Seikei Elementary School

Sunlight streams into the classrooms of Seikei Elementary School. How is every classroom so brightly lit? Seikei Elementary School, nestled within the Seikei University campus, uses a clever architectural trick. The school is terraced towards the south, maximizing the sunlight that reaches each room. Each classroom even has its own large terrace, seamlessly extending the learning space outdoors. Seikei Elementary is part of a larger institution, the Seikei Gakuen. This educational foundation has a rich history, stretching back to 1912. Haruji Nakamura, along with his friends Koyata Iwasaki and Shigezo Imamura, established the “Seikei Jitsumu Gakko” in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. This was the precursor to the Seikei Gakuen we know today. Over time, it evolved into a comprehensive educational system. It now encompasses an elementary school, junior high, high school, university, and even a graduate school. The school’s core philosophy emphasizes “respect for individuality,” “cultivation of character,” and “commitment to hard work.” This philosophy stems from the ideal: “A peach tree says nothing, yet people naturally create a path to it.” In 1924, Seikei Gakuen moved from Ikebukuro to Kichijoji. Sadly, the founder, Haruji Nakamura, didn’t live to see the relocation to this then-rural area. Seikei Gakuen has flourished alongside Kichijoji’s own growth over the past century. The institution aims to nurture individuals with a strong liberal arts education and a deep sense of humanity. This mission remains vital, especially in our rapidly changing world. Seikei Elementary School continues this legacy. It prepares young students for the future, within the innovative and light-filled spaces of its thoughtfully designed building.