Enrolling your child in a local school

Preview

Enrolment in public primary and junior high schools is handled by the board of education of the municipality where you live. Complete your moving-in notification and residence registration first, then go to discuss enrolment. Children of foreign nationality are not subject to Japan's compulsory education requirement, but they are accepted into public schools when a guardian asks, and tuition and textbooks are free on the same terms as for Japanese nationals. School meals, materials, and uniforms are charged separately. State your wish to enrol clearly, because the process usually begins with that request rather than automatically. Which school your child attends is normally determined by your address. If your child needs Japanese language support, ask about it at the enrolment meeting: some municipalities provide dedicated staff or withdrawal lessons, and the level of provision varies a great deal between them. Before term starts there is usually a health check, a list of supplies to prepare, and a walk of the route to school. Many schools also assume some guardian participation in events or duty rotas; the year's calendar is handed out at the pre-enrolment briefing. Transfers mid-year are accepted, though you may be asked for a certificate of attendance from the previous school. Confirm the exact documents with the board of education rather than assuming.