#Japan #Takigawa High School #After-School Day Service #Kita, Tokyo

New After-School Day Service at Takigawa High School

Located in Kita, Tokyo, the Takigawa High School, operated by Freed Education Co., has officially opened its new venture, the "After-School Day Service: Takigawa High School After School," as of April 1. This facility is positioned in a prime location, just an 8-minute walk from both JR Kitakabayashi and JR Ukima Funado stations, making it convenient for students to access.

Originally a Japanese restaurant, this space has been transformed into a welcoming environment designed to support children and students facing daily challenges. Although the storefront and signage are still forthcoming, the focus is on providing a warm, Japanese-style atmosphere.

What is After-School Day Service?

The After-School Day Service is specifically designed for children aged 6 to 18 who face difficulties in their daily lives. The program offers developmental support services during after-school hours, available on weekdays from approximately 2 PM to 6:30 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM. Each child receives tailored support to help them develop essential daily living skills and adapt to group environments.

Eligibility for the service primarily targets children with disabilities or developmental characteristics enrolled in elementary, middle, or high schools. To access the service, families must obtain a "Recipient Certificate" through a request to their local district, supported by a recommendation from the child's primary care physician.

Vision for Takigawa High School After School

The decision to open this After-School Day Service stemmed from recognizing that the challenges faced in modern education extend beyond just absenteeism. The initiative aims to address two key points: the first is to provide support to at-risk students before they become disengaged from school, and the second is to nurture those who have already become withdrawn, helping them reintegrate and succeed in their academics thereafter. Initially, a tutoring center was considered for this purpose, but it became clear that such an approach would not sufficiently support at-risk students.

While tutoring can help those who have become disengaged, it does not address the preventative aspect. As a result, while exploring different options, they landed on the After-School Day Service model, which fills this gap effectively. The program also aims to provide a space for students beyond typical hours, ensuring that the environment is conducive to growth and learning.

Aiming to cater specifically to the needs of students with conditions like Orthostatic Dysregulation, this After-School Day Service presents an ideal environment for them to thrive, particularly in the evening hours. Also unique to Takigawa High School is the opportunity for experienced professionals, who have directly worked with withdrawn students for over seven years, to maximize their impact in this setting.

Expanding Facilities

The vision for this service has been in development for several years, with active steps taken last fall. Initially, the search for a suitable space began with stringent requirements, such as a minimum of 2.47 square meters per student to establish an instructional training room. With a capacity of just 10 students, the facility must include a 25-square-meter training area, consultation rooms, and office space while adhering to safety and emergency protocols. Finding a venue that meets these specifications was challenging, but they were fortunate to discover the ideal location: the Sanveil Hashimoto.

Employing the unique Japanese aesthetic of the facility, including tatami mat areas, the instructional training room boasts an impressive 8 square meters per student—significantly exceeding the required space—and is among the largest of its kind in the region. This roomy setting allows for a multitude of educational activities and development programs.

Though currently bare and expansive, there is a desire not to stockpile supplies from the outset. Instead, the goal is to acquire resources that meet the actual needs of incoming students as they enroll, truly embodying the student-first philosophy that has guided the institution for the past seven years.

In excitement, the team looks forward to seeing what types of children will come through their doors and how they will shape this new educational environment.

Launching a Dedicated Website

In addition to the existing official website of Takigawa High School, a dedicated webpage for the After-School Day Service has been created. The official site will receive updates and information, while the new resource enhances communication with potential students and families. As the service has just commenced, there are still open slots available for enrollment, and outreach will continue until the capacity of 10 students per day is reached.

Aiming for Excellence

The After-School Day Service aims to sustain and improve physical functions through activities such as stretching and light exercise. With a focus on ensuring a dedicated ratio of qualified staff to students, they hope to facilitate transitional support for various educational pathways, whether in high school or beyond.

They apply their expertise gained as "experts in disengaged education" to aid not only those who are struggling but also all children. The ambition now includes blending After-School programming alongside their free school initiatives to create numerous success stories that can inspire others across the nation.

The mission of Freed Education Co. is clear: to strive toward being recognized not just as the best free school in the nation but also to establish the most exceptional After-School Day Service in Japan. They are committed to supporting as many children and their families as possible through dedicated effort and heartfelt ambition.

Contact: Freed Education Co. Director Mr. Takeshi Toyoda