Contemplate this school. Narimasugaoka Elementary School stands as a testament to education in Tokyo. Yet its story has some interesting twists.
Before you is Narimasugaoka Elementary School. It is more than just a school. It embodies community. It represents the future.
Narimasugaoka Elementary School’s history involves another school. There was a Narimasu Elementary School in Grant Heights. It opened in September 1947. About 700 students enrolled. The school had 30 faculty members. There were also 30 Japanese National employees.
In 1953 two additional wings were built on the main building. In 1956 Kindergarten and grade 6 students went to Drake kindergarten and middle schools. These schools were at Camp Drake a suburb of Tokyo. For the 1970-71 school year, these students came back to Narimasu. The Drake schools closed. Grades seven and eight were added to Narimasu Elementary School.
Narimasu High School was similar to YOHI. But it included grades 7 and 8. Narimasu was a village 15 miles north of Tokyo. It was located in Grant Heights a housing area. Grant Heights was built on a Kamazaze Base. The first classes started in the fall of 1948.
When Narimasu High School closed in 1971 the school moved to Yamato High School. Yamato High School was between Yamato Air Station and Tachikawa Air Force Base and Yokota Air Force Base. Yamato closed in 1973. Then the school moved to Yokota. It is still there today.
ASIJ’s Alumni organization recognizes and enrolls hundreds of Occupation era Meguro students. In June 1997 they held a 95th reunion in Seattle. Plans were underway for the 100th anniversary in Tokyo in 2002.
This area has seen significant changes. The Narimasu Elementary School in Grant Heights closed in 1973. Narimasugaoka Elementary School continues its mission today.
Narimasugaoka Elementary School has a website. The Itabashi Board of Education operates it.
As you leave Narimasugaoka Elementary School consider the history of education in this area. Its story is one of change adaptation and enduring commitment to students. The school continues to shape the minds of tomorrow.