So you and your family are here on Okinawa (or getting ready to PCS to our lovely island) and you’ve got questions about the schools. Well, we’ve got some answers.
Got school-aged kids? Here are some helpful links to get you started:
2012-2013 DoDDS Okinawa School Calendar
DoDDS Kindergarten Entrance Age FAQs
School Commuting Zones (Guide & Maps) (on base pages 1-15; off base pages 16-19)
School-Aged Services Program on Kadena Air Force Base and Marine Corps Bases
Leonardo da Vinci Academy – Individualized curriculum based on student needs (K-12)
Maranatha Baptist Academy – American/Christian-based curriculum (K4 & K5 to 4th Grade)
Okinawa Christian School International (K4 & K5 to 12th grade)
World Mission Christian School – American/Christian-based curriculum (pre-K to 12th grade)
Homeschooling Resources, Homeschooling Groups on Okinawa, F.I.S.H. faith-based homeschool co-op
Then there’s the question about preschools: Can I send my preschooler to a Japanese school? Are there American-run preschools on the economy? What are my on-base options?
Listed below are the preschools we have information on, all submitted by our readers. Please keep in mind that these are all parent-submitted reviews; Okinawa Hai does not endorse or recommend any specific schools, and the information about fees and costs may not be entirely up-to-date. Please contact each school directly for more accurate information.
(In alphabetical order:)
All Souls’ Episcopal Church Children’s Program
American Montessori Preschool Mihama
Baby 123 Island Style Daycare & Preschool
Clover Montessori International Preschool
Golden Mind Achievers International Preschool
Hanazono Yochien – Japanese preschool
Hirayasu Yochien – Japanese preschool
Kids Place 24 Hour Rush Daycare – Japanese dropoff daycare
Koza Seibo Yochien – Japanese preschool
Kuwae Preschool – Lester Navy Base
Matsumoto Daycare and Preschool – Admissions CLOSED to New English Speaking Students
Okinawa Montessori School – 2013 review; 2007/2010 review
Rainbow Montessori Education Center – 2012 Review; 2008 Review
Santa Monica International Kids School* – This post was removed from our site in April 2013 at the request of the administration. We will not publish any additional reviews of it in the future.
Wakaba Child Development Center – Kadena Air Base
Wee Care International Preschool
Youzefu Yochien – Japanese preschool
Or maybe you’re just looking for childcare for your littlest ones while you’re at work? Here are some helpful links to help you get started:
Kadena Air Base Child Development Centers
Kadena Air Base Family Child Care Program
Helpful Reader Comment: The Family Child Care office on Kadena offers a list of off-base childcare providers. They are located at building 1850 behind the Kadena Youth Center. Their number is 634-3464, if you want to call. They are on the same road as the USO; coming in Gate 2 take the first right just past the entrance to the USO; it will be on your right (the building looks like a fire dept. building.)
Okinawa Marine Corps Bases Child Development Centers
Okinawa Marine Corps Bases Family Child Care Program
Do you have a child enrolled in a school not listed here? Want to let other parents know what you think of it? Email our Submissions Manager about filling out a template.
