福岡市立勝馬小学校

Established in 1876, Fukuoka Shiritsu Katsuma Shogakkou, or Katsuma Elementary School, has a unique history intertwined with the island community it serves. Initially, the school borrowed space from the Nishi-Fukuji Temple. Imagine young students, their wooden sandals clicking on the temple floors, learning their lessons in the shadow of ancient wisdom. Later, in 1893, a new school building was constructed between the Katsuma and Sakae areas. This marked a significant step for Katsuma Elementary School, providing a dedicated space for education. However, disaster struck just two years later. A violent storm ravaged the island, and the newly built schoolhouse crumbled. Undeterred, the community rallied. They rebuilt the school and even added a supplementary department for one-year remedial studies. Fukuoka Shiritsu Katsuma Shogakkou continued to grow, evolving with the changing times and educational reforms. It transitioned from a four-year island elementary school to a six-year program. This required older students to travel to the Shikanoshima Island Elementary School. By 1931, all children from the Sakae area attended Shikanoshima Island Elementary School. Katsuma Elementary School then served only the children of the Katsuma area. Fukuoka Shiritsu Katsuma Shogakkou also plays a role in a special program called the “Umi-kko Yama-kko School.” This program allows children from outside the school district to experience the unique educational environment Katsuma offers. Picture children arriving by boat and bus, eager to learn in this small school nestled by the sea. The school embraces its small size and coastal location. It incorporates these aspects into its unique educational approach. Fukuoka Shiritsu Katsuma Shogakkou has combined fifth and sixth grades into multi-age classes. This creates a close-knit learning environment. Due to this blended grade structure, school trips occur only every other year. The school also collaborates with Magari Elementary School in the city for joint activities, fostering connections within the wider community.