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Wakayama Prefectural Kushimotokoza High School
- Level/s of EducationUpper SecondaryRegionKinki
- Main areas of activity
| Location | 1522, Kushimoto, Kushimoto-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama |
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| TEL. | (+81)735-62-0004 |
| Website | https://www.kushimoto-h.wakayama-c.ed.jp/ |
| Membership | 2007 |
2025 Annual Report
Biodiversity, Oceans, Disaster reduction/prevention, Climate change, Environment, Cultural diversity, World heritage/intangible cultural heritage/regional cultural properties, International understanding, Human rights, Gender equality, Welfare, Sustainable production and consumption, Health, Dietary education, Biosphere reserves, Geoparks
1. School Philosophy and the Positioning of ESD
Our school upholds the educational goal of fostering individuals who possess a rich sense of humanity and solid academic ability, who can further develop their individuality, and who are capable of contributing as active agents in the formation of sustainable local communities and society. Within this philosophy, we interpret “local communities and society” as living spaces in which people conduct their daily lives while confronting various challenges related to sustainable development. Based on this understanding, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is positioned as an effective educational approach for achieving our school goals. Through the systematic implementation of ESD, we aim to cultivate human resources who can proactively participate in regional revitalization and contribute meaningfully to their local communities.
2. Utilization of Educational Resources Based on Regional Characteristics
The region in which our school is located is endowed with a wide range of natural and cultural resources of significant value, including the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Kii Mountain Range to the north; the world’s northernmost coral communities registered under the Ramsar Convention; diverse geological assets that form part of the Nanki Kumano Geopark; and the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,” designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, the region has a history of international exchange with countries such as the United States and Türkiye, and in recent years has gained a new resource with the construction of Japan’s first privately operated rocket launch site within the town. Our school actively utilizes these regional characteristics as educational resources and develops distinctive educational activities in collaboration with the local community.
3. Learning Related to International Understanding
As part of learning related to international understanding, our school has hosted auditing students from Belgium and Australia and conducted exchange activities with them. Furthermore, inquiry-based learning incorporating international perspectives is implemented through school-based subjects such as Regional Inquiry and Cultural Co-creation Inquiry. In particular, during the current academic year, second-year students participated in online exchanges through English classes, where they presented and discussed initiatives related to science, technology, and medical fields with overseas counterparts.
4. Learning Related to Biodiversity and the Environment
Learning related to biodiversity and environmental issues is conducted through school-based subjects such as Fisheries Biology Inquiry, Marine Sports, and Geopark Studies, as well as through inquiry themes in the Period for Integrated Inquiry. Through these learning opportunities, students deepen their understanding of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of the natural environment, and the value of local geological resources and World Heritage sites. Additionally, students participated in the Tokushima High School Students Ethical Summit 2025, where they received the Tokushima Sustainable Award, equivalent to third place.
5. Learning Related to Sustainable Community Development and Disaster Prevention
In learning related to creating communities where people can continue to live safely and securely, our school collaborates with the Kushimoto Town Office, the Kozagawa Town Office, and local organizations to engage in activities that identify and promote regional attractions. In the field of disaster prevention, students have participated in tsunami evacuation drills conducted in cooperation with JR West, as well as disaster-prevention learning activities in collaboration with a high school in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, a disaster-affected area. Through these initiatives, students engage in practical learning on disaster prevention and mitigation in cooperation with local communities and government agencies.
6. Initiatives for Cultural Preservation
As part of initiatives to preserve local culture, students performed a traditional lion dance associated with regional festivals during the school cultural festival, managing both the organization and performance independently. In addition, as a project within the Period for Integrated Inquiry, students undertook a project to produce shinobue (traditional bamboo flutes) that have historically been used in local festivals. Through these activities, the school promotes the preservation of regional culture and its transmission to future generations.
Annual Work Plan
At our school, we aim to cultivate the competencies and qualities that enable each student to recognize diverse regional issues as their own and to engage proactively in solving them. To this end, we implement educational activities that organically integrate the region’s distinctive and rich educational resources, including marine resources, geological resources, historical resources, and space-related resources.
In particular, with the planned introduction in fiscal year 2026 of the school-based subject Space Observation and Utilization as a central component, we will promote learning activities that utilize the parabolic antenna installed at our school through related club activities and the Period for Integrated Inquiry. By analyzing observational data obtained through this equipment, students will deepen their understanding of marine environments, explore applications for disaster prevention and mitigation, and enhance their awareness of environmental conservation, while engaging in inquiry-based learning grounded in scientific evidence.
Furthermore, we will further strengthen collaboration with universities, research institutions, local governments, and other relevant organizations in order to develop practical educational activities that incorporate specialized expertise. Through these initiatives, we will focus on fostering human resources who can act proactively toward solving regional challenges and contribute to the formation of a sustainable local society.