WELCOME TO
AOYAMA GAKUIN
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Matthew 5:13ff.
ABOUT
AOYAMA GAKUIN
Aoyama Gakuin traces its origins to a school founded in 1874 by Dora Schoonmaker, a Methodist missionary from the United States, with the help of Tsuda Sen, a Japanese Christian. In 1878, Julius Soper opened the Koukyou Gakusha Boy's School, and the following year the Methodist Mission Seminary (Mikai Theological Institute) was established by Robert S. Maclay. These are the earliest foundations of what later became Aoyama Gakuin.
Today Aoyama Gakuin is made up of independent branches at every level, from kindergarten through graduate school, and serves over 23,000 students. It is a member of the Association of Christian Schools in Japan (Kirisutokyo Gakko Kyouiku Doumei).
Aoyama Gakuin Senior High School was formed as a new-system senior high school in 1948 as part of the postwar education reforms of secondary education, in which the former Higher Division for boys was renamed as the Senior High Division, and the former Women's Higher Division was renamed as the Girls' Senior High Division. In 1950, graduates of the new Junior High School advanced on to the Senior High School; entrants from other junior high schools were also welcomed, and the new coeducational Senior High School was formed.
There are about 1200 students in three grade levels. About 60% of the student body comes by recommendation from the Aoyama Gakuin junior high School, and 40% enter by examination at the first-year level.
About 85% of the graduates of the Senior High enter Aoyama Gakuin University .
OUR EDUCATIONAL
POLICY
In accordance with the educational policy of Aoyama Gakuin, we strive to build individual character and to support self-realization. We also aim to nurture people who use their God-given abilities for the benefit of others, who are glad to live in community with their neighbors, and who contribute to a peaceful society.
01
THE AOYAMA APPROACH
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Christian education is the core of this school, which was founded by American missionaries.
The three pillars of religious education at the Senior High School are the daily worship, the weekly Bible classes, and various events. At the Senior High School, we hope that through these programs, students will encounter the love of Christ, and leave our nest as young people who will contribute to society.
02
THE AOYAMA APPROACH
PEACE AND CO-EXISTENCE STUDIES
Peace and coexistence studies aims to develop character in individuals who can always support their neighbors. Students learn about the history of war on a school trip to Nagasaki. They think about "coexistence with others" through writing research papers. They visit disaster-stricken areas and help with reconstruction efforts. They visit the Philippines and East Timor to meet people living resiliently despite poverty. Through these activities, we hope that students will take the first step toward becoming peacemakers in the future.
03
THE AOYAMA APPROACH
UNIVERSITY-HIGH SCHOOL
COLLABORATION
Taking advantage of the benefits of a comprehensive education system, our school operates a high school-university collaboration initiative with Aoyama Gakuin University, offering programs such as "Taking university classes", "Introductory Academic Courses", and "International Understanding and Study Abroad Preparation Programs."
By exposing students to specialized academic fields at an early age, we aim to clarify each student's interests and increase their motivation to learn.
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES
One of the goals for international exchange at our school is "Sharing Diversity of Values". This is based on the teaching of Jesus Christ that all the people on the Earth should seek to live in "love and peace" with one another.
The school prioritizes the four main initiatives mentioned below to enable students to acquire an international mindset and diversity of values.
●Reintegration of students returning from abroad
●Short-term programs for studying abroad
●Integration of long-term exchange students
●Long-term overseas study programs for students from our school
COURSES
Bible Studies
Bible classes are the foundation of learning at Aoyama Gakuin, where the school aim is to develop people who will become the “Salt of the earth and the light of the world”, as per the school motto.
Foreign Languages
The school offers both compulsory and elective English classes. Compulsory English classes are studied at a speed best suiting each student's level and proficiency. A wide variety of elective classes to meet the diverse needs of students are offered. In addition to English, elective classes include French, German, Chinese, and Korean. All classes aim to help students cultivate global awareness, so that they can contribute to society as a whole and transcend national and cultural differences.
Japanese Language
The Japanese Language Department’s goal is to "foster reading comprehension, and to help students acquire expressive abilities". Through literature from ancient times to the present, we aim to deepen interest in Japanese culture as a whole.
Geography, History, and Civics
We look at social issues from three broad perspectives: history, geography, and civics. In elective classes, students develop the ability to independently set their own goals and learn through group learning, discussion, and presentations.
Mathematics
Mathematics has been developed over a long period of time through the great efforts of our predecessors. Keeping in mind the idea of learning mathematics as a form of "culture," we aim to cultivate the mathematical literacy essential for modern civilization. Through studying mathematics, students will acquire basic mathematical skills, which will foster flexible logical thinking and creativity.
Science
It is sometimes said that science has been at the root of many problems, including environmental ones, but is that actually the case? To enable students to answer this question for themselves, we rationally analyze problems and find a way to solve them. In all science classes, we place utmost importance on learning from nature and focusing on experiments and observations.
Health and Physical Education
We provide necessary exercise for adolescents, and also hold events that allow students to take initiative, work together, and cooperate creatively. At the same time, we focus on students acquiring health knowledge that will be beneficial throughout their lives.
Home Economics
Our aim is to not only teach basic knowledge and skills for daily life, but to additionally encourage students to pay attention to issues important to contemporary families, and to equip them with the ability to design their own individual paths.
Art
Students can choose from four subjects: music, art, crafts, and calligraphy. These encourage students to use innate skills and knowledge as a foundation to hone their sensibilities, express themselves, and deepen mutual understanding with others.
Information
Students learn the importance of information processing and its impact. They learn the mechanisms and usage of hardware and software as tools, and practice problem solving and inquiry-based learning.
Freely elective subjects
The newly established "Freely elective subjects " in the revised curriculum are available to students who wish to study them, allowing them to delve deeper into subjects based on their own concerns. Some of these subjects are cross-disciplinary.
CALENDAR
Entrance Ceremony
Reception for New Students
Homeroom Day
Volleyball Tournament
Music Festival
Green Camp
Summer Camp
AUG
Homestay in Canada
School Festival
School Trip for Second-Year Students
Dance Performance by Second-Year Female Students
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Snow Camp
White Camp
Sport Event for Second-Year Male Students
Graduation Ceremony
FACILITIES
School exterior
School exterior
School exterior
Schoolyard fountain
Auditorium
Library
Classroom
Music room
Chemistry lab
Cooking room
Japanese-style room
Cafeteria
Gymnasium
Judo hall
Training room
Ground
CLUB ACTIVITIES
There are three types of clubs at the school: clubs, interest groups, and special clubs. Special clubs are clubs whose activities are overseen by the school, such as activities based on the Christian faith. Over 80% of students participate in club activities.
ADMISSION
Aoyama Gakuin Senior High School has three types of entrance examinations: for students applying for entry by recommendation, for students returning from overseas, and for general students.
The recommendation examination tests the students' enthusiasm for school life, not their specialized scholastic ability. Specifically, we use dossiers, aptitude tests in Japanese, mathematics, and English and interviews to select.
The returning student examination uses aptitude tests in Japanese, mathematics, and English, and interviews and dossiers of students' time spent overseas to determine the basic suitability of students.
The general examinations determine the suitability of students through a total score in academic tests in three subjects—Japanese, mathematics, and English. Student overall performance in junior high school is also taken into consideration.
CONTACT
- ADDRESS
4-4-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-8366, Japan
- TEL
03-3409-3880
- FAX
03-3409-5784