St. Lucia Academy

St. Lucia Academy (聖ルチーア学園, Hijiri Ruchīa Gakuen) is a boarding school for higher education, located near Hinamizawa. The academy is a "hidden rich-girls' school", largely isolated from the outside world and known only to the elite. The academy is used both for those who wish for their daughters to be brought up in a "pure" environment and also for those who wish to shield the existence of their daughters from the greater world.

St. Lucia Academy's second year students are divided into a "Regular Class", consisting of the majority of students, and a "Special Class", for students with mediocre grades. Students in the Special Class who are unable to bring their grades up are not allowed to graduate.

The academy first appears in Meakashi-hen. In the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime, the academy first appears in episode 16. In Umineko no Naku Koro ni, the academy first appears in Alliance of the Golden Witch. In Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou, Rika Furude mentions having spent time at St. Lucia Academy after the events of Matsuribayashi-hen. Both Satoko Houjou and Rika attend the Academy in episode 19.

Ange Ushiromiya was often bullied while at the academy due to her family's past.

Notable Students

• Shion Sonozaki
• Mizuho Kousaka
• Ange Ushiromiya
• Rika Furude
• Satoko Houjou

Trivia

• The academy is described as a reclusive, elite school in Meakashi-hen, however entrance exam study booklets are readily available at the Okinomiya library in Satokowashi-hen.
• St. Lucia Academy may be named in reference to Saint Lucia, an island visited by Agatha Christie while on holiday.