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Sagano High School (嵯峨野高等学校) (Sagano Dynamics), is a nationally designated Super Science High School located in Kyoto, Japan.

History
Brief Timeline:
 * 1941 - Sagano was founded as Sagano Girl's High School
 * 1950 - Sagano was re-structured as Sagano High School and became a co-ed school
 * 1996 - Kyoto's COSMOS courses were established and added to the school's curriculum and plan
 * 2010 - 70th Anniversary Celebration school year

Originally opening as “Sagano Girls' High School” in 1941 and becoming co-ed in 1950, Sagano High School has a history of more than 70 years. It is located in the north-western section of the ancient capital of Kyoto, with such picturesque areas as Sagano and Arashiyama being located nearby. The school has 2 departments, the “General Academic Department” and the “Kyoto Cosmos Department,”the latter of which is a special department established in 1996 in order to provide more advanced-level education which could prepare students for further academic research at universities or other higher educational institutions.

Motto and Creed
The school's motto is: "Empower students for success through synergetic interaction".

The school's creed is:

和敬 - “wakei” - Be harmonious and respectful

自彊 - “jikyo” - Strive for self-improvement

飛翔 - “hisho” - Act globally

The school's goal is to educate and nurture "global learners".

Typical Course, Class, and School Description
The goal of our school is to provide lessons which would develop students’ intellectual curiosity and nurture top-level academic abilities. Lessons in the Kyoto Cosmos Department feature various kinds of unique activities which help develop students’ logical thinking, deep insight and judgment through collaboration with universities and research institutions. Transcending such conventional ideas of using only textbooks and classrooms, we create small-group research teams in accordance with areas of specialization(a.k.a., “academic lab” and “super science lab”) and let students engage in activities such as research and surveying, experimenting and presentation regarding their specialized field of study. Furthermore, through hands-on experience in fieldwork and our distinguished lecturer series, students are able to immerse themselves in an actual example of academic study and research, thereby motivating themselves for further academic study at universities.

Following the designation of “Super Science High School” by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) in 2012, we were given another designation as a hub school for science and mathematics education entitled “the framework for priority on human resource development in the field of science and technology” from MEXT this year.These honorable designations recognize our school’s undertakings such as collaboration with Kyoto University and other research institutions and providing advanced education in the field of natural science. We have continued our endeavors to provide top-level science and mathematics education, and to promote such education through international exchange as well.

Through studying various issues, ranging from social to scientific fields both in domestic and international society by the utilizing the English language, our students are able to acquire global perspectives and practical command of the English language. Some students pass the top level English language proficiency test or obtain high scores on the TOEIC test, and others take part in the all-Japan high school students’ debate competition. During our school trip overseas, all of the 1st year students visit Singapore, engaging in exchange programs with top science and mathematics schools there, and organizing their own fieldwork without relying on tour guides. The exchange programs take place both in Japan and Singapore. During our 4-day-programs in Singapore and Japan, we organize joint lessons (including experiments, workshops and presentations), and invite other schools to this program, so that we will be able to fulfill our responsibility as a hub school for science and mathematics. Concerning other international exchange programs, we will visit a high school in Canada during our 10-day exchange program this winter, which is followed by another exchange program with a school in Thailand next spring. We would like to increase the number of our international exchange programs, through collaboration with schools in such countries as the USA, Australia, and European countries in the future.

Our career education and guidance focuses on students’ individual wishes. We try not to advise them just to look for universities suitable for their current academic abilities, but we respect our students’wishes, and inspire them to set higher goals by themselves. In recent years, the number of students advancing to prestigious universities such as Kyoto University, Osaka University, and top medical schools has increased dramatically.

School life
"Challenge toward experiences which enhance creativity and leadership." In order to cultivate well-rounded individuals with good character, we provide many school events and extra-curricular activities. Over 90% of our students engage in school club activities, aiming to excel at both academics and sports. At our annual culture and sports festival entitled “Tokonoha Festival” held in September, students plan and work hard together to make it successful; new events organized by the student council always steal the show.

Our students have actively taken part in both domestic and international workshops and competitions, achieving many good results, from the Gold Medal at the preliminary round of the“International Chemistry Olympics,”to the Kyoto qualifier runner-up for the “Science Koshien (Koshien national convention of science)” and to participation in the “High School Summit in Tohoku 2012.” Furthermore, on the occasion of “The 1st National High School Traditional Cultural Festival (Traditional Culture Koshien),” our high school students put on a performance of a kyogen traditional comic play.

Reforms in the 2014 Academic Year
In order to further improve its content of education, Sagano High School will restructure its current disciplines both in the “Kyoto Cosmos Department” and the “General Academic Department” in the 2014 academic year. For the past 18 years since its establishment in 1996, the “Kyoto Cosmos Department” has caught considerable attention from all over Japan because of its highly progressive educational practices. The current 3 disciplines (natural science, humanities and social sciences, and international culture) are to be replaced by the new 2 disciplines (natural science and human science). For 1st year students, 2 paths will be prepared, first; the “Specialized Natural Science Discipline”,and second; the “Interdisciplinary Department”, where students study subjects common to both science and the humanities. Students who belong to the “Interdisciplinary Department” will be expected to choose which discipline they would pursue, natural science or human science, when they become 2nd year students. Besides the “Kyoto Cosmos Department,”the “General Academics Department” will also be restructured. Students will be categorized into either natural science discipline or human science discipline when they become 2nd year students.