Our founders established our school in 1896. This year marks the 129th anniversary of our institution. Since its establishment, in the spirit of our school’s principles, “To love truth, being sincere; to respect harmony, being self-determined; to develop a spirit of enterprise, being broad-minded,” our school has produced over 39,000 graduates and has cultivated human resources with a rich sense of humanity who aim to contribute towards creating a better society. In 2009, Kumamoto Prefectural Yatsushiro Junior High School became the first integrated junior and senior high school in Kumamoto Prefecture. Now in its 16th year, we are adding to our long history and tradition.
Today, our society overflows with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, as the acronym “VUCA” represents. In an era of unpredictability and uncertainty, one must have the skills to face change positively, cope with others, and work through problems via trial and error. At Yatsushiro Junior and Senior High School, in the spirit of our school’s principles and distinctive educational practices, we are cultivating an adventurous, hardworking, and resourceful spirit within our students. We hope this spirit enables them to face new challenges courageously and succeed in our modern global society.
In March 2024, our school applied for candidacy for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP). Currently, Yatsushiro Senior High School is considering the introduction of the IB Diploma Program (DP), which will become highly regarded worldwide by 2027. Utilizing the program, we aim to cultivate a spirit of inquiry, logical and critical thinking skills, and an enthusiasm for life-long learning within our students. Moreover, through “inquiry associated with the community,” including viewpoints on SDGs, overseas training, and various educational programs, we nurture global-minded human resources who accept different values, communicate well with others, and challenge themselves while disregarding the fear of failure.
Yatsushiro Junior and Senior High School is a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and pursuing authorization as an IB World School.(March 2024)
IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.**
*Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org
**Mission Statement from the IB
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. Yatsushiro High School is an interested school in the International Baccalaureate DiplomaProgramme. We are aiming to introduce this programme.
