I am a 14-year-old student. I was born in Japan but lived in the United States for three years. I went to school in both countries. Schools in Japan and America are different. They have different rules, classes, and ways to learn. I like both, but they feel very different. I want to share what I learned about education in America and Japan. How are schools organized? What do students do? Why are they different? This is my story about the differences between American and Japanese education systems.
In Japan, school starts when children are six years old. There are three main levels: elementary school, junior high school, and high school. Elementary school is six years, from grade one to six. Junior high is three years, from grade seven to nine. High school is three years, from grade ten to twelve. School is free for elementary and junior high. High school costs money, but many students go. After high school, some students go to university or college. University is four years. In Japan, school is serious. Students study hard to pass exams for good high schools and universities.
In America, school also starts at six. There are three levels: elementary school, middle school, and high school. Elementary school is five or six years, usually from kindergarten to grade five. Middle school is two or three years, from grade six to eight. High school is four years, from grade nine to twelve. Public schools are free for all levels. Private schools cost money. After high school, students can go to college. College is two or four years. In America, school is important, but it feels more relaxed than Japan.
School years are different. In Japan, the school year starts in April and ends in March. There are three terms with breaks in summer, winter, and spring. Summer break is six weeks. In America, the school year starts in August or September and ends in May or June. There are two main terms or four quarters. Summer break is long, about three months. I liked the long summer in America, but I missed my Japanese friends during short breaks.
School days are different too. In Japan, school starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Some days, I stayed late for clubs. Students have six or seven classes a day. Subjects are math, Japanese, science, social studies, English, music, art, and P.E. Homework is a lot, and tests are hard. After school, many students go to juku, a special school for extra study. Juku helps pass exams. I went to juku three times a week. It was tiring but helped me learn.
In America, school starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Some schools start earlier or later. I had five or six classes a day. Subjects are math, English, science, history, P.E., and electives. Electives are fun classes like drama, cooking, or computer. Homework is less than Japan. Tests are not as hard. After school, students do sports or clubs, like soccer or band. I joined a photography club in America. It was fun, and I made friends.
Teaching is different. In Japan, teachers talk a lot. Students listen and take notes. Classes are big, with 30 or 40 students. Teachers are strict. They want students to work hard. Students don’t talk much in class. They raise hands to answer questions. Learning is about memorizing facts for tests. I studied a lot for math and Japanese exams. It was hard, but I got good grades.
In America, teachers talk, but students talk too. Classes are smaller, with 20 or 25 students. Teachers are friendly. They want students to think and ask questions. Classes have group work and projects. For example, in science, we made a model of a volcano. Learning is about understanding, not just memorizing. I liked talking in class, but I was shy at first. American teachers gave me time to speak.
School uniforms are different. In Japan, all students wear uniforms. Boys wear dark jackets and pants. Girls wear sailor suits or skirts. Uniforms are the same for everyone. They show school pride. I wore a blue uniform in junior high. We also wore gym clothes for P.E. In summer, uniforms are lighter. Shoes are different too. We change to indoor shoes at school. This keeps floors clean.
In America, most public schools don’t have uniforms. Students wear their own clothes, like jeans and T-shirts. Some schools have dress codes, like no short skirts. Private schools have uniforms, but they are simple, like polo shirts. I liked choosing my clothes in America. It was fun to wear colorful shirts. But sometimes, I missed my Japanese uniform because it was easy to pick.
School rules are different. In Japan, rules are strict. Students can’t dye hair or wear makeup. Phones are not allowed in class. Students clean the school every day. We sweep floors and wipe desks. This teaches teamwork. Being late is bad. Teachers check if students follow rules. I cleaned classrooms with my friends. It was hard work but fun.
In America, rules are more relaxed. Some schools allow phones in class, but not always. Hair can be any color, like blue or pink. Students don’t clean the school. Workers do it. Being late is not good, but teachers are not as strict. I liked the freedom in America, but I think cleaning in Japan made me responsible.
School lunch is different. In Japan, students eat lunch in the classroom. Lunch is the same for everyone, like rice, fish, soup, and vegetables. It’s healthy and cheap. Students help serve food. We say “Thank you” before eating. I liked Japanese lunch because it was warm and tasty. In America, students eat in a cafeteria. They choose food, like pizza, burgers, or salad. Some bring lunch from home. Lunch costs money, but poor students get it free. I liked American pizza, but it was not as healthy.
Exams are different. In Japan, exams are very important. Students take big tests to enter good high schools and universities. These tests check math, Japanese, English, science, and social studies. I studied a lot for junior high exams. If you fail, you go to a less good school. Exams make students nervous. In America, exams are important, but not as much. High school students take tests like the SAT for college. These check math, reading, and writing. I took small tests in America. They were easier, but I still studied.
School clubs are different. In Japan, clubs are a big part of school. Most students join one, like soccer, kendo, or tea ceremony. Clubs meet after school or on weekends. They teach teamwork and skills. I was in the art club in Japan. We painted and drew. In America, clubs are popular, but not everyone joins. Clubs are sports, music, or hobbies, like chess or debate. They meet after school, but not as often. I liked photography club in America because it was relaxing.
Culture makes schools different. In Japan, school teaches respect and hard work. Students bow to teachers. They work together, like cleaning or group study. Japan wants students to be good citizens. In America, school teaches freedom and creativity. Students call teachers by name, not “Teacher.” They learn to think for themselves. America wants students to be leaders. I like both ways, but they feel different.
Technology is different. In Japan, schools use books and paper. Some classes have computers, but not many. Teachers use chalkboards or whiteboards. Since 2020, more schools use tablets, but it’s slow. I used a notebook for notes in Japan. In America, schools use more technology. Many students have laptops or tablets. Teachers use smartboards. Homework is online sometimes. I liked using a laptop in America, but paper is good too.
Holidays are different. In Japan, schools have special days, like Sports Day and Culture Day. Sports Day has races and games. Culture Day has plays or music. These days are fun. In America, schools have events, like Homecoming or Spirit Week. Homecoming is a big game with dances. Spirit Week has fun dress days, like pajama day. I loved Spirit Week in America because it was silly.
Parents are different. In Japan, parents help with study. They pay for juku or tutors. They want good grades for good schools. My mom checked my homework every night. In America, parents help, but they also want sports or hobbies. They care about grades, but not as much. My American friends’ parents came to games, not just tests. Both ways show love, but in different ways.
I learned a lot in both schools. Japan taught me to work hard and respect others. America taught me to be creative and speak up. Both are good, but they are not the same. Japanese schools are strict and focus on tests. American schools are free and focus on ideas. I like Japan’s teamwork and America’s fun. If I choose, I want both—a school with hard work and creativity. As I write this, I think about my friends in both countries. Education is different, but learning is the same everywhere.