Our school was founded in 1896 as the Yatsushiro branch of Kumamoto Prefectural Seiseiko Junior High School, and this year marks the 127th anniversary of the school’s founding. Since established, the school has produced over 38,000 graduates, and has cultivated a culture of both liberal and martial arts to nurture students who are vigorous and enterprising. In 2009, Kumamoto Prefectural Yatsushiro Junior High School was opened as the first integrated junior high and senior high school in Kumamoto Prefecture, and now in its 14th year, we are continuing to add to our long history and tradition.
It is often said that we are living in an era of rapid change and unpredictability. In such an era of uncertainty, we are expected to cope with changes independently, enthusiastically, and flexibly. Through everyday lessons and other educational activities here at Yatsushiro Junior High School and Senior High School, which are backed by our long history and tradition, we are nurturing students to obtain an enterprising spirit which leads them to new challenges and the ability to succeed in this global society.
In March 2022, we formulated our own school mission. Now is the time for the start of this mission. Through our integrated junior and senior high school curriculum, we aim to foster students to become independent global citizens with an appreciation of the diversity of the international community and the understanding of the importance of human rights for all. Furthermore, we want to nurture high ideals that also encourage collaborative and constructive behavior.
As such, Kumamoto Prefectural Yatsushiro Junior & Senior High School is considering the introduction of the Middle Year Programme and Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate, which are highly regarded worldwide.
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.
