中学受験のお手伝いをするような仕事に関わってかれこれ8年ぐらいになります。その間、自分の子供も中学受験をし、現在は下の子供が来年の受験に向けて奮闘中です。
中学受験には、単に難関校に合格すること以上に、子どもたちの成長に大きな意義があるとされています。まず、受験勉強を通じて身につくのは学力だけではなく、自分で計画を立て、目標に向かって努力する姿勢です。この過程で得られる粘り強さや自己管理能力は、将来どんな道に進んでも大いに役立つものです。
また、中学受験は幅広い分野にわたる学びを提供します。算数や国語といった基礎学力だけでなく、理科や社会の知識が自然と深まり、物事に対する興味や好奇心が育まれます。特に中学受験では、答えを導くために論理的な思考を求められる問題が多く、これが「考える力」を育む大きな要因となっています。
さらに、受験によって得られるものは学力や知識だけではありません。受験生活を支える家族との絆が深まったり、同じ目標に向かって頑張る友人との連帯感が生まれたりすることも多いです。中学受験を通じて知り合った仲間とのつながりは、のちの人生でも心の支えになることが少なくありません(うちの子は、小学校自体が受験熱が低いので友達がいないと嘆いていますが)。
そして、中高一貫教育を受ける環境は、受験を経たからこそ得られる特別な機会です。中高一貫校は6年間という長い期間を活かして、大学受験に縛られない幅広い教育や個性的なカリキュラムを提供するため、より専門的な分野に早期に触れることができます。この環境が、将来の進路選択の幅を広げることにもつながるとされています。
学歴社会を否定する人もいますが、学歴社会であることを痛感して生きていた自分としては、学歴は重要だと感じます。学歴なしに成功している人は「学歴いらない」と言いますが、大半は学歴で判断されます。これは紛れもない事実です。それを一部の声を鵜呑みにして学歴を放棄するのは日本では誤りだと思います。その事実を知るからこそ、子供にはある一定の学歴を付けさせたいと奮闘しているわけですから。
I have been involved in work related to junior high school entrance exams for about eight years now. During this time, my own child went through the experience of preparing for and taking these exams, and my younger child is currently working hard in preparation for next year’s exam.
Junior high school entrance exams offer more than just the opportunity to get into prestigious schools—they hold significant value for a child’s personal growth. Through exam preparation, children develop not only academic skills but also the ability to set goals, create plans, and put in the effort to achieve those goals. This process helps them cultivate persistence and self-discipline, which will prove invaluable regardless of the path they choose in life.
Additionally, junior high school entrance exams provide a broad spectrum of learning. Beyond core subjects like math and language arts, children naturally deepen their knowledge in science and social studies, which fosters curiosity and a genuine interest in the world. The exams often include problem-solving tasks that require logical thinking, helping children develop critical reasoning skills that extend beyond the classroom.
What children gain from the process isn’t limited to knowledge and academic abilities. Preparing for the exams can strengthen family bonds as parents and children navigate this journey together. It can also create a sense of camaraderie among students who share similar goals. However, as in my child’s case, not all environments are equally supportive. My child often laments that their elementary school lacks a competitive or motivated peer group for exams, making the process feel more isolating.
The reward for these efforts is the chance to enter an integrated middle and high school environment, a unique benefit of passing the entrance exams. Such schools often have six-year programs that offer more than just test-driven learning. Freed from the constraints of high school entrance exams, these institutions provide a well-rounded and often specialized education, allowing students to explore their interests and talents early. This flexibility can significantly broaden their future career options.
Although some may criticize Japan’s academic-focused society, I have personally felt the weight of this reality throughout my life. For the most part, academic credentials still play a critical role in shaping opportunities. While some successful individuals claim that academic qualifications are unnecessary, the majority of people are indeed evaluated based on their educational backgrounds. This is an undeniable fact. To blindly follow the opinions of those who dismiss the importance of academic credentials is, in my view, a mistake in the context of Japanese society. Understanding this reality is why I am determined to ensure that my children achieve a solid academic foundation.
株式会社ASAP
及川知也
