Okinawa Hai About

For all you parents looking for a preschool that suits your kids, we’re hoping to add a little something to aid in your search. Parents of children who attend various preschools on island have filled out a series of questions about the schools for the benefit of the rest of us. We welcome more than one voice on each school since everyone has a different experience, so please feel free to add in your two cents in the comments.

If your child attends a school that has not been reviewed on this site, please contact our Submissions Manager for the template.

CONTRIBUTED BY TERESA BENJAMIN

Name of School: Maranatha Baptist Academy
Address: 4 Chome-43-2 Chibana
Phone: (098) 929-2695
Website: www.maranathabaptistokinawa.org
Ages Accepted: K4 through 12th grade

Ages of Your Kid(s) in this School: daughter, 4 (school goes from K through 4)

ADMISSIONS/ENROLLMENT

What is the maximum number of students that your school has? 16 per class

What is the current number of students? 12

Is enrollment open/year-round enrollment or per semester? Regular school year enrollment

Does my child have to be potty-trained to attend? yes

Can I bring my child in for a pre-enrollment visit? yes

DAYS & HOURS:

What are the school’s hours? 8:25 – 2:45, M-F

Is the school on a Japanese or American schedule? American

How flexible is the school with pickup and drop-off times? Not flexible

COSTS:

What are the registration fees? There is a registration fee ($75), a curriculum fee ($60) and you have to buy uniforms (from French Toast), school PE shirt ($7)

What are the tuition fees? $175 (but you have to be a member of the Marantha Baptist Church)

If any, what are the assessment and school supplies fees? You have to buy the Abeka curriculum

Are any discounts offered for referrals, siblings, volunteering, working there, etc.? second, third child & cheaper

Is there a late-pickup fee? No, students must be off the property by 2:50

How and when does the school require payment (in yen, dollars, etc.)? Payment is required by the 5th of the month

PARENT INVOLVEMENT & INTERACTION:

Are there parent/teacher conferences? Yes

CLASSROOM STRUCTURE & SIZE:

How are the kids grouped? by school ages (K-4, K-5, 1st grade, etc.)

What is the school’s educational philosophy? Is the school program developmentally-based or does it have an academic focus? Christian based, ABEKA curriculum is taught

Is there a playground for the children to play on? Yes

Are there extracurricular activities or field trips? Yes

How does the school discipline children? They use time outs and trips to the principal’s office. Parents are called to come and [discipline] the child on a second visit to the principal’s office in the same day

FINAL COMMENTS OR OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

This is a great school, if you want to join our church. Ashley is only 4 and can write her name in cursive. She not only is learning her numbers, letters, words, etc, but she is also learning about Jesus, how to pray, and be a good Christian. I am so glad we found this school and Church. Ashley will be attending Kindergarten and 1st grade there, instead of Stearley Heights Elementary School, while we live on Okinawa.

7 COMMENTS

  1. Another very important info that I found out from other parents who have kids in that school is that Maranatha practices corporal punishment. So, with that, I decided against taking my child there. I can discipline my own child in my own home…not anywhere else and definitely not corporal punishment. There are many effective ways of disciplining a child…inflicting physical pain on them is not the only way. Oh, and yes, I do have a very polite and kind child despite the lack of physical punishment.

  4. I am the original writer of this post. I am a current member of Maranatha Baptist Church and my daughter is in 1st grade there, now. She has been going for 3 years. Here is a link to the church website: http://www.maranathaokinawa.org/default.asp

    You can find a small bit about the school under “ministries.”

    For Lina: They do not have a after school care program.

    For Julie, the school is located out Gate 3 of Kadena. There is a bus service for a fee. I think it is $40 or $50 a month. I drive my daughter to school everyday. Tuition is based on the grade your child is in. I believe that 1st grade is the most expensive, and I pay $225 a month. K-4 and K-5 is $185 a month.

    I will submit an updated version of the school review to Okinawa Hai. If you have any other questions, you can e-mail me at teresabenjamin@yahoo.com. Thanks!

  5. Is there anymore updated information on Marantha Academy, I can’t find a website that tells the price and location and such. Also is there bus service and how does that work on the island. My children go to pensacola christian academy now and I would LOVE for them to be able to continue their curriculum in a love christian environment. Please if anyone has anymore information, this very, very anxious mother would greatly appreciate it!
    thank you so much,
    Julie

  6. Hi, thank you so much for posting this. I have been researching christian schools for my son. I will be moving there in June, and my son is already in the ABEKA curriculum at his academy here. So I would like to ask anyone who is there or has a child there, do they have some type of extended hours for AD military parents? Thank you… 🙂