Education in the Pillow Fortress
Education in the Pillow Fortress is the responsibility of the Department of Education which determines everything from the statewide curricula across all levels of mandatory K-12 education, approving textbooks and other classroom materials, and setting dress code and uniform policies, to administering standardized tests, managing exchange student programs, and accrediting independent universities and colleges. The premier educational institution in the Principality is the University of the Pillow Fortress, while other, smaller institutions exist in the Libertine Academy, Libertine Youth Academy, and the School for Extant Mathematics.
Overview
Fortressian education is primarily concerned with equipping Pillowans with the knowledge and skills that complement and augment their natural and unique abilities in order to flourish within society as individuals, as well as to contribute to the functioning of their local and provincial communities, and to the overall health of the state. It is not based on any one preexisting educational tradition, but instead borrows from many, primarily those from Singapore, Japan, and the United States prior to the implementation of the "whole word" and "three cueing" paradigm, modified to fit the needs and goals of the Principality. The government understands that not all individuals have the same educational interests, and therefore is engaged in a constant effort to make available to each student that educational environment that best suits them.
Stages
Education in the Pillow Fortress is organized into stages, each with its own distinct specialty and role. Of these stages, the Kindergarten through Grade 12 levels are mandatory, with failure to attend without justified cause being grounds for criminal punishment of either the student, their parents/guardians, or both depending on the nature of the offense and other confounding factors.
Pre-K
Pre-K typically begins from ages 3-4 and consists of either daycare or preschool. Education at this level is mainly focused on socialization and acclamation to a school environment. As Pre-K is not mandatory, it is entirely the decision of the child's parents/guardians if they are to be enrolled, and in what institution and for how long.
Elementary School
Elementary school is the beginning of mandatory education in the Pillow Fortress and consists of kindergarten and grades 1 through 6. Its focus is on the basic, foundational level knowledge upon which all other knowledge is built: reading, writing, arithmetic, science, language, and history. Subjects increase in complexity with each grade. Less foundational fields of study that are also introduced in elementary school include music, art, and athletics. Typically students are not required to wear uniforms at this stage, with the exception of kindergartners, who wear a smock (スモック) for safety, identification, and to protect their clothes from wear and tear.
Middle School
Middle school, consisting of grades 7 and 8, prepares students for the tests that will determine whether or not they are accepted into either a vocational school or a high school. Continuing with the same subjects introduced in elementary school, classes focused on etiquette and manners also become an integral part of the curriculum. At the end of grade 8 students take a series of standardized tests to determine their overall knowledge, skills, personality, and temperament. The results determine where they go in the next stage of their education. Uniforms in middle school include the sailor fuku (セーラー服) and the gakuran (学蘭).
Vocational School
Students determined to be better suited to work in the agricultural, service, retail, manufacturing, or transportation industries go to vocational school in order to learn a trade. The primary subjects of reading, writing, arithmetic, science, language, and history are still present, but share time with job training. Uniforms are worn in vocational school, however they are of a less obtrusive, less complex, more hardy design than those worn in either middle or high schools, owing to the hands on, physical nature of much vocational school education.
High School
Students determined to be better suited to careers requiring specialized expertise and knowledge, including but not limited to medicine, law, business, teaching, politics, and entertainment, go to high school. Classes are more varied, and students have a greater deal of control of which they take, selecting based on their interests. The number of extracurricular activities is also greatly expanded, with sports, drama, art, music, debate, programming, and more being available along with student run clubs. Students wear blazer variants of the sailor fuku and the gakuran as uniforms.
Technical College
Technical college is for those students of vocational school who still require or desire additional training.
Community College
Community college provides credits in general learning more locally and with fewer barriers than at university. They also serve as a way for individuals who attended vocational school to enter a higher education pathway should they decide to try and pursue one.
University
University is the quintessential institution of higher learning. It is where individuals obtain the necessary training, knowledge, and expertise to enter Fortressian society at the highest echelons of power in their respective fields of study.
Professional School
Professional school is for learning highly technical knowledge for specific jobs (usually jobs with protected titles), including but not limited to doctors and lawyers. Certification from a professional school proves that an individual is capable of practicing at the high standards demanded by the state.
Postgraduate studies
Postgraduate studies are any study or research done after one graduates from university.