Okayama Prefectural Okayama School for the Deaf is the only school for children with hearing defects in the prefecture. We cater to all levels from kindergarten to high school. We follow ordinary school curricula meeting each child’s defects and developmental levels.
There is a dormitory in the school for children who cannot commute. Children learn to organize their daily lives there.
Kindergarten
[Duration of Study] within 3 years
[Capacity] 32
[Required Qualification] Children of 3 years old and up
[Contents of Study] ・Equivalent to pre-school curriculum
・Nurturing hearing ability, verbal ability, and a fertile mind
Elementary
[Duration of Study] 6 years
[Capacity] —
[Required Qualification] Children of 6 years old and up
[Contents of Study] ・Equivalent to elementary curriculum
・Offering effective instructions to students with hearing difficulties
Junior High
[Duration of Study] 3 years
[Capacity] —
[Required Qualification] Those who completed elementary school or its equivalent
[Contents of Study] ・Equivalent to junior high curriculum
・Offering effective instructions to students with hearing difficulties
Senior High General Division in Regular Course
[Duration of Study] 3 years
[Capacity] 9 per grade
[Required Qualification] In addition to the definition in the Regulations for the School Education Law
Article 22-3, those with intellectual disabilities
[Contents of Study] Aiming for employment and independence through a vocational courses and a basic life course which are equivalent to curricula of schools for intellectually
handicapped students
Senior High Integrated Design Division in Regular Course
[Duration of Study] 3 years
[Capacity] 16 per grade
[Required Qualification] In addition to the definitions in the Regulations for the School Education Law
Article 95, those who completed junior high school or junior high department of
special support schools
[Contents of Study] Developing expert knowledge and skills through studies in curriculum
equivalent to specialized high schools, Industrial Design Course, and Fashion
hair Design Course
Senior High Hair Design Division in Graduate Course
[Duration of Study] 1 year
[Capacity] 10
[Required Qualification] Those who competed the hair Design Course in senior high department of
special support schools
[Contents of Study] ・Researching on expert knowledge and higher skills for barbering
・Developing attitude for originality and inventiveness
– Qualification –
・Children with a hearing defect approximately at the level stated in The Enforcement School Education Act 22-3.
・Children whose hearing level with both ears is approximately above 60 dB, and who are incapable or find it extremely difficult to understand ordinary conversation even with the use of hearing aids.
・Infant class…For children with a hearing defect at the ages 0～2.
・Visit lessons…For children with a hearing defect enrolled in ordinary elementary schools.
Kindergarten
・Kindergarten effectively follows the standard kindergarten curriculum with emphasized education on “hearing” and “language”.
・Infants aged 3 to 5 acquire ‘live’ language in daily kindergarten life.
・Besides group learning, individual learning is also valued.
・Pronunciation and hearing skills are trained.
Elementary School
・Elementary School effectively follows the standard elementary school curriculum .
・Pupils are linguistically empowered by being able to express themselves more efficiently not only through each field and subject study but also through independent lessons and school life. There are also foreign language activities.
・Teaching is done in small groups in accordance with pupils’ assessments. Larger groups are also formed so that pupils can learn from each other.
Junior High School
・Junior High School effectively follows the standard junior high school curriculum .
・Recognition and acceptance of disabilities, and acquisition and promotion of linguistic proficiency are prominent in our curriculum, besides ordinary subjects, moral education and extracurricular activities are offered. We have integrated lessons as well.
Senior High School
・Senior High School effectively follows the standard senior high school curriculum. Students take academic subjects such as Japanese, Social Studies, Math, Science and English. Students major in subjects for three years as either in crafts, dress making or hairdressing.
・Crafts and dress making departments set academic courses, which have a curriculum of their own. This is for students who wish to go on to further education in colleges, junior colleges, vocational schools and schools for people with disabilities.
・For long distance attendees and those who have difficulty in commuting, we have a dormitory where infants, pupils and students grow up, learn to make friends and improve their adaptability to society. Dormitory staffs are there to guide children toward independent life as chaperons, and help the children to lead well-disciplined life.
