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Army
School Liaison
Sobe, Yomitan-son
Okinawa Japan 904-0304
011-81-98-970-5555
315-652-4703
Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.
Each installation provides information about the types of schools and programs offered on or near your installation for your child. Learn about the types of programs, guidelines and requirements for each school. Whether you choose to send your child to a Department of Defense School, a private school or public school, your installation can help you explore all of your options to make the right decision for you and your child.
Education packets are available upon request through the schools and may be obtained before your arrival.
Your child will temporarily attend the school that is zoned for Temporary Lodging Facilities. Zoning information is available at the School Liaisons Office. When you know where you'll be living (on, or off-base), there's a possibility that your child could be moved to another school, unless you live in the same zoned area.
All 14 DOD Dependent Schools on Okinawa are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Together they provide an education for about 10,000 students, and boast some of the best schools in the entire DoDDS system. Over the years, the DoDDS students' Scholastic Aptitude Test scores for both verbal and mathematical skills have been higher than the national average.
Enrollment
DoDEA gge requirement are:
If you have any questions about exceptions, contact DoDEA.
Please note that the sponsor must accomplish the initial enrollment of each student. This may not be accomplished by the spouse/other family member initially.
It is Mandatory that all returning students register for each school year. Information updates are required to ensure sufficient staff is available to support student population.
Documentation Required for School Registration includes, but is not limited to:
Transition
Parents of students moving to Okinawa should insure that extended leave and travel time will not jeopardize their child's class standing. Though students can read missed chapters in a book, they cannot duplicate class discussions and projects which enhance understanding and may be a part of semester examinations.
School Zoning
The school assignment depends upon the student's grade level and the school zone in which the family resides. School zones change and may be expected to continue to change as the number of accompanied tours increases and new housing is built to accommodate the families. For current information, please call the Bus Registration Office located on Camp Foster upon arrival on Okinawa.
Pupil/Teacher Ratio
The elementary school PTR is kept close to 25 to 1 and varies at times, but seldom does it increase beyond 30 to 1. In secondary schools, the ratio is approximately 25 to 1.
Special Education
All children with disabilities from ages 3 to 21 (unless graduated from high school), who are space required are eligible for an appropriate education on the DOD schools. If you have such dependents in your family, you are required to enroll in the Exceptional Family Member (EFMP) at your current command. EFMP screenings are required prior to a PCS move overseas.
School Sports, Activities
A multitude of extra-curricular events are available in DoDDS. American high schools on Okinawa provide strong varsity football, basketball, Track, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Soccer and other sports programs.
The less sports-oriented can hone their skills at student government, Yearbook, Newspaper, school dances, drama clubs, Instrumental Music, Choral, Music, Drama, Letterman's Club, Cheerleaders, Drill Team, Stage Crew, Radio Club, Boys-Girls Intramurals, Photography, Computer Club, Honor Societies, Young Astronauts, Ecology Club, Forensics, Boys-Girls Cross Country and many other school-sponsored activities. School here is in every normal respect like that in the states, except that on Okinawa, the added benefit of experiencing a whole different culture is available right outside the gate. Advanced placement and Honors classes, JROTC, and AVID are offered at both high schools.
Talented and Gifted Program
This program is available for students who meet the DoDDS identification criteria. Incoming students must provide evaluative evidence from previous schools that is consistent with the DoDDS criteria. Instructional programs are provided by fully qualified TAG resource teachers and the regular classroom teachers.
Supplementary Services Available
There are a variety of specialists and programs which supplement and enrich the regular classroom program. All schools are staffed with a guidance counselor, a nurse, a reading improvement specialist, an English As a Second Language specialist, compensatory education teacher and an information specialist (librarian). Sure Start, a program targeted for "at risk" children who would benefit from a comprehensive preschool experience, is in place in four schools on Okinawa. Additionally, three school psychologists provide itinerant service to all twelve schools, and the two work experience coordinators, assigned to the high schools, provide appropriate services to all schools upon request.
In addition to the core subjects, art, music, and physical education programs are conducted by teachers fully qualified in these fields. One of the most unique programs in DoDDS is the host nation culture program. The culture teachers in our schools provide Japanese culture and language activities which help our students enjoy and appreciate living overseas. Japanese at the secondary level is in the foreign language department along with Spanish, German and French.
Standardized basic skills achievement tests are administered in the spring. The DoDDS Okinawa District students have consistently scored higher than their stateside counterparts in all areas. Over the years, the DoDDS Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores for both the verbal and mathematical skills have been higher than the national average.
Library
All DoDDS schools have library/information centers that exceed the NCA's accepted standards. The library facilities in all schools include extensive collections of library books, audiovisual materials and equipment. Each of the libraries has a computer network (LAN) which provides students access to information within the school and worldwide. All schools are equipped with variety of multimedia resources.
A film center provides films and other resources to all on-island schools. In addition to DoDDS libraries, students also have access and use of base library facilities.
Other Enrichment Activities
Okinawa has been the host for Pacific Region activities for the Far East Speech and Drama Festival, Far East Boys' Basketball (AA Division) and Cheerleading Competition, the Honors Far East Music Festival and the Far East Computer Contest. In addition, students from Okinawa may compete in the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium held in Tsukuba, Japan. Locally, an island wide science fair and spelling bee are held annually.
School Advisory Committee
There is a SAC at each school, comprised of 50% parents and 50% professional educators (teachers) of the respective schools, to advise the principal on school matters. We believe that parents, teachers, students, DoDDS administrators, and military commanders share the responsibility to work collectively in supporting the schools and to enhance programs. This support is required to improve not only the delivery of educational programs and services to DoDDS students, but also to improve the overall quality of life shared by all personnel in the American overseas communities, of which the schools are an integral part.
PTA/Parent Volunteers
We welcome parent volunteers in our schools. Many programs in our schools are enhanced through the time and efforts provided by parents and other interested adults in our community. Please let the school know when you will be available to help and the kind of help you wish to offer. We have active Parent Teacher's Associations in each school that are affiliated with the National PTA in the US.
There are 14 DoD Dependent Schools on Okinawa fall under DoDDS Okinawa District. Your child will temporarily attend the school that is zoned for your temporary billeting/quarters. Zoning information is available at the School Liaison Office, from Stateside 011-81-98-962-4703; DSN 315-652-4703.
All 13 DoDDS on Okinawa are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Together they provide an education for about 10,000 students, and boast some of the best schools in the entire DoDDS system.
The Army Continuing Education System (ACES) and the USAG Okinawa Torii Station Education Center mission is to deliver quality education programs and services that enhances personal growth, professional development, and readiness of USAG Okinawa Soldiers and their Family Members. USAG Okinawa Soldiers may take advantage of the following colleges/university while stationed on Okinawa:University of Maryland Global CampusEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University Troy State University