We were graciously invited to spend the day at Yushin Junior High School, a grade 7-9 school in Matsuyama City.  Up arriving at the school, we exchanged our street shoes for slippers, and headed to the school library for an exchange of greetings with the principal.  After that, we were free to observe classes, take pictures and interact with students.  Each of us was assigned to a class for lunch.  After lunch we had an informative meeting with teacher/administrators.  

Entry gate statue commemorating the first 30 years of Yushin's 60 years as a school.

The principal's office is frequently used for meetings.

After reading the Diary of Anne Frank, a class was moved to create the Anne Frank garden.  The project was funded by a local man.

The nurse's infirmary is available to treat the usual school injuries and is also where eye tests and weight and height measurements are taken.

A group of students set up the volleyball nets for physical education class.  Yushin JR has a nationally competitive volleyball team.

In addition to math, science, social studies, Japanese, English, and PE, students take enrichment courses such as sewing, art, music, woodshop, and cooking.  Class sizes are 30 students.  Students are aware that they will be expected to pass stringent examinations for high school placement.  We observed that teachers tended to focus attention on students who were participating.  If someone was goofing off or not paying attention to the lesson task, it would be his or her tough luck on the exam.  There seemed to be considerable expectation for students to take personal responsibility for their learning.  In general students demonstrated self-discipline during class.     Breaks  between class  were  free

time, and that was an entirely different story.  Middle school students are middle school students everywhere.

Moral education is a new curriculum in Japan.  The lessons are not based on religion, but focus on shared cultural values such as honesty, courtesy, and responsibility.

Just as at the elementary school, students served their own lunch and ate in the classroom.  At the end of the day there is a cleaning period.  Students clean up the school.

The faculty room.  Each teacher has a desk at which he or she can work before or after school and during a break. The school day is quite long compared to most American schools.