Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School

Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School (KGN) is a 3-year (grades 10, 11, and 12) article one private high school in the city of Kyoto, Japan. KGN is one of four institutions overseen by the board of Governors (BOG) of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS). All institutions share the common philosophy of World Peace through Languages, though KGN was founded on the principles of futohfukutsu. There is no direct translation of this term; however, KGN states the following from the scriptures of Nisshinkan:

No matter what difficulties are involved in doing what you need to do and what you have to do, be firm with the mental spirit. As long as you are human, you will be accompanied by struggles. When you do encounter struggles, proceed without fuss and without panic, and you will overcome your struggles and grow as an individual.[1]

Through the principles of futohfukutsu, KGN aims to cultivate strong (tsuyoku), reasonable (tadashiku), and knowledgeable (akaruku) students to contribute towards a developing society through a love of learning, moral principles, and the nourishment of 'self expression' and 'foresight'.[2]

Main gate of Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School with name plate and UNESCO School plate

KGN’s student population of about 950 (fluctuates year by year) mostly commute from within Kyoto City and surrounding communities, with students also commuting from neighboring prefectures Shiga, Osaka, Hyogo and Nara. There is a small student population of returnee students (students who have lived and studied outside Japan for an extended period of time) and students of mixed ethnical backgrounds. Students are provided an array of extracurricular activities in both sports and culture. KGN also strives to provide students with opportunities to explore a range of topics and interests that would not be covered in conventional high school curricula. Since 1990, all grade 12 students of the International & Cultural Studies course participate in the Kansai High School Model United Nations, whose General Assembly is conducted in English. As a result of this and other activities, KGN was recognized as a UNESCO School in 2013 and was chosen to represent Kyoto Prefecture at the 2014 World Youth Forum on Education for Sustainable Development. In 2017, KGN was recognized as a Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Education School.

In 2018, 75% of KGN’s graduates moved on to a 4-year university and 15% to a 2-year vocational college. 3% moved into the workforce. Every year, a very small number of students attend college outside Japan.

KGN currently offers students 4 tracks of study from which to choose: College Preparatory (Tokushin) Course, International and Cultural Studies (IC) Course, General Academic (GA) Course, and Sports Education Course.

Courses offered

Tokushin Course

The Tokushin Course is an advanced academic course for students whose primary focus is to move on to a four-year university, with either a focus in liberal arts or sciences.

International and Cultural Studies Course

The IC Course is an English co-emersion course with faculty of both Japanese and foreign teachers, and is designed for students who have an interest in foreign language and in engaging in foreign relations as a profession, either domestic or abroad. About a third of IC course students are admitted to KUFS every year.

General Academic Course

The GA Course is designed for students who require additional support in academic studies, or who wish to focus extensively on extracurricular club activities.

Sports Education Course

The Sports Education Course is designed for students who focus extensively on scholastic athletic competition, with additional studies in various athletic-related fields.

International Exchange Program

Students are offered opportunities to both study abroad and become hosts for students studying in Japan. As of 2016, KGN is engaged in sister-school relationships with 6 institutions in New Zealand and Canada, offering 1-month, 6-month, and 1-year opportunities to live and study abroad. KGN is also partnered with institutions in Malaysia, the United States, and Australia, offering short-term opportunities for either studying abroad or international exchange through various social media outlets. Also, a handful of students from around the world have experienced both short-term and long-term stays at KGN with students’ families as hosts through various institutions such as the Rotary Club and AFS Intercultural Programs.[3]

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gollark: But seriously, you should try it.
gollark: Must be being ratelimited.
gollark: Or was it mode2? Anyway.
gollark: Oh, yes, mode8.

References
  1. Kengaku no seishin kōkun kōka, 2003
  2. 建学の精神・校訓・教育目標・校歌
  3. Feasibility Study on the inquiry of implementing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School, 1 October 2018
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