“There are so many cram schools. How are we supposed to choose?”
That’s such a Nishinomiya thing, isn’t it? For this article, we asked Nishitsu Friends’ Juku Sherpa, Tani-san, about the real situation around entrance exams in Nishinomiya and what you can do right now by school grade. Last time, seats tended to fill up quickly, so if you’re interested, check it out early.
▶︎ Apply for the free seminar (takes 1 minute)
目次
- 1 First, a quick overview: Public vs. Private (costs / outcomes / family workload)
- 2 Top 3 common mistakes
- 3 Information sessions at Nigawa Gakuin in October and November
- 4 Here are some sample combined-application models for junior high and high school entrance exams
- 5 What to do now by grade
- 6 If you’re unsure, ask the free and neutral Juku Sherpa
- 7 Free online seminar schedule & remaining seats
First, a quick overview: Public vs. Private (costs / outcomes / family workload)
| Private | Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition | Approx. 800,000–1.2 million yen (varies by school) | Approx. 400,000 yen |
| Path to university | More options, such as affiliated-school and recommendation routes | General entrance exams are the main route |
| Family workload | Requires coordination for commuting distance, school events, and using cram school alongside school | Easier to balance with club activities and local life |
*Approximate cram school monthly fees: group lessons 10,000–30,000 yen/week once, private lessons 20,000–40,000 yen/week once (varies)
Top 3 common mistakes
- Parents get too involved, or are too hands-off
- Choosing a cram school based only on name recognition or advancement results, even if it doesn’t match the child’s personality or academic level
- Putting financial pressure on the child
Here are the key points for reading mock exam results
Don’t look only at deviation values. Focus on the correct answer rate for each question × whether your child got it right or wrong. Check which subject areas or units they struggle with, and what level of difficulty they are able to solve.
▶︎ Learn how to read the results at the free seminar
Information sessions at Nigawa Gakuin in October and November
- Information sessions: Nigawa Gakuin Junior High School (10/11・11/16), Nigawa Gakuin High School (10/18・11/1・8・29 and others)
- School festival: Nigawa Gakuin Junior & Senior High School (9/27)
Here are some sample combined-application models for junior high and high school entrance exams
Junior high school
- Sanda Gakuin → Hibarigaoka Gakuen
- Kwansei Gakuin Junior High School → Konan
- Suma Gakuen → Takigawa Daini
- Konan Girls’ → Mukogawa Women’s
- Kobe College → Kobe Kaisei Girls’
High school
- Takarazuka Nishi / Takarazuka → Nigawa Gakuin Calti
- Ichi-Nishi / Ken-Nishi → Suma Gakuen
*The best choice depends on each family’s circumstances. Please use this only as a rough guide.
Three things to check at school information sessions
- The learning system The school curriculum (courses, subjects offered, etc.) and learning support system (supplementary lessons, etc.)
- What life is really like after enrollment The pros and cons for your child after entering the school
- Atmosphere The expressions of current students, club activities, school events, and other inner aspects that help you imagine school life
What to do now by grade
New 4th–5th graders
- Roughly master the material through the end of the next school year
6th graders (fall)
- Reach at least 2–3 points below the deviation value of your target school
If you’re unsure, ask the free and neutral Juku Sherpa
“I don’t know which cram school is best…”“I want to know the study method that suits my child.”
For parents with these kinds of concerns, Juku Sherpa is currently offering free consultations!
📌 Consultation topics
✅ I want to learn about cram schools in Nishinomiya
✅ I want to discuss which cram school would suit my child
✅ I want advice about junior high, high school, or university entrance exams
📅 Apply for a free consultation here↓
🔗 Application form
🌐 Juku Sherpa official website
If you’re unsure about choosing a cram school, it’s really helpful to be able to consult a professional with 25 years in the education industry for free!
Free online seminar schedule & remaining seats
They also hold free online seminars that are perfect for anyone who wants a general overview of cram schools and entrance exams.
