Okinawa International School

Okinawa International School operates across two campuses in Okinawa, Japan: the Nanjo Campus on a hilltop in Tamagusuku and the Naha Campus in central Naha City. The Nanjo Campus sits on elevated ground with views toward the East China Sea. The Nanjo address is 143 Fusato, Tamagusuku, Nanjo City, Okinawa 901-0695, Japan, and the Naha Campus is located at 2-13-26, Tsubogawa, Naha City, 4F, Okinawa 900-0025, Japan.

OIS offers education from early childhood through high school. The IB continuum is implemented across Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP), with the High School also offering an International Liberal Arts (ILA) track. The school provides preschool/kindergarten through elementary, middle, and high school, with IB accreditation for the PYP, MYP, and DP levels.

The school is co-educational and operates as a day school. It does not offer on-site boarding; accommodation for international students is available through a homestay option. The second campuses and bilingual, cross-cultural approach reflect its international profile.

OIS has a notable international student presence. In 2025, more than 60% of the student body was reported to be from outside Okinawa Prefecture, with many families relocating from the Tokyo area. The school's IB World School status and international programs reflect a diverse, globally oriented student community.

OIS describes its learning environment as bilingual (English and Japanese) and emphasizes team teaching by international and Japanese teachers. Specific formal SEN provisions are not publicly listed on the main materials, but the school highlights inquiry-based, inclusive education and language development as core features.

No formal country affiliation is stated. OIS operates as an international IB World School located in Okinawa, Japan.

There is no religious affiliation publicly stated for Okinawa International School. The school presents an international, values-driven approach without a formal religious mandate.

Open Campus materials indicate a typical school day structure with start times around 8:30–9:00 and a midday break, followed by afternoon sessions; schedules vary by program (PYP, MYP, DP). On Open Campus days, class observations and information sessions run in the morning, with lunch around midday.

OIS operates a school bus system with multiple routes, including Okinawa City Middle Area Route, Ginowan/Urasoe Route, North of Naha City (Shuri Route), South of Naha City (Oroku Route), and Tomigusuku/Itoman Route. The bus service connects key areas to the Nanjo and Naha campuses.

Okinawa International School offers an IB continuum from early childhood through high school, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP); PYP was certified in July 2011, MYP in July 2016, and DP in December 2020. The Elementary division delivers PYP from the pre‑primary Owlet (3 years) and Eaglet (4–5) through Grade 5, organized around six transdisciplinary themes (Theme 1: Who We Are; Theme 2: Where We Are in Place and Time; Theme 3: How We Express Ourselves; Theme 4: How the World Works; Theme 5: How We Organize Ourselves; Theme 6: Sharing the Planet) and concludes with a Grade 5 Exhibition; teaching is bilingual, combining English and Japanese instruction with language targets across both languages. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) runs from Grade 6 to Grade 10, emphasizing holistic, cross‑disciplinary learning and intercultural understanding, and includes Community Project and Personal Project as capstones; there is strong English language support and ongoing language development as students prepare for the Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme (DP) is taught in DP1–DP2, organized around six subject groups (Language and Literature; Language Acquisition; Individuals and Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; The Arts) plus the DP Core of Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS; the DP is graded on a 45‑point scale, with 24 points needed for the DP certificate and higher scores supporting admission to top universities. The Upper School also offers the International Liberal Arts (ILA) track, a three‑year program that meets university entry requirements and targets study at domestic or international universities.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). The school's mission emphasizes human rights and peace, harmony with nature, and multicultural understanding, which underpin an approach that supports students' social and emotional development through inquiry-based learning and global citizenship. Okinawa International School is an IB World School offering PYP, MYP, and DP, with the DP including an International Liberal Arts course to broaden post-secondary options; these IB frameworks promote collaboration and inquiry, contributing to SEL-oriented outcomes. The Parents Association runs IB workshops and other events to engage families and support student learning and well-being in partnership with the school. There are community structures named NEST (preschool), FOREST (elementary), and CLOUD (middle) that connect students and parents across divisions, signaling a school-wide community framework that supports belonging and engagement.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN). The About/Organization sections show a general IB framework and parent/community activities but do not list a dedicated SEN department or explicit SEN services. In the early years, the program includes ELL within daily activities (ELL is integrated into preschool schedules), indicating emphasis on language support within regular programs rather than a separate SEN unit. A transfer program page notes there is no special English training for newcomers; English language development is integrated into regular classes rather than a stand-alone SEN program. The IB framework and broad school mission suggest an inclusive, global approach, but specific SEN provisions are not publicly detailed on the site.

OIS is a bilingual English–Japanese school with explicit emphasis on developing English language proficiency through an English-four-skills program. The OIS environment for study states that the school has a structured program to develop the four skills of English and to support bilingual learning. In kindergarten and early years, schedules show explicit ELL components (for example, Owlet classes include ELL sessions). A transfer program page notes that there are no special English-language classes for new entrants; language development occurs within the regular IB-program framework rather than via separate EAL instruction. The bilingual program is described as a core feature, with progression aims and English-language development embedded across grade levels. Overall, EAL support is described as integrated into regular classes and activities rather than as a standalone EAL department.

The school publicly discloses limited explicit mental wellbeing programming beyond its general emphasis on a holistic, inquiry-based IB education. In preschool, the program includes a focus on social-emotional development through a play-based curriculum (the "Waku-Waku Program"), which targets emotional stability and foundational social skills in the Cygnet class. The preschool daily schedule includes extended care and structured activities that support social interaction and emotional development. The content also indicates emphasis on safe, supportive learning environments and age-appropriate social development within the early years. Beyond these preschool provisions, explicit mental wellbeing programs for older students are not publicly described on the site; involvement with families via the Parents Association and community activities may contribute to a supportive school culture. The preschool environment also notes health checks and family involvement as part of student care.

The site does not publicly disclose a formal safeguarding policy or child-protection framework. The preschool page shows routine health checks and a family-inclusive approach as part of student care, but no dedicated safeguarding policy is described in detail. The IB framework and school mission emphasize global citizenship and intercultural understanding, which support safe, respectful learning communities, though explicit safeguarding policies are not listed on the site. The campus environment mentions accommodations such as homestay as an optional living arrangement for some students, which implies consideration of student safety and well-being in extended arrangements. OIS does, however, publish regular announcements and information for families through open campuses and newsletters, indicating ongoing communications with guardians about school life and safety-related matters. For safeguarding specifics, publicly available information is not detailed on the site.

Admissions process

1. Observe/Trial: Families are encouraged to observe a class or participate in a trial enrollment to gauge how well Okinawa International School's IB DP or International Liberal Arts (ILA) tracks fit their child's learning needs. You can arrange this through the Open Campus or Information Session offerings, which provide a window into daily class life and teaching approaches. The Nanjo Campus is the location for many on-site experiences, and you'll have opportunities to meet teachers and current students during these events. This step helps you assess fit before beginning the formal application.

2. Read examination guideline and prepare application documents: Review the examination guidelines for both the IB Course (IBDP) and ILA Course. The guidelines are provided as attachments and outline what will be tested and how to prepare. Prepare the required documents, including the Application for admission, the Examination Voucher, the Student Reference Form, and a Statement of Purpose. Having these documents ready in advance helps ensure the application proceeds smoothly.

3. Submit application documents and Payment of Examination Fees: Submit the completed application documents through the designated channels and pay the examination fees as part of the submission. The process requires you to attach or upload the Application for admission, the Student Reference Form, and the Statement of Purpose, among other items. A payment of the examination fees is required at this stage to process the application.

4. Examination: The school conducts examinations as part of the admissions process. There are separate examination guidelines for IB and ILA tracks to help families prepare. Examinations assess readiness for the chosen program and align with the corresponding curriculum track.

5. Notifications of the test result: After the examinations, test results and admissions decisions are communicated to applicants. This notification indicates whether the student has gained admission or if further steps are required. You'll typically receive a formal decision following the assessment period.

6. Enrollment procedure: For students who are offered admission, enrollment procedures must be completed to finalize enrollment. This includes completing enrollment forms and submitting any required documentation, as directed by the admissions team. Upon completion, the student is officially enrolled and can begin the next steps toward start date and orientation.

Scholarship-related guidance within admissions: There are separate examination guidelines for scholarship students, reflecting additional considerations during the admissions process.

Fees related to admissions (at a glance): See the Tuition and Fees section for the current published amounts and what they cover, including enrollment-related fees and the costs tied to curriculum options.

Open Campus / Information Session availability and details are published separately and can be used as part of Step 1 to observe or trial the school experience.

Scholarships: A High School Tuition Support Fund is available and may be applied. The fund can provide up to 396,000 yen, depending on the guardians' annual income. This financial aid is described as applicable to High School tuition, and its applicability is noted as of the 2021 fiscal year. No other scholarships are listed in the published tuition and fees information.

Waitlist/Pool: There is no publicly disclosed waitlist or pool process described in the school's admissions materials. The Admissions procedure is listed as a six-step flow from Observe/Trial to Enrollment, with no reference to a waiting list or waitpool. Families should plan according to the posted timeline and may contact the admissions team for any clarifications on seat availability.