N High School Group's Online Education to be Piloted in Full-Time High School: Iizuka High School Conducts Trial Using "ZEN Study"

Kadokawa Dwango Educational Institution N High School, S High School, and R High School (hereinafter referred to as the N High School Group) and Shimada Gakuen Iizuka High School (Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, hereinafter referred to as Iizuka High School) have been conducting an educational collaboration trial since May 2024, combining digital learning materials from "ZEN Study," an original learning system developed and operated by Dwango Co., Ltd. for students of the N High School Group, with online classes taught by ZEN Study instructors.

This trial, as part of Iizuka High School's DX High School initiative, aims to expand the online education know-how and learning content cultivated by a correspondence high school to a full-time high school. Over the two years of implementation, results are beginning to emerge in terms of improving learning efficiency, achieving high-level learning, establishing student learning habits, and developing teaching methods with instructors.

Background

Full-time high schools in regional areas often face challenges with limited access to advanced learning content for university entrance exams compared to urban areas, leading to disparities in learning opportunities.

In response to this situation, Iizuka High School consulted with the N High School Group regarding the introduction of digital education and remote learning as promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The N High School Group decided to participate in this trial and provide its know-how in utilizing "ZEN Study," believing it could contribute to solving the challenges of regional education and updating public education by leveraging the online education methods cultivated as a correspondence high school and the "ZEN Study" system developed and operated by Dwango Co., Ltd.

Overview of the Initiative

This initiative involves introducing the system into classroom-based face-to-face lessons conducted at Iizuka High School, particularly for mathematics instruction. In these classes, mathematics instructor Yuji Ogura conducts interactive remote instruction using tools such as Zoom.

The N High School Group provided Iizuka High School with practical operational knowledge, including student progress management using the system, unique learning guidance, and proposed lesson plans based on performance analysis, as well as advice on effective utilization and points to consider when advising students.

Through this, the aim is to build teaching styles that can accommodate diverse situations and student circumstances, such as providing instruction tailored to student needs, utilizing the system as an alternative to unsupervised study when instructors are unavailable in the future, and enabling hybrid classes where students requiring special support can participate remotely.

Phased Expansion of Implementation Scale and Rollout to All Grades

【Implementation Period】

May 2024 - (Ongoing)

【Target Students】

Students in the Advanced Course at Iizuka High School

FY2024: Total of 19 students in 2nd and 3rd year (8 in 2nd year, 11 in 3rd year)

FY2025: Total of 47 students in 1st to 3rd year (22 in 1st year, 17 in 2nd year, 8 in 3rd year)

【Implementation Details】

Real-time Zoom classes by ZEN Study instructor (Mr. Yuji Ogura) (approx. twice a month)

Interactive classes using chat, answer correction, and assignment provision of ZEN Study digital materials (from junior high school review to Mathematics I, A, II, B, III, C, and up to university entrance exam level)

Conducting short quizzes and providing individual feedback on learning status, University entrance exam career guidance

【Number of Sessions (FY2024)】

2nd Year: 14 sessions (May - February)

3rd Year: 8 sessions (September - February)

Summer Course: 3 sessions

【Number of Sessions (FY2025)】

1st and 2nd Year: 18 sessions (April - March)

3rd Year: 14 sessions (April - February)

◾️ Results Observed Through the Initiative

【Improvement in Learning Environment Through Classes by Instructors Proficient in Exams and Subjects】

By having ZEN Study instructors lead advanced mathematics classes with university entrance exams in mind, a high-quality learning environment is provided to students. Furthermore, it leads to improvements in the learning guidance environment through performance analysis utilizing data unique to ZEN Study.

【Efficient Learning and Establishment of Self-Directed Learning Habits】

By providing digital materials tailored to each student's academic ability and challenges, an environment has been created where students can efficiently learn within limited time, starting from areas where they struggle, learning what they lack, or conversely, learning what they want to learn more about. Additionally, through continuous specific advice on learning attitudes, such as conducting short quizzes, how to use notebooks, and how to approach problems, a system has been established where students can feel their daily growth.

As a result, the establishment of "self-thinking and self-learning habits" is steadily progressing, including the ability to think about "why" things are the way they are, rather than just memorizing solutions, and the attitude to persistently tackle challenging tasks. The environment where students can receive online lectures from top-level instructors nationwide while being in a regional area is seen as a first step towards resolving educational disparities between regions.

This initiative, which expands the learning system used by N High School Group students to full-time high schools, serves as an example demonstrating the creation of an environment where everyone can receive high-quality education regardless of location.

Future Initiatives

In FY2026, we aim to improve academic ability for university entrance exams and build new teaching styles, focusing on the learning habits that students are steadily establishing.

The N High School Group and Iizuka High School will jointly promote the updating of the educational environment through an approach that combines online and real-world learning.

◆ About "ZEN Study" ◆

This is an advanced original learning system developed for students of N High School, S High School, and R High School, operated by Kadokawa Dwango Educational Institution. It is used for learning compulsory and extracurricular classes required to obtain a high school diploma.

It features high-quality video lectures and digital materials by skilled instructors, as well as online interactive classes and learning progress management functions. It is optimized for learning on PCs, smartphones, and tablets, with video and lesson text displayed on the same screen, supporting efficient and advanced hybrid learning tailored to each student's lifestyle and comprehension level.

ZEN Study: https://www.nnn.ed.nico/

◆ About Shimada Gakuen Iizuka High School ◆

<Iizuka High School (Location: 1224 Iwaya, Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)>

Iizuka High School is a full-time high school offering "Exploration Project (Advanced Course)," "Next Project (General Department)," and "Automotive Specialization Course." With GLI education (Global, Local, Individual) as its educational philosophy, it is engaged in education that fosters internationality and individual capabilities while being rooted in the community.

Website: https://iizuka.ed.jp/

◆ About Kadokawa Dwango Educational Institution N High School, S High School, R High School ◆

<N High School (Main Campus: Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture, Principal: Hirokazu Okudaira) / S High School (Main Campus: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Principal: Naoko Yosii) / R High School (Main Campus: Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, Principal: Hirokazu Okudaira)>

The N High School Group is a "high school on the internet" that utilizes the internet and the system of correspondence high schools. After the opening of "N High School" in 2016, the second school, "S High School," opened in 2021, and the third school, "R High School," will open in 2025. The current student enrollment is 36,371 (as of the end of March 2026). In addition to providing cutting-edge online learning environments utilizing VR and AI, students can take compulsory classes for high school graduation, as well as a wide range of extracurricular classes such as university entrance exam preparation, programming, illustration, novel writing, game development, fashion, cooking, and beauty, online at their convenience. They also offer learning opportunities to acquire practical skills and experiences useful in society, such as hands-on vocational training held nationwide and problem-solving learning programs in collaboration with companies and local governments.

Website: https://nnn.ed.jp/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@n_highschool

X: https://twitter.com/nhigh_info Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nhighschool

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nshighschool

◆ About Kadokawa Dwango Educational Institution N Junior High School ◆

N Junior High School is a "Progressive School" with a new concept, in consideration of the spirit of the Act on Securing Educational Opportunities. Currently, 1,686 students are studying nationwide (as of the end of March 2026). At N Junior High School, students learn three core areas: general knowledge, thinking skills, and practical skills, to develop comprehensive abilities. With a diverse range of learning content including 21st-century skills, programming, and foundational learning (Japanese, Math, English), each student can learn at their own pace, find their goals, and take proactive steps, opening up the first step towards their dreams of future careers and paths.

*N Junior High School is not a junior high school as defined in Article 1 of the School Education Act. Students study at N Junior High School while remaining enrolled in their own junior high school.

Website: https://n-jr.jp/ X: https://twitter.com/njrjp1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nnn.jr.f