Did you know that private schools in Hyogo Prefecture have been holding joint school information sessions for more than a decade?
They used to be held in Kobe, but a few years ago they also started being held in Nishinomiya.
Since private elementary, junior high, and high schools all take part, that means quite a large number of schools are represented (though for elementary schools, it’s just brochure distribution).
So what is it actually like?
I went to find out.
List of Participating Schools
I had no idea Hyogo Prefecture had this many private schools.
Schools with numbers are the ones that actually had booths set up, with staff members there to explain things.
In other words, almost all of the schools were there.
This really is an event that each school puts a lot of effort into.
Inside the Venue
The venue was a banquet hall at Hotel Hewitt Koshien, near Hanshin Koshien Station.
As you’d expect from a hotel banquet hall, the event name was properly displayed.
So this is already the 14th time it’s been held…
Admission is free, so you just pick up a brochure at what looks like the reception counter and head inside.
This is the brochure you receive.
It contains school information and entrance exam details for all private junior high and high schools in Hyogo Prefecture.
Now, into the venue.
This is what it looked like.
Some people came just as parents, while others came together with their children.
The energy and excitement in the room were really impressive.
Even just walking around, I was called out to from all sorts of booths: “Excuse me, sir, please just hear us out!” and “What kind of school are you looking for?!”
At each booth, people from the schools personally handed out brochures, gave explanations, and answered questions.
The people representing the schools varied, including public relations staff and teachers (at some booths, even the chairperson had come in person).
I was a little surprised to hear that the number of private junior high and high schools failing to meet enrollment capacity has been rising rapidly.
That means securing applicants is truly a matter of survival for each school…
Each school is trying all sorts of approaches to survive, from class content and school events to entrance exam systems, so just listening to what they have to say is interesting and educational.
Things have changed a lot since we were junior high school students, so parents really need to gather accurate information too.
By the way, this is the booth and brochure for my alma mater.
My former homeroom teacher was at the booth, so I ended up just chatting…
Upcoming Schedule
After this, the same information session is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 at Hotel Crown Palais Kobe in Kobe.
It looks like there will also be a festival called the “Hyogo Private School Festival” held at the same time on those days, not just the information session.
Why not go check it out with your child?
I think it would be fun just to visit.
