children to follow their teachers' instructions.

In Japan, it is usually the children who clean up the classrooms, hallways, stairs and school grounds, at a designated time. They will be expected to perform the task set to them by their teachers.

At certain elementary schools, it is common for children to stay after classes to do their homework in groups, in the safety of the school environment. It is thought to be helpful to insure the children will assiduously do their homework, as well as allowing some parents and guardians to return home after their day at work.

For information specific to a given school's environment and curriculum, please contact the school directly.