Schooling information

Homeschool Groups

OCHEA is not the only homeschool group/co-op on Okinawa. For more information regarding any of the following please reach out to the representatives from each co-op.

Faith In Schooling Home (FISH) Co-op A co-op for Christian homeschooling families on island. Members meet once weekly for a variety of classes during the school year. There are fees to cover the cost of supplies. Registration is limited and usually closed before co-op begins in late August/early September. To request more information please send an email to okinawa.fish.homeschool.coop@gmail.com.

Classical Conversations is an educational service company for homeschool families. To learn more, please visit http://classicalconversations.com.

Facebook Groups:

• Okinawa Homeschool Group
• Okinawa Mommas Who Homeschool

Schooling Choices

OCHEA is a homeschooling support group, but we encourage you to pray and follow the Lord's leading for your family. Besides homeschooling, some other options are:

DoDEA schools on base - if you are SOFA status and have permission.

Japanese public schools - if you are a Japanese citizen or here on a non-SOFA visa.

Private schools, English - the English-language Okinawa Yellow Pages carries listings of these. Three of the Christian ones reaching to the upper grades are OCSI (Okinawa Christian School International), New Life Academy, and Zion Christian Fellowship Academy. There are several church preschools and Montessori preschools, also found listed in the Yellow Pages or advertised in the weekly Japan Update.

Private schools, Japanese - there are secular and a few Christian ones, but they can be hard to track down. You may not have to be able to speak Japanese to enroll your child, because sometimes one person at the school will know enough English. It's not uncommon for English-speaking families to send their kids to Japanese preschools, but not as common for the higher grades.

DoDEA school offerings - homeschoolers are eligible to take classes, check out books from the library, and use special education services at DoDDS schools, as well as participate in extracurricular activities. Call your local school to find out how to register and what services are available.

Private classes - of course, there are an abundance of lessons and extracurricular activities both on and off base: soccer, basketball, football, baseball/t-ball, roller hockey, gymnastics, ballet, karate, swimming, piano, violin, arts & crafts, library storytime, Japanese language, etc.