Benesse High School Junior High Division, a free school for junior high students, to begin accepting 6th-grade elementary school students on July 7, 2026

Benesse Corporation (Headquarters: Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, President: Daisuke Iwase, hereinafter: Benesse) will begin accepting 6th-grade elementary school students at "Benesse High School Junior High Division," a free school for junior high students operated by Benesse Corporation, starting July 7, 2026 (Tue).

With the trend of school refusal becoming apparent at younger ages, an increasing number of families are concerned about learning and future paths before entering junior high school. To address this, Benesse will expand its support services, which have so far been provided to junior high school students, to include 6th-grade elementary school students. These services include academic support, career counseling, and the creation of a safe and secure place outside of home and school.

Furthermore, to alleviate the financial burden, which is one of the psychological barriers preventing families from utilizing free schools, Benesse will launch the "First Step Support: 1 Month Free Program" for students in 6th grade to 3rd year of junior high school. This program will abolish the admission fee (50,000 yen) and make the first month's tuition free.

Background for Accepting 6th-Grade Elementary School Students

In recent years, the number of students experiencing school refusal has been on the rise, with more children feeling reluctant to go to school even at the elementary level. Entering junior high school, in particular, involves significant environmental changes, making it a period where children and parents are prone to increased anxiety about the future.

A survey conducted by Benesse in June 2026 revealed that approximately 90% of parents of 6th-grade elementary school students with tendencies of school refusal or reluctance to attend school felt anxious about entering junior high school. The most common concern was "whether they can keep up with junior high school studies," followed by "whether they can build good relationships with classmates."

Moreover, about 70% of parents of current 1st to 3rd-year junior high school students who experienced school refusal or reluctance to attend school in the 6th grade of elementary school responded that they "wish they had started consulting and gathering information about junior high school from the 6th grade."

On the other hand, during their information gathering, families considering free schools found the cost to be one of the factors that made them hesitate to use the service.

Based on these circumstances, "Benesse High School Junior High Division" will provide opportunities for academic support, career counseling, and the creation of a place to belong for 6th-grade elementary school students, supporting them in finding learning methods and career paths that suit them before entering junior high school.

Overview of Accepting 6th-Grade Elementary School Students

Starting July 7, 2026, Benesse High School Junior High Division will begin accepting 6th-grade elementary school students (usage to begin in October of the same year). The program is for 6th-grade elementary school students experiencing school refusal or anxiety about attending school. Students can attend classes at the campus or online while remaining enrolled in their current elementary school. Depending on the child's situation, they can choose between campus attendance or online learning from home. Using dedicated learning materials and a personalized "MY Schedule," academic support will be provided for the five core subjects. Support will also include foundational learning that can go back to 1st-grade elementary school content, improvement of daily rhythms, and the creation of a safe place to belong. Additionally, free support will be offered for documentation required to apply for the "attendance credit system" at the student's enrolled school for learning activities utilizing ICT.

Overview of acceptance: https://gakuin.benesse.co.jp/admission/chu/

Abolition of Admission Fee and First Month's Tuition for 6th Grade to 3rd Year Junior High School Students: "First Step Support: 1 Month Free Program"

To encourage families to take the first step, Benesse is launching the "First Step Support: 1 Month Free Program," which waives the previously set admission fee of 50,000 yen and the first month's tuition.

In recent years, while awareness and consideration of free schools as an option for children experiencing school refusal or anxiety about attending school have been expanding, many families are hesitant to use them due to concerns about costs.

This program allows students to experience the learning environment, either on campus or online, for one month. It aims to provide an opportunity to foster a desire to return to school or to find a learning style and place that suits the child.

* The first month's tuition is free only for the first enrollment. This offer does not apply to those who have previously received it.

Comment from Takanoobu Kamikihara, Principal of Benesse High School and Junior High Division

"Since opening Benesse High School Junior High Division last October, we have received many positive comments, such as 'I wish we had found you sooner.'

On the other hand, during consultations before enrollment, we often received questions like, 'Can 6th-grade elementary students enroll?' or 'Can we try it out since we're not sure if it will work?'

This spring, new first-year junior high students began attending. The burden on a child is not small when the significant change of entering junior high school is combined with attending a new place. I strongly felt the importance of preparing gradually from the 6th grade.

It also takes time to get accustomed to things. A few trial sessions are not enough to convey the benefits, and the admission fee was a significant barrier for families unsure about continuing. Therefore, this summer, along with starting to accept 6th graders, we have made the admission fee and first month's tuition free through the "First Step Support: 1 Month Free Program." This is because we want to support them fully for a whole month, not just a short trial. We hope that 'I wish we had found you sooner' will change to 'I'm glad we found you sooner.'

About Benesse High School and Benesse High School Junior High Division

Benesse began this initiative in 2025 to meet the diversifying needs of learning. We offer two programs: "Benesse High School," a correspondence support school for high school students, and "Benesse High School Junior High Division," a free school for junior high school students.

For our students, we utilize the expertise in educational services that Benesse has cultivated over the years, providing support for daily learning and future career paths under a support system managed by homeroom teachers and mentors.

Through this initiative, "Benesse High School" and "Benesse High School Junior High Division" aim to support children in choosing learning environments and methods that suit them, thereby greatly expanding their future possibilities in response to the diversity of learning.

[Benesse High School Junior High Division Campus System]

In addition to the 29 campuses as of July 2026, 31 new campuses will be established in April 2027. By increasing the number of locations, we will enhance accessibility and the support system for each student, thereby improving the convenience of "the third place for learning."

Prefecture

Campuses as of July 2026

(Total 29)

New campuses established in April 2027

(Total 31)

Tokyo

Kameari, Toyosu, Sangenjaya, Suidobashi, Kita-Senju, Ikebukuro West Exit, Kinshicho, Oizumi Gakuen, Musashisakai, Tachikawa, Machida, Chofu North Exit, Hachioji, Fuchu

Akihabara, Mita, Takadanobaba, Yotsuya, Oi-machi, Hatanodai, Meguro, Jiyugaoka, Shimokitazawa, Seijo Corty, Chitose-Karasuyama, Futako-Tamagawa, Hiroo, Ogikubo, Akabane, Oji, Nippori, Narimasu, Nerima, Nishi-Arai, Aoto, Shin-Koiwa, Kichijoji Station Front, Tama Center

Saitama

Omiya, Urawa

Chiba

Funabashi, Nagareyama Otaka-no-mori

Kanagawa

Yokohama, Tama Plaza, Kami-Ooka, Kawasaki, Shin-Yurigaoka, Tsujido

Ofuna, Musashi-Kosugi

Aichi

Meieki Sakura-dori Exit

Osaka

Umeda, Tennoji, Senri-Chuo

Uehommachi, Takatsuki, Toyonaka

Hyogo

Sannomiya

Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi

Fukuoka

Fukuoka City

[Related Information]

Benesse High School Website: https://gakuin.benesse.co.jp/

Benesse High School Junior High Division Website: https://gakuin.benesse.co.jp/chu

X Account: https://x.com/begakuin0417

Reference Information: Survey on School Refusal and Reluctance to Attend School for Junior High School Transition

1) Approximately 90% of 6th-grade elementary school students with tendencies of school refusal or reluctance to attend school feel anxious about transitioning to junior high school.

When parents of 4th to 6th-grade elementary school students with tendencies of school refusal or reluctance to attend school were asked if they felt anxious about their child's transition to junior high school, 84.0% responded that they "feel anxious." For 6th-grade students alone, this figure rose to 88.5%, indicating that more families feel anxious as the transition approaches.

2) Concerns include "studies," "relationships," and "school life."

When parents of 4th to 6th-grade elementary school students with tendencies of school refusal or reluctance to attend school were asked about their concerns regarding the transition to junior high school, "keeping up with school studies" was the most common concern (59.9%), followed by "building good relationships with classmates" (57.9%). This suggests that in addition to academic concerns, anxiety about relationships in a new environment is significant.

3) Approximately 70% of parents of current junior high school students who experienced school refusal or reluctance to attend school in the 6th grade responded that they "wish they had started consultations and information gathering from the 6th grade."

When parents of current 1st to 3rd-year junior high school students who experienced school refusal or reluctance to attend school in the 6th grade were asked, looking back, if they thought it would have been better to start consultations and information gathering for junior high school transition from the 6th grade, about 70% (73.7%) responded "strongly agree" or "agree." This indicates that many parents feel the importance of starting consultations and information gathering with junior high school in mind from the 6th grade.

4) Reasons for hesitating to use free schools are "child's intention" and "cost."

Among parents of 4th to 6th-grade elementary school students with tendencies of school refusal or reluctance to attend school who considered using a free school but did not, the most common reason was "the child does not want to go" (49.6%). Other factors besides the child's own will included "felt the cost was high" (38.0%) and "decided to wait and see" (38.0%) at the same rate.

Survey Overview

Survey Period: Friday, June 5, 2026 - Sunday, June 14, 2026

Survey Method: Internet survey

Target Audience:

<Panel 1>

Parents of children currently in 4th to 6th grade elementary school who are in a state of school refusal or have a tendency to be reluctant to attend school (n=461, of which 6th grade n=139)

<Panel 2>

Parents of children currently in 1st to 3rd year of junior high school who experienced school refusal or reluctance to attend school in the 6th grade of elementary school (n=545)

* Panels 1 and 2 were conducted targeting parents who expressed interest in Benesse's parent support app "Shinken Zemi Parent Support (formerly Manabi no Techou)," Benesse Educational Information Site "Futo-ko Life Navi," and "Benesse High School." Panel 2 includes parents of students attending "Benesse High School Junior High Division."