Compare International Schools in Okinawa, Japan

OCSI is located at 1835 Zakimi, Yomitan, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa 904-0301, Japan. The campus sits on the coast with an ocean view overlooking the East China Sea. It is located in Yomitan on central Okinawa Island. The address is publicly listed for campus visits and tours.

OCSI provides a K–12 program. The school is organized into Elementary (K–5), Middle School (6–8), and High School (9–12).

OCSI is a private, co-educational day school.

OCSI serves around 583 students in the K–12 program. The school notes an international focus with students from across the globe; exact nationality numbers and local/international ratios are not publicly published.

OCSI offers counseling services (personal matters and college/career). The non-discrimination policy includes disability. A dedicated Special Educational Needs program is not publicly described.

OCSI does not have a formal country affiliation; it serves families from Japan and overseas and uses an American-based English curriculum.

OCSI is a Christian school with a mission to equip students to walk with Jesus and impact the world for Him, and it presents a Christian Statement of Faith; it is affiliated with the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association.

The academic year has 180 instructional days and is divided into two semesters (August–January and January–June). Middle School and High School use a modified block schedule.

OCSI offers a bus service with several routes across central and southern Okinawa. Bus route details and seat availability are managed via the Veracross portal; routes and stop times are not published publicly.

OCSI enforces a dress code. Clothing should be modest and cover the shoulders to mid-thigh.

OCSI provides an on-site lunch service prepared by Caesar's Kitchen. Menu options are published monthly (e.g., January 2026 and February 2026), and enrollment or cancellations are handled through the Veracross parent portal. The service includes opportunities for special items, such as a birthday classroom service, and dietary requests can be addressed with Caesar's Kitchen.

OCSI is governed by a Board of Directors using a policy governance model. The board sets the mission and vision, and the Leadership Team implements it. The school is incorporated in Japan as an educational institution (Gakkou Houjin) under Japanese law.

OCSI delivers a K–12 American-style curriculum taught in English that is Biblically based and Bible-integrated across all subjects. In Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5), the program combines Bible instruction with core academics and specialist offerings in art, computer applications, Japanese, music, physical education, and library skills, with regular chapel and hands-on activities. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), students study Bible and core subjects while exploring electives such as art, digital tools, Japanese, music, and woodshop. In High School (Grades 9–12), the program is college-preparatory, featuring AP courses and honors options (notably English and math), with core classes in English, Social Studies, Science, Math, and Bible, plus electives in PE, Japanese, Digital Tools, Music, Art, and Woodshop; a 1:1 Chromebook program supports learning. The academic year comprises 180 instructional days split into two semesters, with Middle and High School operating on a modified block schedule.

OCSI's School Counseling Team supports all students' academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development by providing guidance, college and career counseling, and pastoral support. Counselors meet individually with students, lead developmentally appropriate lessons in classrooms and small groups, and partner with families and staff to help every student thrive in mind, body, and spirit. Counseling is rooted in biblical faith and community and aligns with OCSI's mission and values. Counseling programs are organized by grade level with focus areas including executive functioning, peer relationships, transition support, personal resilience, and collaborative planning with educators and parents. The aim is to help students discover their God-given identity and purpose and to guide them toward excellence in character, informed decision-making, and compassionate service.

OCSI does not provide IEPs or 504 plans and does not have Special Education teachers who can work one-on-one with students. Acceptance of students with ADD/ADHD depends on whether the school can provide accommodations, with examples including seating arrangements or extra time on assignments. The school is not described as a specialist SEN institution and does not list a broader range of SEN categories it supports. Publicly described SEN provisions are limited to the accommodations noted above, and more intensive supports would not be available within the school.

OCSI classes are taught in English, using an American-style curriculum. ESL/Literacy support is available for English learners. If a student is identified as needing ESL support, a literacy/ESL fee may apply starting the next school year. Identification and delivery of EAL services are discussed in admissions-related resources. This indicates that EAL support exists within the school's student services framework.

OCSI supports student mental wellbeing through the School Counseling program, which addresses personal, social, academic, and spiritual growth. The counseling team works with students individually, in groups, and in classrooms, and collaborates with families and staff to foster well-being and resilience. The program is framed by biblical values and the school's mission to Excel, Grow, and Serve, emphasizing belonging, character, and healthy decision-making. Focus areas by grade level include executive functioning, peer relationships, transitions, and personal resilience.

OCSI maintains a Child Safeguarding Policy & Procedures (Public) and related documents, including a Student Code of Conduct, a Computer and Technology Acceptable Usage Policy, and a Staff Code of Conduct. The school is committed to making the environment a safe place for children to learn. These policies detail safeguarding measures, expected behaviors, and reporting procedures to protect students. The Student Code of Conduct and related policies form the core safeguarding framework for the school.

1. Admissions Process
1. Start with the online application and inquiry. Begin by creating an admissions account and submitting the online application form. An inquiry is included in the process, and you'll find that an application fee is required at the time of submission. The school reviews the submission to determine eligibility for an interview and assessment, and you'll be informed of the next steps if eligible. Important dates for the 2026–2027 cycle include two seasons: Season 1 with a January 31, 2026 deadline for February interviews (results by March 10), and Season 2 with a April 30, 2026 deadline for May interviews (results by June 10). If space is available, enrollment can begin in April or August.

2. Prepare and submit required documents. All applicants must provide the standard set of materials, including the completed application form, a record release form, a copy of the child's passport page, a recent photo, and several years of school records as applicable. Grade 7–12 applicants should also supply prior school records and current year progress reports; behavior/discipline records may be required. After acceptance, additional documents such as immunization records and a physical exam are requested. This documentation is reviewed in the admissions process to determine qualification for the next step.

3. Complete the document verification and schedule an interview/assessment. Once the completed packet is received, it is reviewed by the divisional principal to determine eligibility for an interview and testing. If eligible, families may be contacted to schedule an interview and assessment; note that interview/testing may not be granted for all applicants due to factors like language proficiency and space.

4. Receive admissions results by email and follow enrollment instructions. Admissions decisions are communicated by email and may be categorized as acceptance, denial, or waitlist. If accepted, families follow the instructions in the enrollment email to confirm enrollment and make the required payments. The process emphasizes multiple factors beyond test results, such as class size, English proficiency, and overall fit.

5. Begin enrollment and complete any remaining steps. Upon acceptance, you will complete enrollment by paying the specified fees and submitting any remaining documents requested by the admissions team. If you are enrolling in Season 2 or in mid-year, space availability may apply, and there are specific deadlines for enrollment depending on the season.

2. Waitlist/Pool
- The school uses a waitlist when spaces are not available. Admission results can indicate a waitlist status, and families may be placed on the waiting list while spaces become available. There is no guaranteed space for waitlisted applicants. In practice, spaces often open up later in the year (for example, late June/July), but availability is not guaranteed and varies by grade and capacity. Families on the waitlist are typically informed by email as spaces become available.

3. Scholarships
- OCSI offers several financial-aid-oriented funds to support access to education. The OCSI Fund for the Future includes a Tuition Assistance Fund to help eligible families, funded through donations and school fundraising. There is also a College Scholarship Fund to assist qualifying students with college costs, and a University Scholarship Award as part of donor-supported programs. The school notes that gifts and funds may be tax-deductible in Japan and the USA depending on the donor program.

Notes and sources used in this overview: The admissions process is documented in Apply to OCSI and the Admissions Guidelines, including timelines, required documents, and the sequence of steps from application through enrollment. Required documents detail what all applicants must submit and what follows after acceptance. Tuition & Fees are published with the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 data showing one-time and ongoing costs, with notes about payment plans and discounts for certain families. Information about waitlists and admissions results is included in the admissions FAQs and the specific waitlist article. Details about scholarships and financial-assistance funds are found in the donor and support pages on OCSI's site.

Scholarships and financial aid: OCSI maintains a Tuition Assistance Fund to help ensure access for qualifying students and a College Scholarship Fund to assist with college costs. There is also a University Scholarship Award as part of donor-funded programs. These funds are supported by donations and fundraising and are described in the school's donor materials.

Waitlist/Pool information: The school does not guarantee a space for waitlisted applicants; admission results may designate a waitlist, and spaces often become available later in the season or in late spring/summer, but nothing is guaranteed. Families on the waitlist are typically notified by email as spaces open up. To the extent possible, the school communicates about the likelihood of openings, but there is no fixed timeline for when a space will become available.