What made Singularity High School special?
Our school and our mission
Learning should be full of fun! The education and concept of “well-being”at Singularity High School
Have you ever heard of“well-being”?It has become a hot topic lately. The word originated from the old Italian word “benessere” in the 16th century, it means “great physical and mental health as well as great satisfaction in social and economic forms”. It also means “great for oneself and others (society)”.
Well-being is sometimes translated as “happiness” in English. Nevertheless, “happiness” is a temporary emotional status but well-being, on the other hand, is more like a sustainable and integrated form.
The concept of “well-being”can also be found in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). However, according to Dr. Yoshiki Ishikawa, a pioneering expert (in preventive medicinefrom Hiroshima, Japan)on the perspective of “well-being”,the SDGs are only prerequisites for happiness as an objective interpretation of “well-being”.
The SDGs, as expressed in its slogan “leave no one behind”, focus on “not leaving a negative legacy to future generations” instead of the expansion of the “positive legacy” of the present for future well-being.
Dr Ishikawa is currently working on a collaborative project with some other Japanese researchers and Professor Jeffrey Sachs (the authority on the SDGs theories from Columbia University) for “Sustainable Well-being Goals (SWGs)” as a common goal for mankind following the pursuit of the SDGs. Dr Ishikawa is also the author of “MukashiMukashi” (literally “Once Upon a Time”), a detailed portrait of the concepts of well-being in Japan, in Japanese culture, and the form of happiness in the country.
According to the publication, internationalexperts agreed that Japanese culture is, in fact, the essence of “well-being”. It is also the impetus for the collaboration ofindustry, academia, government, and private corporations in Japan, which contributed significantlyto making Japan a global leader in pursuing SWGs.
The idea is further elaboratedin the establishment of the “Global Well-being Initiative” led by Japan, “the realization of a society in which people can experience well-being” in the Growth Strategy, and the theme of well-being of the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025. Considering the significance of the concept, Singularity High School aims to enhance the well-being of its students at all events.
So, what is the most obvious and important “indicator (manifestation)” of well-being? We strongly believe that it should be enjoyment and excitement.Thus, the most essentialwell-being of high school students should be “enjoying learning”.
At our school, we aim to create a learning environment full of fun.
Our students are all Luffy, the adventurer!
So, why did we name our school “Singularity”? How is it related to our pursuit of well-being? The word “Singularity” has two meanings- first, “technological singularity,” a time in 2045 when generative AI surpasses human intelligence through “self-directed learning. And, it refers to “singleness”. YukitoKaratani, a legendary philosopher in Japan, upholds the idea of “becoming yourself”- to be happy in a world that progressing to Singularity (the technological singularity), we must be unique– “theonly one,the only me”.
But, why?Generative AI is accelerating the Fourth Industrial Revolution.Wewould love to create unprecedented and tremendous changes, unlike any previous industrial revolutions.The Fourth Industrial Revolution will bring about the most unpredictable era ever. In other (and simpler) words, it will be an era in which traditional wisdom will become nonsensical, and all our current values will be turned upside down.
To achieve well-being in such an era, we need to speak out, create our choices, and take action to overcome difficulties. Professor Albert Pandura, an educational social psychologist, calls these abilities and qualities “Agency” as “what enables people to be involved in their growth, adaptation, and regeneration in changing times”.
A singular being, in this sense, is “a person with Agency”.They are “adventurers” as described by Taizo Son, a serial entrepreneur and the author of “The Book of Adventure- Unlearning in the Age of AI”.We share the same educational view indeed.
Our students are adventurers just like Luffy in “One Piece,” who search for well-being (subjective well-being) for “the only one,the only me” in the awfully unpredictable ocean of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Luffy never dares toconfront difficulties and pick up challenges. Still, he always looks chuffed and full of excitement.So now, be Luffy, bean adventurer. It’s time to start your journey aiming at “well-being” with your friends!
Acquire the “weapons” you need to become an adventurer! (1) The skills and financial education to become a “deluxe human resource”
Voyages will be voyages,and difficulties await.We, hence, must acquire various skills as weapons toweather the storms before we can eventually reach our destinations.The acquisition process itself should be, without a shadow of doubt, full of fun.Needless to say, the most crucial “weapons (skills)” for our adventure under the Fourth Industrial Revolution (AI Revolution) are AI digital skills.Toachievewell-beingduringsuch an unprecedented revolution, we must become a “deluxe human resource” with the following three skills (weapons).
(1) Digital skills
(2) Business skills
(3) Project management skills
The combination of (2) and (3) can also be called “entrepreneurial skills”.Entrepreneurs are independent. They are great no matter where they are. They build their“ship” and “castle (startup ventures),” and find their treasure (well-being). These modern adventurers need funds and support to build “ships” and “castles”. Therefore, financial skills are vitally important as well.
Thanks to assistance from the Hiroshima Bank, one of our strongest partners, we pride ourselveson offering an elective course called “Financial Education School,” taught by financial pros from the bank.
Acquire the “weapons” you need to become an adventurer! (2) Art and STEAM Education
We work with our partners, including the Hiroshima Bank, to support our students’ journeyto pursue well-being.Our partners include national and international educational/research institutions. Based on the latest research and data obtained from these institutes, we are pleased to provide classes and support to accommodateall individual needs of our students.
The most important of these datais definitely related to the career prospects of our students.As AI hasredefined the value of a huge number of occupations, the following industries that enhance well-being are highly expected to grow under the Fourth Industrial Revolution,
・ Mobility (space industry, technically the mobility industry)
・ Healthcare
・ Energy
・ Circular economy
・ Tourism
・ Media and Entertainment
・ Semiconductor
Source) Deloitte Tohmatsu Group
All of thesefuturisticoccupations need“innovations” for creation under the “AI Revolution (the above captioned Fourth Industrial Revolution)” going beyond the boundaries of conventions.
When adventurerspursue “well-being,” creativity is an indispensable “weapon”, no matter what path we are stepping on and what goal we are heading for. Therefore, we also collaborate with Atelier Pao, one of the largest art schools in Hiroshima. Weoffera wide range of art courses, including practical ones as preparation for art colleges. Atelier Pao is our perfect partner and we are always on the same page. Its visionsare “Creativity is limitless” and “We nurture creativity”- these are exactly what we cherish.
As a symbol of art education, the new Koyo campus features a collaborative exhibition with Ryuichi Sakamoto, a musician who keeps “creating something new without being bound by conventions” and Shiro Takatani, a world-renowned media artist who worked with Sakamoto and continues to be a living legend today, following in the footsteps of his predecessors. The exhibition is coming soon.
Focusing on such art education, we arealso committed to STEAM education to nurture human resources (adventurers) for the captioned “future industries”, which enhancesthewell-being of both individuals and society.
S- Science
T- Technology
E- Engineering
A- Art
M- Mathematics (Math& Data Science)
Learning through projects, learning through Games. Let’s make Setouchi the most well-being region in the world!
When we stress on enjoyment and excitement, our projects are all games. For instance, students can equip themselves with skillsand weapons through certain gamesin our school.
Have you ever heard of the simulation game called “SimCity”? The game requires the player to build a city. Similarly, we are glad to offer a program for students to learn and grow through improving well-being and creating anideal city. It is how our adventurers acquire “weapons (skills)” for the ultimate goals of their adventure.
The project is called “Field of Dreams”, or simply “Project D” for short.“Field of Dreams” (1989) is a classic movie famous for “If you build it, he will come” and “Go the Distance”. The objective of the program is to equip students with weapons (skills) to become true, real adventurers and make the Setouchi region “the most well-being region in the world,” starting from the neighboring towns of our two campuses (Koyo & Kure-Asuura).
Studentscan choose the simulationsthey want to work on- Mukaiyo if they are from metropolitan cities, Aura if they fancy nature, or even both if they prefer. Students enjoy freedom. They have their own choices.
This program allows students to earn credits by contributingto the Setouchi area as a “Field of Dreams”, utilizing what they have learned with a focus on what theywould love to do andwhat they are good at.
For example, drawers can follow what Kanako Mizojiri (an artist and lecturer at Atelier Pao) did in her book “Seto no Shima Tabi Techo” with Yoneyama (literally “The Travelog of the islands of the Setouchi Inland Sea”) to draw, write, and visualize the unparalleled islands in the Seto Inland Sea on social media and through other channels. The project is discernible as it contributes to getting the limelight for the local region.
『For example, drawers can follow what Kanako Mizojiri (an artist and lecturer at Atelier Pao) did in her book “Seto no Shima Tabi Techo” with Yoneyama (literally “The Travelog of the islands of the Setouchi Inland Sea”) to draw, write, and visualize the unparalleled islands in the Seto Inland Sea on social media and through other channels. The project is discernible as it contributes to getting the limelight for the local region.
Our school walks with these legends. Another companion of us is Professor Emeritus (Dr Mitsuru Senda)fromthe Tokyo Institute of Technology, the designer of Mazda Stadium and Peace in Hiroshima, and a world authority on educational facility design.
Our Strongest Partner-Professor Emeritus(Dr Mitsuru Senda)from the Tokyo Institute of Technology
Dr Mitsuru Senda, the great designer of our Koyo Campus, is also the designer of three certified kindergartens belonging to the Kowa Gakuen Group and our school.He is, in fact, one of our most honorable partners.
Dr Sendais a world authority on “creating children’s environments” such as the certified kindergartens of our Group. Furthermore, he is also active in the design projects of large facilities such as the Mazda Stadium and Peace Wing Hiroshima. Early in his career, he worked with Takashi Asada, one of Japan’s most important architects on Kodomo no Kuni (“Children’s Land”, opened in 1965 in Nerima, Toky). The project inspired a large number of urban planners and childcare advocates nationally and internationally.
Dr Senda is also a world-renowned urban planner. So, we are proud to claim that the learning environment he created for our school is the best. He is also involved in our “Project D” to make the Setouchi area “the most well-being area in the world” together with our students.
Asada was also involved in the construction of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with Kenzo Tange, a master of modernist architecture, and Dr Senda, who worked with Asada on “Kodomo no Kuni”, designed the adjacent Peace Wing Hiroshima.
In other words, this is the beginning of the story of “Project D”.
Takashi Asada is the uncle of Akira Asada, a professor at Kyoto University of Arts, and the latter is very close to Ryuichi Sakamoto and Shiro Takatani, whose works are exhibited at our Kyo campus. We work hand in hand with our respectful partners, the great creators of our era to nurture the “single-minded adventurers” for further future.
“Kankyo Design Laboratory”, Dr. Senda’s architectural firmJoin our adventurous journey with your fellow “seminarians”. Our seminars and learning Support
The “seminar” group is a peer group to fill “Project D” and other enjoyable learnings (i.e., adventure) with even more fun.
Seminars refer to small learning groupsusually in universitiesemphasizing independent learning.What students attain is not limited to knowledge and practicalskills but also valuable friends and mentors to brighten their later lives.
Let’s do it in high school!We are much convinced and that’s why we are doing this.
A seminar group consists of the following roles,
(1) A facilitator
(2) FAs (facilitating assistant)
(3) Students
A facilitator is “a person who organizes and monitorsthe study/elicits and organizes opinions of the group and helps students to reach their learning goals”.Let’s take a deeper look at how a facilitator “facilitates” theadventureof our students through the example of studentK below.
(1) Look forenjoyment and excitement together with students- something they truly like, or something they dream of doing in the future.Through talking with the facilitator, K realized that all are “games”, “ancient civilizations”, and “IT-based advertisements.
(2) Find the intersection of (1) and well-being (both individual and collective happiness).After researching with the facilitator, it became clear that this was a “new tourism industry” called “sustainable tourism.
(3) Explore to make (2) a profession. In joint research, multiple paths to this new tourism industry are discovered. K finally opted for a university to study further.
(4) Realize (3). Together with the facilitator, K created a personalized curriculum filled with useful courses as a preparation for university and the attainment of specialized knowledge and skills in the field of sustainable tourism.
(5) FAs and other seminar group members are also there to support both K and the facilitator throughout (1) to (4).
A “special course” for the future
We are pleased to provide optimal support for adventurers. We offer the following special courses to start your journey. Most of the courses come with credit, so students can select their courses and plan their path to reach their ultimate goal.
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(1) DX (Digital Transformation)Human Resource Development Course
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(2) Basic academic skills strengthening course (years 1 & 2)
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(3) University Entrance Examination Preparation Course (year 3)
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(4) Preparation Course for Art University Entrance Exam
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(5) EntrepreneurshipCultivation Course
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(6) Regional Human Resource Development Course
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(7) Global Human Resource Development Course
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(8) Athlete Training Course
From Soccer to Metaverse(Introduction of club activities)
Soccer Club
full-fledged soccer club operated by anFA-certified instructor license holder.Class A is extremely difficult to reach, and there is also an exclusive session for ladies. Daily practices and matches are held at the artificial turf field at WACTORY Park Yangkurayama. We also have shuttle buses (running between our Koyo campus and the field) for students so students can focus entirely on soccer.
eSports Club
Similar to the Soccer Club, the eSports Club is the highlight of our school. Students can be equipped with competitive skills, teamwork spirit, and strategic thinkingthrough the latest game titles. The club is open to all; from beginners to experienced players. Let’s dive intosuch heated competitionona global scale!
Metaverse Club
Supervised by Dr Yuzu Mizuse (Kenichi Okamura, a visiting researcher of the Metaverse Promotion Team atRitsumeikan University), a pioneerin metaverse social entrepreneurship, participants will hone their skills in utilizing metaverse to enhance well-being (both on the personal and social level).
Click here to visit the website of Yuzu Plus Co
ance Club
A collaboration with Hiroshima Dance Company (HDC), a much-loved dance school. We aim to be the best high school in Japan in the dance world as well!
Click here to visit the website of HDC
t Club
A collaboration with Atelier Pao, an art school that boasts one of the best art university enrolmentratesin Hiroshima, in which students can immerse themselves in art.
Click here to visit the website of Atelier Pao
Special Advisors and Partners
In addition to facilitators and special advisors,we promote both “happy learning” and “learning for happiness”with a huge number of national and international partners who are pioneers in various perspectives as listed below (in alphabetical order).
●Special Advisors
- • YukitoEmorya (philosopher)
- • Ken Chester-Kawashima (Associate Professor, Faculty of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto)
- • Kichitaro Kawamoto (Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Human and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University)
- • Yoshihisa Kammon (Professor, School of Economics, Meiji Gakuin University)
- • Mitsuru Senda (Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
- • Harry Hartunian (Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago and New York University)
- • Michael Bodash (Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago)
- • Yuzu Mizuse (Kenichi Okamura, Visiting Researcher, Metaverse Promotion Team, Department of Policy Planning, Ritsumeikan University)
●Partners
- • Atelier Pao
- • Yuzu Plus Co.
- • Environmental Design Institute
- • The Hiroshima Bank, Ltd.
Learning is a life-long journey for all
Learning is a life-long journey for all
The famous quote is from the philosopher YukitoEmorya (the winner of the Nobel Prize in Philosophy, Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture) and our special advisor.This is so true in our new era under the AI revolution (the fourth industrial revolution).
DX (Digital Transformation) with a focus on AI is changing our lives and the way we work tremendously.To cope with these changes in this era of diversity, we will need to keep learning and growing. Our school is ready to motivate our students to keep learning-
(1) Students can select their courses.
(2) No age limit (and student identity.No matter if you are 90, as long as you are determined we are glad to be with you.
The choice to return to school as an adult student is life-affirming and potentially life-changing. It’s a vote for your future, for yourself, and for your power to shape your circumstances. We are more than ready to be with you in your adventure, to improve “well-being” and “singular being”.(which is also upheld by Karatani, from which the name of the school, Singularity High School, is derived.)
We also have a middle school
As for junior high school students, our middle school provides a safe, secure platform for kids with difficultiesattendingtraditional schools. We work with their schools to motivate them about school and boost attendance.
| Target Group |
Grade 1 to grade 3 students in junior high schools (the 7ththrough 9thgrade) |
|---|---|
| onthly Fee | PY 10,000 |
| Date and Time | Every Thursday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm |
| Location | 2/F, 6-24 Aosaki Minami, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima, Japan |
