1.
branch school; branch campus
A small satellite campus operated by a main school (本校), typically set up in a remote area so that local children do not have to travel far. Many are tiny, with a handful of pupils and combined-grade classes.
Composed of 分 (divided, branch) + 校 (school). Always defined against a 本校 (main campus), which handles administration and record-keeping.
Common collocations
- 分校に通う: to attend a branch school
- 分校を閉じる: to close a branch school
- 小学校の分校: an elementary-school branch campus
- 分校から本校へ移る: to transfer from the branch to the main campus
Cultural note
Branch schools are strongly associated with mountain villages and small islands. As rural populations age and shrink, closures (閉校) are frequent local news, and a closing 分校 is a common shorthand in Japanese media for depopulation.