Okinawa Christian School International

Okinawa Christian School International
Type	Public - DoDDS
Established	1957
Location	Yomitan , ; Okinawa , Japan
Campus	Urban
Colors	White, Red, and Black;
Mascot	Crusader

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Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI) is a private Christian school on the island of Okinawa, Japan.

History

OCSI was established in 1957 to provide an English-language K-12 education for the children of American missionaries. During the first year, Esther Austin taught a class of 11 children in an unused building at the Far East Broadcasting Network's facility in Chatan. The purpose of the school was broadened to include children of non-Christian and non-church-affiliated families in the first few years. The school eventually moved into a more permanent facility on present-day Camp Lester (then called Camp Kuwae) consisting of two Quonset huts. OCSI purchased land on "Hacksaw Ridge" in Urasoe City, a site of fierce fighting during the Battle of Okinawa in WWII. By 1965 students moved into a new, larger school facility. Shortly after this expansion OCSI celebrated its first commencement when the graduating class of 1969 received their high school diplomas.

By 1986, OCSI was looking to expand again, and by 1996 a new campus overlooking the East China Sea in Yomitan Village was purchased. OCSI began classes in the new facility in the 1996-1997 school year. OCSI had 368 students (SY 2007-08) served by a faculty of missionary teachers (28) and office staff (15). OCSI has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1981, and by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) since 1992.

OCSI graduates are allowed by the Japan Ministry of Education (MEXT) to sit for Japanese university entrance exams. OCSI teaches in English and provides English as a Second Language (ESL) support for students from homes where the primary language is Japanese.^[1]

Academics

OCSI uses a curriculum based on the American model and informed by the school's Christian philosophy of education. The course sequence and content is very similar to U.S. schools. For secondary students a special term in January (called "M-Term") is offered which provides students the opportunity to take additional classes and serve in missionary experiences. Classes offered for the M-Term include:

Health
Home economics
Art
Drama
Woodshop
Photography

Athletics

OCSI's mascot is the Crusader. The school colors are white, red, and black. OCSI has a full-size gym with a newly remodeled fitness center. Next to the gym is a full-size soccer field.

OCSI competes in the following sports: