Hope's Peak Academy

Hope's Peak Academy (希望ヶ峰学園 Kibōgamine Gakuen) is where much of The Hope's Peak Academy Saga takes place. To enroll, one must already be attendin school, and must be the very best at what they do. The students do not apply to the school, instead the school recruits them. If one graduates from Hope's Peak Academy, they are almost certainly guaranteed success in life. Students who are enrolled in the Main Course are given the title “Ultimate”, followed by their talent.

Description
Hope's Peak Academy is an exclusive, government-sanctioned school that only accepted students with exceptional abilities. The campus is in the center of a large city, where it appears quite prominent.

Main Course
Hope's Peak Academy's stated goal was to raise the future “hope” of the nation, earning it the moniker “The Academy of Hope”. Average high schoolers envy the students of the Main Course, as these Ultimates are almost guaranteed success in life by being a Hope's Peak graduate. Certainly, many Hope's Peak graduates were employed in high positions in every field of the professional world, so that statement was not an exaggeration.

Hope's Peak Academy was not a traditional learning facility like other schools. It provided education for the talented, while at the same time researching those talents. The teaching staff were not simple teachers, but also scientists who researched human talent.

There are two requirements to becoming a Hope's Peak main course student: One must be currently enrolled in high school and one must excel at their field of expertise; in the case of Ultimate Lucky Student, their "talent" is determined by winning an annual draw. Should the invitation be lost, a redraw occurs, as losing the invitation indicates their luck is not worthy of becoming an Ultimate.

Hope's Peak does not hold standard entrance exams, as the skills assessed by entrance exams are meaningless for its purposes. Instead, students are scouted by the school itself. While normally this is handled by scouts, occasionally The Steering Committee may interfere and override the decision of both the Headmaster and scouts, and bring in students of their own approval. Hope's Peak Academy's faculty members were much like parents, who made it their life's mission to find talent and nurture their children.

The students are not required to attend class; instead, they are encouraged to work on further developing their talents. Hope's Peak Academy holds required practical exams once every school year. Dignitaries and experts were invited to judge the talent of the students, along with media to report on the achievements of the students.

Reserve Course
Hope's Peak was originally a small-scale facility that survived on government subsidies and graduate donations. However, a lack of resources limited their ability to do research. The Steering Committee was not satisfied with this, so in order to bring in more money, they instituted a preparatory school system, called the Reserve Course. A separate class building on the main campus was constructed for the Reserve Course. It is located on the west quarter of the campus, while the main school is in the east quarter. The Main Course and Reserve Course students did not intermingle often due to this separation.

The Reserve Course didn't scout its students and relied on a regular entrance exam to choose potential students. The teachers were chosen the same way. While the teachers of the Main Course were also scientists who worked and lived at the school, the Reserve Course had regular teachers from outside. However, teachers from the main school could be reassigned to the Reserve Course if they demonstrated a failure to control their Ultimate students.

Even though it was technically just a regular high school, there was a flood of applications, due to brand name recognition. The prestigious Hope's Peak Academy had finally opened its doors to the public. Yasuke Matsuda explained the situation to Ryoko Otonashi:

By the events of Danganronpa/Zero, Hope's Peak Academy was set up like a pyramid class system in a third world country: The multitude of students in the preparatory school existed only to support the few Ultimates. There was a system in place for exceptional students in the Reserve Course to transfer to the main school, but no students managed it.

History
Hope's Peak Academy has been around for several hundred years, best known for continuously sending its students to be the best of their profession time and time again. Hajime Hinata states that many current leaders of various industries are alumni of Hope's Peak Academy.

In order to continue researching talents, Hope's Peak opened the Reserve Course as a way to gain funding and guinea pigs. During Class 77th's first year, Hope's Peak began construction of an overseas campus, under the direction of Kyosuke Munakata; on the main campus, the Twilight Syndrome Murder Case occurred, and The Kamukura Project proceeded. Soon after Class 78th was admitted, the Main Course was moved to the new school building on the main campus.

The Tragedy of Hope's Peak's Academy, also known as the First Mutual Killing game, took place between the student council members. All of the members were killed, except for the Student Council President, Soshun Murasame. Despite attempts at a cover up by the Steering Committee, a video of the debacle prepared by Junko Enoshima was sent to the students of the Reserve Course. This caused demonstrations and protests by Reserve Course Students known as The Parade. The Reserve Course Students stormed the new school building and killed all of the remaining Main Course students, except for Class 77-B and Class 78th. Soon after, Junko Enoshima sent all of the protesting students a brainwashing video, causing them to all commit suicide simultaneously. This then lead to The Tragedy, the shutdown of Hope's Peak, and the cancellation of the overseas campus project. Principal Jin Kirigiri and Class 78th converted the old school building into a shelter, and lived there until Jin's execution, and the Killing School Life.

Several months after the Final Killing Game, Hope's Peak was reopened, with former Class 78 student Makoto Naegi as the new headmaster.

Areas
The main campus of Hope's Peak Academy is diamond-shaped, and is about the size of four regular high-schools. It is divided into quarters, with the East side containing the facilities and classrooms for Ultimate students, the North side containing the old school building, and the West side containing the Reserve Course buildings. The South side housed the Main Course's dormitories, as well as their living necessities, such as a convenience store, a bookstore, and other shops. The central plaza is a relaxing common area for the students, and was open from 7:00 to 22:00.

Hope's Peak Academy Old School Building
The Old School Building, located in the North Quarter, was the location of both the First Killing Game and the Second Killing Game. Prior to being converted into a survival shelter, the building had a sophisticated air with red carpeting lining the tiled halls, and dark wooden moulding on the walls. The architecture integrated classic and modern design. In order to become a survival shelter, the windows were covered and bolted closed with thick metal plating. Before the Second Killing Game, Junko Enoshima covered the classrooms in colorful and animal-print wallpapers, and added colored lights. She also added surveillance cameras all throughout the school, and converted the Data Center into a Monitor room to view the surveillance footage in, with an attached Monokuma control room.

First Floor
On the first floor is the entrance hall, the school store, the A/V Room, a nurse's office, and Classrooms 1-A and 1-B. There is also the Gymnasium, which has a small Trophy Room as an entry hall. Attached to the first floor is “Hotel Despair”, the dormitory for the students, which includes a cafeteria, storage room, a trash room with an incinerator, and a bathhouse. There is also a room with a work elevator that leads to the basement of the school.

Second Floor
The Library and Archives, the swimming pool, and classrooms 2-A and 2-B are located on the second floor. Leading to the pool area are boy and girl changing rooms. Within the men's restroom on this floor is a secret room, containing secret documents and files about Hope's Peak Academy.

Third Floor
The Rec room is directly across from the stairs leading to the second floor. To the left is the Art Room and a storage room. To the right is the Physics Lab, which contains an air purifier and another storage room. Classrooms 3-A and 3-B are also on this floor.

Fourth Floor
This floor contains the Music Room, the Staff Room, the Headmaster's Office, the Chemistry Lab, and Classrooms 4-A and 4-B. The Data Processing Room is also on this floor and is kept locked; it connects to the Monokuma Control Room.

Fifth Floor
The fifth and top floor contains a dojo, along with the Biology Lab, which doubles as a morgue. The Greenhouse is found here, however, when the school was converted into a shelter, the windows were covered and painted sky blue, and artificial sun lamps were installed. Classrooms 5-A and 5-B are next to each other, and classroom 5-C is near the Biology Lab. Classroom 5-C is covered in blood and body chalk lines, likely a result of The Tragedy of Hope's Peak Academy.

Basement
Before The Tragedy, this basement was used for The Izuru Kamukura Project, and Izuru Kamukura lived there for an amount of time. For the Second Killing Game, it was converted into a grand room for the Class Trials. Separately is a trash dump. Makoto Naegi ends up there after Alter Ego saves him from execution. To exit the dump, there is a long ladder to a hatch that leads to the trash room.

Hope's Peak Academy New School Building
Opened in the 78th year of running the school, the New School Building is a tall tower-like structure with many floors that cascade near the upper levels. Main Course students were transferred from the Old School Building into the newer one after its construction was completed.

Biology Building
Located on the east quarter, the Biology Building is square-shaped, light green, and has multiple stories. It contains Yasuke Matsuda's Neurology laboratory.

Neuroscience Institute
The Neuroscience Institute is located on the third floor of the Science Building. It is outfitted with many scientific instruments and a medical trolley.

Faculty Buildings
Located in the East District of the Academy, the Faculty Buildings are lined up with one another and students are forbidden to access without prior invitation.

Meeting Room No. 13
Located on the top floor of the Faculty Building, Meeting Room No. 13 is the largest meeting room in the entire academy holding a maximum occupancy of around 300 people. Despite its size, the room only holds a long table, rather than being structured as an auditorium type of setting.

Hope's Peak Academy's Steering Committee Room
Hope's Peak Academy's Steering Committee Room is where the Steering Committee and current Headmaster meet to discuss the plans of the school's future as well as ongoing projects. The yearly drawing for the Ultimate Lucky Student also takes place in this room.

Other Buildings
In addition to the Biology, Faculty, and Old School Buildings, it has been stated that there are also buildings that go into the subjects of literature, science, physics, art, health, and language.

Courtyard
The Courtyards of Hope's Peak Academy are scattered throughout and are noted to be decorated with fountains and small grounds-keeping sheds.

Overseas Campus
The Overseas Campus began its construction during the 77th Class's first year. When the Tragedy struck, it was transformed into the Future Foundation's secret headquarters, until the Final Killing Game took place.

Class 66th

 * Daisaku Bandai (Ultimate Farmer)

Class 69th

 * Great Gozu (Ultimate Wrestler)

Class 74th

 * Kyosuke Munakata (Ultimate Student Council President)
 * Chisa Yukizome (Ultimate Housekeeper)
 * Juzo Sakakura (Ultimate Boxer)

Class 76th

 * Seiko Kimura (Ultimate Pharmacist)
 * Ruruka Ando (Ultimate Confectioner)
 * Sonosuke Izayoi (Ultimate Blacksmith)

Section-A

 * Soshun Murasame (Ultimate Student Council President)
 * Yasuke Matsuda (Ultimate Neurologist)
 * Yuto Kamishiro (Ultimate Secret Agent)
 * Shinobu Togami (Ultimate Secretary)

Section-B

 * Chiaki Nanami (Ultimate Gamer)
 * Nagito Komaeda (Ultimate Lucky Student)
 * Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu (Ultimate Yakuza)
 * Ibuki Mioda (Ultimate Musician)
 * Kazuichi Soda (Ultimate Mechanic)
 * Gundham Tanaka (Ultimate Breeder)
 * Ultimate Imposter
 * Ryota Mitarai (Ultimate Animator)
 * Mikan Tsumiki (Ultimate Nurse)
 * Hiyoko Saionji (Ultimate Traditional Dancer)
 * Akane Owari (Ultimate Gymnast)
 * Nekomaru Nidai (Ultimate Team Manager)
 * Teruteru Hanamura (Ultimate Cook)
 * Sonia Nevermind (Ultimate Princess)
 * Mahiru Koizumi (Ultimate Photographer)
 * Peko Pekoyama (Ultimate Swordswoman)

Class 78th

 * Makoto Naegi (Ultimate Lucky Student)
 * Sayaka Maizono (Ultimate Pop Sensation)
 * Kyoko Kirigiri (Ultimate Detective)
 * Byakuya Togami (Ultimate Affluent Progeny)
 * Chihiro Fujisaki (Ultimate Programmer)
 * Kiyotaka Ishimaru (Ultimate Moral Compass)
 * Celestia Ludenberg/Taeko Yasuhiro (Ultimate Gambler)
 * Toko Fukawa/Genocide Jack (Ultimate Writing Prodigy/Ultimate Murderous Fiend)
 * Aoi Asahina (Ultimate Swimming Pro)
 * Sakura Ogami (Ultimate Martial Artist)
 * Hifumi Yamada (Ultimate Fanfic Creator)
 * Yasuhiro Hagakure (Ultimate Clairvoyant)
 * Mondo Owada (Ultimate Biker Gang Leader)
 * Leon Kuwata (Ultimate Baseball Star)
 * Junko Enoshima (Ultimate Fashionista)
 * Mukuro Ikusaba (Ultimate Soldier)

The Student Council

 * Soshun Murasame (Ultimate Student Council President)
 * Kotomi Ikuta (Student Council Vice President)
 * Karen Kisaragi (Student Council Secretary)
 * Suzuko Kashiki
 * Kiriko Nishizawa
 * Daiki Kubo
 * Shoji Yoko
 * Aiko Umesawa
 * Sosuke Ichino
 * Tsubasa Kamii
 * Taro Kurosaki
 * Tomohiko Goryoku
 * Asukasei Hino
 * Ryota Someya

The Elementary School Division

 * Monaca Towa (Li'l Ultimate Homeroom)
 * Nagisa Shingetsu (Li'l Ultimate Social Studies)
 * Masaru Daimon (Li'l Ultimate P.E.)
 * Kotoko Utsugi (Li'l Ultimate Drama)
 * Jataro Kemuri (Li'l Ultimate Art)

The Reserve Course Department

 * Hajime Hinata
 * Natsumi Kuzuryu
 * Sato

Others

 * Izuru Kamukura (Ultimate Hope)
 * The Madarai brothers (Ultimate Bodyguard/Ultimate Multiple Birth Siblings)
 * Santa Shikiba (Ultimate Botanist)
 * Ultimate Physicist
 * Miaya Gekkogahara (Ultimate Therapist)
 * Ted Chikatilo (Ultimate Pyrotechnician)
 * Ultimate Make-up Artist
 * Toranosuke Ishimaru (Ultimate Manager)
 * Suzuhiko Otsuki (Ultimate Hitman)
 * Ichiro Togami (Ultimate Surgeon)
 * Jiro Togami (Ultimate Karate Master)
 * Yusuke Togami (Ultimate Gourmet)
 * Asa, Yoru and Hiru Togami (Ultimate Weather Forecasters)
 * Sana Kagami (Ultimate Brother Complex)
 * Naomi Kagami (Ultimate Dual Personality)
 * Tsurugi Hitomoshi (Ultimate Rock Climber)
 * Ultimate Elite Task Force Members

Staff

 * Makoto Naegi (Headmaster)
 * Kyoko Kirigiri
 * Byakuya Togami
 * Aoi Asahina
 * Toko Fukawa
 * Yasuhiro Hagakure
 * Komaru Naegi

Former Staff

 * Izuru Kamukura (Founder)
 * The Steering Committee
 * Jin Kirigiri (Headmaster)
 * Kazuo Tengan (Headmaster)
 * Koichi Kizakura (Talent Scout and Homeroom Teacher)
 * Chisa Yukizome (Homeroom Teacher)
 * Unnamed P.E. Teacher
 * Juzo Sakakura (Head of Security)

Trivia

 * Monokuma's left eye (the red vertical stripe) is inspired by the Hope's Peak Academy logo.