Tokorozawa Junior High School

Gazing at the Tokorozawa Junior High School, imagine its humble beginnings in 1947. Tokorozawa Junior High School started with just 11 classes and 482 students. Can you picture those first students, full of both excitement and nerves, taking their first steps into a brand new school? The school’s identity began to solidify shortly after, with the creation of the school chapter in 1948. The iconic school flag followed a year later, in 1949. It wasn’t until 1958 that the school song, a melody that has resonated through generations of students, was finally composed. Tokorozawa Junior High School, like many schools, experienced its growing pains. By 1951, it had expanded to a staggering 39 classes. The peak student population reached approximately 1800 students in 1962, quite a leap from those initial 482. Today, the school’s population hovers around 700 students, a testament to the fluctuating demographics of the area. Even with these changes, the school has maintained its core values. These principles, known as the “Three Pillars”, are greeting, chorus, and volunteerism. These aren’t just words, but actions woven into the fabric of Tokorozawa Junior High. Students greet each other with smiles. They participate in an annual chorus festival, filling the halls with music. They also give back to their community through regular city cleanups. Tokorozawa Junior High School is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place where traditions are born and memories are made. The annual entrance ceremony, the “nyugakushiki,” marks the beginning of each student’s journey. Second-year students embark on an outdoors school adventure in Nagano, immersing themselves in nature and forging lasting bonds. Third-year students have their highly anticipated school trip to the Kansai Area, exploring historical temples like Kinkakuji and Kiyomizudera. And who could forget the sports day, a vibrant spectacle of friendly competition and school spirit? From the radish relay race to the club-specific relays, it’s a day of laughter and camaraderie. Tokorozawa Junior High is a microcosm of life itself, a blend of tradition and change, growth and perseverance. It continues to shape young minds, fostering not just academic excellence but also a sense of community and belonging.