Takatsu High School

In 1940, Takatsu High School emerged from the dreams of local residents. They yearned for a beacon of secondary education in the Hokusetsu region. This northern part of Osaka Prefecture saw the birth of Takatsu High School. Three key figures championed its creation: Kenzo Todo, Yaemon Isomura, and Kakunosuke Niekawa. Todo, chairman of Osaka Medical College, Isomura, Takatsuki City’s first mayor, and Niekawa, director of the Keihan Electric Railway, understood the community’s need. They appointed Noboru Yoshikawa, vice principal of Nada Junior High School, as Takatsu High School’s first principal. Takatsu High School wasn’t always the co-ed institution it is today. From its inception, it was a six-year all-boys school. The landscape shifted in 2017. Takatsu High School welcomed its first female students into the 7th grade. The school became fully co-educational in 2022. Fast forward to 2020. Takatsu High School celebrated its 80th anniversary. A five-year campus renovation project culminated in a state-of-the-art learning environment. A new library, auditorium, and nine science laboratories opened their doors. A traditional Japanese culture room provided space for exploring heritage. This transformation symbolized Takatsu High School’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation. Takatsu High School holds a unique connection to Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University. Their shared founding history created an educational partnership. This partnership fuels Takatsu High School’s innovative learning approaches. Students engage in project-based learning. They select research themes, honing their skills as future science leaders. This forward-thinking approach earned Takatsu High School a designation as a Super Science High School. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology bestowed this honor twice. The first designation spanned from 2014 to 2019. The second recognition ran from 2019 to 2024. Takatsu High School’s global focus is another defining feature. The Ministry of Education designated it as a Super Global High School from 2016 to 2020. The school participates in the Super Global High School Network. It collaborates with Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University and Kyoto University. Together, they address global health issues. Takatsu High School seeks to cultivate global leaders. These leaders possess a deep understanding of global health. They tackle various global social issues. The school’s Global Advanced course students embark on a unique journey. In their first year, they conduct research. They then present their findings at a high school in Taipei City. Their second year takes them to the Republic of Palau. There, they conduct fieldwork, supported by Palauan government officials. Takatsu High School graduates, numbering around 16,000, contribute to society. Their influence spans both domestic and international spheres. They carry the school’s motto with them: Honestly, Stoutly, and Politely. They embody its mission of developing future leaders with a global mindset.