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Dalton X High School: Pioneering a New Era in Education

Starting January 2026, the Dalton X High School, established by the Kawai Juku Group, will introduce an innovative educational program unlike any seen before in Japan. This hybrid model merges inquiry-based learning, boarding elements, and online education, aiming to foster the leaders of tomorrow.

About Dalton X High School

Scheduled to open in April 2027, Dalton X High School (referred to as Dalton X) is set to become Japan's first wide-area correspondence high school that combines exploratory learning with boarding and online education. The school aims to immerse students in hands-on educational experiences that enable them to confront and solve real-world challenges. The inspiration for this groundbreaking approach comes from the educational models of renowned institutions, such as Minerva University in the United States.

A distinctive feature of Dalton X's curriculum is its practical exploration initiatives, which place students in various local communities for interactive learning experiences. Students in their second year will engage in these explorations for three-month intervals across up to four different regional bases, delving into fieldwork while simultaneously participating in online subject lessons. The school's first and third-year students will also spend half a year at the Iwate Ichinoseki campus and at the NTT Central Training Center in Chofu City, operated through a partnership with NTT East Japan Corporation.

Special Programs Launching in 2026

To offer early insights into this unique educational model, Dalton X will host two special programs:

1. "Marutto Tankyu" - Spring 2026 Program

The "Marutto Tankyu" initiative aims to produce next-generation global leaders through an inquiry-based learning approach. This program will allow students to step outside their traditional classroom settings and explore a range of regional issues through experiential learning and community engagement. Participants will have the chance to experience elements from Dalton X's second-year curriculum. Specific details will be released soon.

2. Online Series "X Seminar for Changing the Future"

To ensure accessibility, Dalton X is launching a webinar series titled "X Seminar for Changing the Future," designed for participation from across the nation. This series will feature special guest lectures and roundtable discussions centered around themes of future education. The first seminar is themed "What Skills Will Children Need to Navigate Society in Ten Years?" with guest speaker Riki Funabashi, who played a pivotal role in launching the Ministry of Education's “Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN” initiative, alongside Terukatsu Furuya, the director of the Dalton X High School opening preparation office.

This engaging discussion will explore not just language skills or study abroad experiences, but the essential capacities children will need to carve their paths in the evolving landscape of tomorrow's society.

Accompanying the seminar will also be an informational session about the Dalton X High School, welcoming participants who are curious about the new educational framework. This event is a valuable opportunity for students, particularly those with strong curiosity or potential yet to be unlocked, to begin their journeys in inquiry, solving problems, and collaborating.

X Seminar Details

Date & Program

• - Date: January 25 (Sunday)
• - Session 1: 10:30 - 11:30 AM - Discussion: "What Skills Will Children Need to Navigate Society in Ten Years?"
• - Session 2: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Dalton X High School Information Session (Q&A included)

(Note: Participants can join either session.)

Speakers

• - Riki Funabashi (Executive Advisor of the Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN project, Ministry of Education)
• - Terukatsu Furuya (Director of Dalton X High School Opening Preparation Office)

Target Audience

While primarily aimed at new junior high school students and their parents, the event invites participation from teachers and anyone interested in innovative educational approaches.

Capacity

200 participants

Fee

Free

Participation Format

Webinar (Participants can join with video and mic off)

Registration

To register, please visit the following website: Dalton X Seminar Registration

About Riki Funabashi

Born in 1970 in Kanagawa, Japan, Riki Funabashi spent his early years abroad before graduating from university and joining Itochu Corporation. In subsequent years, he founded Will Seed, providing experiential and participatory educational programs to corporations, municipalities, and schools. In 2009, he was recognized as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum and later became the project director for the Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN initiative in 2014, continuing to serve as an Executive Advisor since 2020. Funabashi is also the founder of the Global Education Support Foundation Beyond Tomorrow and serves as a director at Satonoba University.

Future Plans

The X Seminar series continues with its second iteration in February, tentatively titled “Where Does Inquiry Lead? Reflecting on Learning in High School as Now a University Student,” providing ongoing discussions about the future of education and its impacts on students today.