English
English
ABOUT US
Message from the Principal
Hiroshima Jogakuin is a school grounded in Christian values. At the heart of our education is the belief that every student is irreplaceable and loved. Based on this belief, we offer many opportunities for students to engage in peacebuilding activities and to deepen connections with society. Students develop not only strong academic skills but also a broad cultural knowledge that can empower them to take on new challenges with confidence. At Hiroshima Jogakuin, you will find a place to grow, to be inspired, and to shape a future that is uniquely yours.
The School Badge
The school badge symbolizes the shield in “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephes.6:16) The Latin words on the shield read Cum Deo Laboramus, which means “We are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” (1 Cor. 3:9) The flower in the center is an iris, which Miss Gaines liked best.
History
The Rev. Teikichi
Sunamoto
Miss Nannie B. Gaines
(1860-1932)
| Oct. 1886 | The Rev. Teikichi Sunamoto, after returning from the USA, started a school for girls. Reading, Morals and English were taught at first. |
|---|---|
| Apr. 1887 | Miss Nannie B. Gaines (1860–1932) was sent here from her church in the US, later becoming the first principal (September 1889). |
| Feb. 1932 | The school changed its name to the present Hiroshima Jogakuin. |
| Aug. 1945 | At 8:15 A.M., an atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima, taking the lives of more than 350 students and teachers. All the school buildings were destroyed. |
| Oct. 1945 | Lessons resumed using part of another school. |
| Aug. 1947 | A temporary school building and an auditorium were built on the present campus. |
| Jan. 1964 | The four-story building for the high school was completed. |
| Jan. 1972 | The gymnasium and an outdoor swimming pool were completed. |
| Apr. 1986 | Gaines Memorial Hall was completed as part of the 100th anniversary commemoration. |
| Aug. 1990 | The new building for the junior high was completed. |
| Jul. 1997 | The Iris Center was completed, including an indoor swimming pool. |
| Apr. 2010 | The new high school building was completed. |
| Mar. 2014 | Jogakuin was designated as a Super Global High School. |
| Oct. 2016 | Jogakuin commemorated the 130th anniversary of its founding. |
| Apr. 2019 | Independent Research Projects and the Extensive Program were started as new educational programs. |
| Apr. 2020 | Personal computers for each student. |
| Apr. 2021 | Library renovated and pipe organ installed in the high school chapel. |
Our Philosophy
Our first principal Miss Gaines came to Hiroshima as a missionary at the age of twenty-seven. She worked for Jogakuin for forty-five years. She had a great sense of mission, determination, courage, and patience. These formed the founding principles of the school and still remain so. Since its foundation, Jogakuin has always educated girls so that they would live their lives in a positive manner.
One important teaching in the Bible which supported Miss Gaines was, “Love your neighbors as yourself.” Jogakuin has encouraged students to be concerned about their neighbors and the society where they live, without thinking just about themselves. That is why we place importance on education of religion, peace, international understanding and human rights, so that students can experience loving their neighbors at school.
EDUCATION
Education Based on the Christian Faith
Hiroshima Jogakuin is one of the oldest Methodist mission schools in Japan. Teikichi Sunamoto and Nannie B. Gaines are the names we cannot forget as the people who made the first foundation of the school. The school motto: “We are God’s fellow workers” means that we should try to live in harmony with our neighbors and thus realize peace by working together in the world.
In June, we have “A Week to Pray for Peace.” During this week, we invite a special guest speaker who is working for world peace. The Student Peace Committee also does voluntary work, like fund-raising. In the “Christian Emphasis Week” in November, students have important opportunities to think about how to live and how society should be constructed, listen to guest speakers, and do volunteer activities such as working for and interacting with physically challenged people.
Education of Girls
When the school was founded in 1886, education of women was still very basic in Japan. The founding of the school was therefore meaningful in order to educate women to be independent in society. This tradition remains unchanged. Our graduates are working throughout the world.
Combined Junior and Senior High School
Education at Jogakuin is completed along the lines of a six-year curriculum, not only in each of the subjects, but in peace and human rights education.
English Language Teaching
English has always been a core subject taught at Hiroshima Jogakuin. It is taught not only as an academic subject, but also as a useful tool to help students communicate and participate in the global community. Small classes and activities focus on students using English as a means of communication. Students use English to guide people from abroad around Peace Park, participate in an all-English event, English Trip, and compete in school speech and presentation contests. The English Department has also published several books: Summer Cloud, essays written by Jogakuin students and parents who suffered because of the atomic bomb; My Hiroshima, a children’s picture book written by a graduate who was 13 at the time of the bombing; as well as five original texts written on the topics of Hiroshima, Jogakuin, Literature, Peace, and Women.
Global Education
The school provides students with opportunities to meet people from abroad so that they will learn about different cultures in the world. Some of the regular opportunities include: trips abroad in summer and spring; accepting international exchange students each year; and one year study abroad programs. Apart from those, several groups of overseas guests come to visit us every year and Jogakuin hosts regular peace conferences in the summer with many international participants.
Human Rights Education
We hope each one of the students will have a meaningful school life and grow into understanding and compassionate adults. Everyone has the right to live happily and must try to guarantee their own and other people’s rights. We try to educate students so that they will be important members of the community without discrimination, starting with looking at themselves and paying attention to other people around them.
Peace Education
Students’ Peace Studies curriculum begins with Hiroshima and moves toward encompassing global perspectives. To forever remember the loss of so many lives caused by the atomic bomb, Hiroshima Jogakuin teachers compiled Natsugumo (Summer Cloud), an anthology of essays on the atrocity. In junior high school, students study Summer Cloud and the children’s picture book, My Hiroshima. Through this they learn about the devastating effects of the atomic bomb and its aftermath. They also learn to share the Hiroshima story by guiding Japanese and international guests around Peace Park. In senior high school, students learn about Hawaii, Okinawa, and American perspectives in World War II .
Student Activities
Student life at Hiroshima Jogakuin is full of fun, variety, and challenges to nurture growth, independence, and confidence. Working together in school clubs, committees, and as volunteers for school events such as Cultural Festival and Sports Day, junior and senior high school students practice teamwork, feel empowered, and learn organizational skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
CONTACT US
Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School
11-32 Kaminobori-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, 730-0014, JAPAN
Tel: +81-(0)82-228-4131
Fax: +81-(0)82-227-5376