Back in my naive days, I remember standing in the parking lot in front of our apartment, talking with a neighbor. My oldest child had just turned 3 and I mentioned I needed to start thinking about what preschool to send her to.
Her startled look took me by surprise. Turns out I was already late to the game.
In short order, she whipped out her phone, made a call and got me set up in a program that had already started and led to enrollment for the next year.
For a person who likes to plan the route ahead where I can, I realized I was out of my league here.
Fast-forward. When my youngest child started that same pre-preschool program, I made a timely friend (actually, the above-mentioned friend connected us, I suspect she knew we could help each other). Her son would be starting the same pre-preschool program, which was a new school for them. But, she also had a daughter who was in the 6th grade. And as we immediately connected, I knew that this was going to be a huge blessing from the Lord for us.
That’s because I knew a bit about navigating preschool and elementary school by this time, but sixth grade ended in a cloudy mist and I had no idea what was beyond that. This lady had gone through all the processes herself and would now be freshly guiding her own daughter through the challenging season.
And thankfully, she has been a jewel for me to learn about the enigma that is “Juken”.
Basically, getting into high school here is like getting into college back home, only more complicated and a narrower road to walk… and it feels like it is the entire aim of middle school. Back home in America, college is certainly a big deal and a challenge– I remember the days of college applications, ACT/SAT scores and waiting for the envelope to come. But, you do have a choice if you will attend or not.
While high school isn’t a technically a requirement in Japan, it absolutely is– in that unspoken way that Japan loves. And the opportunities seem to be a bit wider and more varied in America, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way here.
Back in January, I went to an open house at our local junior high that parents of current 5-6th graders could attend. All through the halls were posters of different high schools and even a directory book of ones in our area. Some high schools have festivals that are open to prospective students, and it’s not uncommon to start attending them early on and figuring out which school will fit you and finding out what their grade requirements are and if you could possibly qualify and pass the test.
Getting back to Juken– which means “entrance exam”. Everyone does Juken in their third year of middle school (equivalent 9th grade). There are public schools (which most want to get into because they are more way more affordable, but often more difficult) and private schools, which have various programs and fancy pants campuses they offer.
You can test into various private schools (and pay extra if you want to have a second chance to test the same school in case you didn’t pass the first one). Did I mention these tests are like $100-$200 apiece? They happen in January, and you’ll find out within a day or two if you passed. Some of these private schools have a direct path into college or have English course work, and are first choice for many.
You pay to hold your spot and, if you’re hoping for a more affordable school, you cross your fingers that you’ll pass the public school juken, which happens at the end of February. All the schools in your prefecture test on the same date, so you can only test into one. Do you try for a higher level and risk not getting in? Or do you stick with the lower level school that you’re likely to pass, but might limit college options for the future?
There’s a lot of meetings between parents and teachers, who act as school counselors, over the course of the middle school. They help you try to figure out what options you might have.
Then, a part that blows my mind:
With school starting in early April, you’re finally notified at the beginning of March if you have been accepted and then go through the frenzy of information meetings, setting up payments, ordering uniforms, school books, getting commuting passes set up, etc.
ALL of that work to make it to the juken season, and you don’t find out anything until the last second!
It’s a whole road to “Juken”, and it seems like a hair-raising experience for everyone.
I’m so grateful for my friend, who has talked me through all the things that need to be considered, the resources available, what the “naishinsho” is– basically, your school records during junior high sent to your prospective school for consideration: your grades being awarded a score (the equivalent of a GPA), and your attendance (you really don’t want to miss too many days!), conduct and attitude, club activities (which meet over school breaks and on Saturdays as well), and any work you’ve taken on (class president, for example, or if you’ve taken English proficiency or kanji proficiency tests and have certification), etc.
This has been a type of research project for me over the last 3-4 years as I’ve been gathering and storing information in the back of my brain like a little chipmunk. It’s too much for one post, so there will be more to come on this later, for the benefit of anyone coming after me, trying to figure this out.
I hope you’ll enjoy this ride with us as we experience the road to Juken.
Ninja Mom 