私立福岡雙葉中学校

Tucked away in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, stands the Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School. This isn’t just any school. It’s a place where history whispers from the walls and a vibrant spirit of learning fills the air. Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School began its journey in 1932. Originally founded as the Fukuoka Christian Theological Seminary by the Paris Foreign Missions Society, it has evolved through several incarnations. It was once the Hirao Academy, then Taisei Junior High School, reflecting the changing tides of time. The Catholic Marian Association took charge for a period before the Taizon Academy School Corporation was formed. In 1969, the Fukuoka Diocese reclaimed control, eventually moving the school to its current location in 1974. A pivotal moment arrived in 1983 when the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, took the reins. This marked the start of an ambitious expansion program, including the reopening of the middle school. An exchange program with Auckland, New Zealand, added an international dimension in 1989. Fast forward to 2010, an alliance with Sophia University heralded another transformation, leading to the school’s current name. A year later, a new chapter unfolded as the school opened its doors to girls, embracing coeducation. Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School carries the Jesuit motto: “Men and women for and with others.” This philosophy resonates in every aspect of school life, from academics to extracurricular activities. The school’s emblem, a soaring eagle shared with Sophia University, bears the words “Lux Veritatis,” meaning “light of truth.” The colors of dark blue, deep red, and golden yellow further symbolize the school’s identity. In 2011, a new school song, “Wagame Sophia’s Eagle,” composed by Mitsuru Arai, replaced the “Taizon Academy School Song.” Sophia Fukuoka fosters a global outlook, participating in exchanges within the Jesuit school network. Students engage with peers from Fukuoka, Sydney, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Manila. The school also embraces the AFS exchange program, forging connections with countries like Iceland, the Netherlands, and Austria. The school has extended its hand to Timor-Leste, supporting the Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola. A sister school relationship with St. Joseph’s High School in Timor-Leste began in 1997. Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School is more than just bricks and mortar. It stands as a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the enduring power of education.