In Japan, education at elementary and junior high schools is compulsory. The school year is from April to March of the following year.

• Elementary school (for six years): Six to 12 years of age
  * Enrollment takes place in the first April after the age of six.
• Junior high school (for three years): 12 to 15 years of age
  * Enrollment takes place in the first April after the age of 12.

There is no obligation for children of foreign nationality to attend school, but you can have your child attend municipal elementary and junior high schools if you wish.
In Japan, the grade at school is determined by the birthday of your child, so it may be different from the grade at the school in your own country.

1 Going on to higher education

[Enrollment procedure]

The "Miyazaki City Board of Education" will send an enrollment application form to the parents of a child who is to enter elementary or junior high school in the following year around October.
If you wish your child to attend school, fill out the application form with necessary information and submit it to the "Miyazaki City Board of Education". We specify a school to be enrolled in based on your address in the Basic Resident Register, and send you an Enrollment Notice by the end of January.
Submit the Enrollment Notice to the reception desk on the day of the enrollment ceremony.

2 School transfer within the city or from outside the city

[School transfer procedure]

When submitting a Resident Transfer Notification to the Citizen's Section, etc., you should mention that you have a school-aged child in your household and that you wish to transfer him/her to a municipal elementary or junior high school.
You are guided to the "School Education Division" of the "Board of Education" and submit the application form for school attendance. We specify a school to be enrolled in based on your address in the Basic Resident Register, and send you an Enrollment Notice.
The Enrollment Notice should be submitted to the school office.

[Others] If any of the following is applicable, contact the "School Education Division".

• If the Enrollment Notice does not reach you or contains a wrong entry.
• If you are worried about enrollment due to illness or other reasons
• If you are worried about your child’s Japanese ability
• If you have any other unclear points

3 Cost

Elementary and junior high school tuition and textbook fees are free. Other learning materials and school lunches, etc., are provided at cost.

(Inquiries) ※Japanese only