noun
school closing ceremony
A formal ceremony held when a school is permanently closed. Not to be confused with a graduation or end-of-term ceremony.
少子化の影響で、今年度で閉校する小学校の閉校式が行われた。
Due to the declining birthrate, a closing ceremony was held for the elementary school that will close at the end of this school year.
卒業式 is a graduation ceremony for students, whereas 閉校式 marks the permanent closure of the entire school.
終業式 is an end-of-term ceremony, not a school closure ceremony.
Compound of 閉 (へい, 'close') + 校 (こう, 'school') + 式 (しき, 'ceremony').