Okinawa, Japan Report of what it's like to live there - 10/16/14
Personal Experiences from Okinawa, Japan
School Name:
Okinawa Christian School International
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
Kindergarten- 5th grade.
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2009-2012.
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Military.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
We had had such a great international experience at a previous post that I wanted to immerce my children in again. I was afraid of staying in my "bubble" on the military base by going to the DoD schools.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
A
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
A- They did offer some support and groups for new families. Had a better experience elsewhere which offered local tours and activities for new people.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. For the following attributes, down to the next blank box, grade your experience at the school on a scale of A (excellent) to F (unacceptable/terrible) and provide comments:<br><br>Overall fair and equitable treatment of all students and families:
A
2. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
A
Teachers were always available and accessible by both phone and email. Great emphasis placed on Student-led conferences. Teachers really seemed to care about the whold development of my children, not just on academics.
3. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
4. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
The school is accredited and avergages higher that the U.S. standards when it comes to nationalized testing. Most graduates were able to attend a wide variety of international colleges.
5. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
A
6. Administration-parent communication:
A+
Anne Bezner (elementary prinicpal) was AMAZING. Very supportive to both the locals and expats.
7. Academics, answer the following questions "yes" or "no" with an explanation if appropriate:<br><br>Are there any classes or subjects where students are not appropriately challenged?
No
8. Does your child receive any special-needs assistance or instruction at this school? If yes, what types? Who provides services and where:
No
9. Do you believe the special-needs assistance is appropriate and fills your needs? Explain:
10. Does the gifted and talented program meet the needs of students? Please explain:
11. Does the school offer a wide variety of elective or non-core classes such as art, music, and drama?
Yes
12. Please describe any classes or programs that you believe are missing:
No American football :-)
13. Are there academic requirements such as trips or other activities that cost money in addition to school fees?
Yes
14. What activities do you feel are missing?
Home Ec
15. Does the school provide appropriate assistance to new students?
Yes
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
2. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
C+
Limited in scope.
3. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
B
Growing resources.
4. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
B+
Great gym facility and outdoor spaces.
5. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
A+
12:1 at most.
6. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
IB curriculum with Japananese and Christian electives.
7. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes
8. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes
9. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
10. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Yes
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Yes
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
No. It felt like a "big family" there.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
Small classrooms. Caring teachers.
2. Greatest challenge?
Like most buildings in Okinawa, everything is made out of concrete. Some rooms felt dark or old because of this.
3. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Yes. Great staff, small classrooms.
