Koishikawa Middle School

Did you know Koishikawa Secondary Education School was originally established in 1918? We stand before Koishikawa Secondary Education School today. This isn’t just any school. It’s a place where history and innovation have intertwined for over a century. Koishikawa Secondary Education School, located in the Bunkyo district of Tokyo, is a combined junior and senior high school. It’s a public school, established and run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The first principal, Ito Choshichi, was a visionary. He advocated for modern educational practices, often sparking debate in the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Supported by influential figures like Tokyo Governor Inoue Tomokazu and Shinpei Goto, Ito created a school that prioritized science education. The proximity to the Riken institute further fueled this focus. Imagine students conducting astronomical observations and engaging in hands-on experiments. They even started physics and chemistry in their first year of junior high, years earlier than the standard curriculum. Ito’s dream of a school that “produces scientists” shaped Koishikawa Secondary Education School into a unique institution. Beyond science, Ito also championed liberal education and Taisho democracy. He hired female teachers, promoting co-education, a groundbreaking concept for the time. He also organized trips to rural Shiga-mura, Nagano Prefecture, to immerse students in a different way of life. His belief in international education led to English conversation classes taught by native speakers. Koishikawa Secondary Education School students used recordings for language learning, a luxury at the time. In a charming anecdote, Ito once launched a paper carp filled with balloons, hoping it would reach the United States. The carp was mailed back from within Japan. Ito, however, spun this into a lesson, telling his students it had traveled to America and back. Koishikawa Secondary Education School’s legacy extends beyond Ito’s tenure. His educational philosophies were carried on by alumni and staff. The school continues to thrive today, a testament to its innovative roots and commitment to a well-rounded education.