On March 10, 2025, the number of successful candidates from various high schools entering the University of Tokyo was revealed, sparking interest among academic circles and prospective students alike. Leading the rankings was Kaisei High School from Tokyo, boasting 149 students who passed the entrance exams. This solidified the institution's prestigious position at the top for 44 consecutive years since 1982, maintaining the same number of successful candidates as the previous year.
Following closely behind was Seiko Gakuin from Kanagawa with 95 successful applicants, though this number represented a slight drop from last year’s 100. The rankings continued with Hibiya High School (Tokyo) at 3rd with 80 students passing, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s 60. Public institutions like Yokohama Suiran (Kanagawa) exhibited notable growth this year as well, rising to 6th with 74 students passing—a remarkable leap from just 44 last year.
The shifts among the rankings highlighted the recent achievements of public schools within the Tokyo region, which have increasingly challenged the traditional private school dominance. Yokohama Suiran’s improvement, alongside Hibiya’s success, indicates the emergence of serious contenders among public institutions.
At the same time, other schools like Azabu and Nada also held strong positions, ranking 4th and 5th with 79 and 75 students respectively. Despite their consistent performances over the years, both institutions faced increased competition from newcomers and rising public schools.
The rise of public schools has sparked discussions within educational circles. Kenichi Ishihara, a university entrance exam analyst with years of experience at Sundai Prep School, shared insights on the factors contributing to these changes. He noted, 22The increase may be because the Common Test was easier to score on, leading to more students willing to take the challenge.22 This evident trend of increased endeavors by students is not only reshaping the competitive ethos but could potentially alter the educational fabric of high school applicants across Japan.
The current rankings are provisional, primarily based on surveys conducted by Inter-Edu.com, which collaborates with various schools to gather data on successful applicants. The final values are still pending; schools have until the official reporting date to submit their data. The rankings experienced by these high schools could also change as more definitive results emerge.
The expected publication of these insights will come on March 12, 2025, with AERA magazine set to feature extensive analysis along with narratives embracing the aspirations and research interests of students overcoming one of the most challenging university entrance exams.
Historically, numerous schools have made headlines for their students’ accomplishments, but as shown by the current data, more public institutions are now entering the fray, garnering significant attention and respect. Many educational stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and educational bodies, will be eagerly watching as these developments progress, which could influence future pathways for students.
Generally, this year's results reflect changing dynamics within the educational sphere of Japan. With the competitive nature of entering elite universities, the ranks of public high schools gaining traction only serve to increase the stakes of academic excellence. This shift not only inspires those involved but also creates opportunities for broader representation and access to top-tier universities.
Looking forward, the atmosphere surrounding university admissions will likely remain highly competitive. This year’s results from the University of Tokyo entrance exams could mark the beginning of new challenges and successes for students and schools alike, reshaping narratives and expectations throughout Japan's educational structure.