BACKGROUND

Miss Jennie M. Gheer was sent to Japan as an American missionary. Despite having experienced severe oppression, she achieved her mission; foundation of a school for Japanese girls to find a new way of life.

Even though women’s rights were still suppressed at that time, all her effort and devotion made Fukuoka Jo Gakuin part of the local community. Also known as the “Mission School” it has remained a prominent feature in Fukuoka’s landscape for more than 135 years.

As a progressive, rare educational model in Japan at that time, Fukuoka Jo Gaukin’s reputation reached far and wide. For example, while paying a visit to over 40 countries in 1937, Fukuoka Jo Gakuin was on Helen Keller’s list of places to visit.

PHILOSOPHY

Since its earliest days, Fukuoka Jo Gakuin has offered students a way of school life founded on the values and convictions of Christianity. It thus enjoys a constantly widening reputation, through the lives of its graduates.

We provide well-rounded education based on Christianity for each individual student. Our aim is to help them blossom into sensitive, intelligent women with a strong sense of responsibility.

GATEWAY TO ASIA

We are located in Fukuoka city which is the largest and most vibrant city in Kyushu (southwest part of Japan.) Fukuoka has played an important role in cultural exchange between Japan and the Asian continent. The city is blessed with nature, having both beautiful mountains as well as a stunning shoreline and ocean view.

The weekly Hong Kong Asia Week publication has sited Fukuoka as the best city in Asia in which to live. It continues to put a premium on the quality of life available to its inhabitants. Its proximity to the rest of Asia (nearer to Seoul than to Tokyo) has endowed the city with a cosmopolitan heritage that serves it well in an age of intra-regional person-to-person cooperation.

ENVIRONMENT

The Fukuoka Jo Gakuin community enjoys the comforts and convenience of a suburban campus, accessible in about 20 minutes by train and bus from the heart of Fukuoka city. Fukuoka, the transportation hub for Western Japan, is served by an international airport, major rail lines, and an excellent highway network. Local transportation facilities include a subway system that connects the airport and railway stations, as well as other key points in the city. In addition, we have a dormitory on the premises for those who may have trouble in commuting

THE ORIGIN OF MODERN JAPANESE SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Back in 1921, students and their parents complained how inconvenient and expensive it was to do exercise in Japanese tradition clothing, such as kimono or hakama. Fukuoka Jo Gakuin’s president, President Lee, did research on her own and then adopted the sailor-style school uniform shown here. It was the first time such a uniform was used in a Japanese school. It gained popularity through its use at Fukuoka Jo Gakuin, and later became common throughout in Japan.

SCHOOL BADGE

BThe school badge represents a grape vine. The choice of grapes growing on the vine as a school symbol comes from John 15:5 in the Bible, a passage central to the Fukuoka Jo Gakuin family;

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

FACILITIES

The campus is proud of its outstanding facilities:

● Audio Visual Classrooms
● Expansive Auditorium
● Two gymnasiums
● Pipe organ
● Art studio
● Library
● Musical training facilities
● Japanese Tea Ceremony House
● Dormitory
● Cafe
● Cafeteria
● Sport grounds

Campus grounds and facilities are maintained by professional grounds staff. All of the indoor facilities are air conditioned.

LIBERAL ARTS

The liberal arts education at Fukuoka Jo Gakuin is more than just a standard set of courses. It is designed to reach and teach each individual student, empowering them with the skills and understanding necessary to navigate today’s professional world successfully. Students are trained not only in academics and study skills, but also engage in communication and expression training in traditional and modern Japanese language, as well as in English. They also undergo education in traditional arts and in modern information technology.

CLUB ACTIVITIES

The club activities available to students at Fukuoka Jo Gakuin are wide and varied. Students enjoy traditional Western sports and activities, but also have access to clubs based in Japanese culture.

● Athletics

• Soccer
• Tennis
• Table tennis
• Volleyball
• Badminton
• Track & Field
• Baton

● Music Based Clubs

• Mission Orchestra
• Musical Performance Club
• Rock Band Club
• Gospel Choir
• Hand Bell Choir

● Arts & Skills Clubs

• Art Club
• Broadcasting Club
• Gardening & Agriculture Club
• Cinema Club
• Culinary Arts Club

● Academic & Social Clubs

• Science Club
• Young Women’s Club of America (YWCA)
• English Speaking Society (ESS)

● Traditional Japanese Clubs

• Japanese Animation (Anime)& Illustration
• Japanese Tea Ceremony Club
• Koto (Japanese harp)
• Tanka (Poem)

EVENTS

First Semester

April
　First Semester Opening Ceremony
　School Entrance Ceremony
　New Students Guidance
　Easter Chapel Service
　School Field Trip
May
　Fukuoka Jo Gakuin Anniversary
　May Queen / May Pole Dance
　Junior High School Sports Day
July (Summer Break starts)
　High School Volleyball Tournament
　First Summer Final Exams
　Supplementary lesson offerings
August (Summer Break)
　Study Abroad Program

Second Semester

September
　Fukuoka Jo Gakuin Festival
　Second Term Opening Ceremony
October
　High School Class Trip (1st Year)
　Outdoor Class Field Trip (1st & 2nd Year Junior High School)
　Christian Education Week
November
　Music Program Class Trip
　Junior High School Volleyball Tournament
December (Winter Break)
　Christmas Chapel Service
　Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
　Fukuoka Jo Gakuin Messiah Concert

Third Semester

January
　Samsung Girls School (Korea) Exchange Program
February
　Junior High School Ski Trip (2nd Year)
　Third Semester Final Exams
March
　Senior High School Graduation Ceremony
　Junior High School Graduation Ceremony
　English Speech Contest