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Fri05182012

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OCSI School Profile

Okinawa Christian School International

“Train up a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6

1835 Zakimi, Yomitan-son, Okinawa 904-0301 JAPAN

Tel. 098-958-3000 Fax 098-958-6279

http://www.ocsi.org

School Profile

FOR 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR (As of September 2011)

General Overview

Founded in 1957, Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI) provides the most comprehensive educational

support base for the international community living in Okinawa, Japan. The school operates from its campus in the village of Yomitan overlooking the East China Sea. Situated in a suburban setting, the school is about fourteen miles (23 kilometers) north of Naha, Okinawa's capital city.

Purpose

OCSI is dedicated to serving the Lord through the vehicle of education. The Lord has allowed this school the unique opportunity to provide a comprehensive pre-kindergarten through 12th grade educational curriculum in the English language for the international community of Okinawa. It is our responsibility to provide the best possible education for each child and to share God’s plan of love, purpose, and eternal relationship with Him.

Educational Overview

OCSI is committed to excellence in providing an educational program firmly established in Biblical truth. The school uses an American-based, Biblically-integrated curriculum. In addition to classes in English, mathematics, social studies and science we also offer courses in art, computer, music, Japanese, and physical education.

There are three divisions: elementary school (Pre K - Grade 5), middle school (Grades 6-8), and high school (Grades 9-12). OCSI also offers English language support for ESL students.

The curriculum prepares students for post-secondary education or employment, while reflecting an international perspective. The teaching style, curriculum, and school calendar are compatible with the American educational system. Instruction in a cross-cultural environment encourages bilingualism; but English is the language of instruction.

Accreditation

OCSI is the only accredited private international Christian school on Okinawa. OCSI is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Both of these agencies are located in the United States and are internationally recognized to certify schools as trustworthy educational institutions. ACSI focuses on maintaining high standards for Christian schools in the U.S. and all over the world, while WASC accredits both private and public schools and universities in the western U.S. and the Pacific region. OCSI first gained WASC accreditation in 1981, followed by ACSI accreditation in 1991. Accreditation from a recognized accrediting body (such as WASC or ACSI) means that school records and transcripts are accepted by other educational institutions worldwide. Graduation from an accredited school is important for students seeking to advance to college after graduation. In Japan, the Ministry of Education recognizes OCSI as one of 20 accredited international schools, meaning that OCSI graduates are also eligible to sit for entrance exams for Japanese universities.

Ministry Opportunities

Since 1957, the school has been demonstrating unconditional love, winning the right to be heard, and responding to

felt needs in its ministry to American and Asian students. The children of American missionaries in Japan need quality education. Some parents of American military personnel on Okinawa desire their children to have a Christ-centered education. Asian students also highly prize an English language education. OCSI is a mission field to children from many different countries of Asia, Europe, and the Americas. OCSI also offers extra-curricular programs including interscholastic athletics and after-school programs. After-school care is provided for elementary age students.

Student Body

OCSI has a student body representing eleven countries, including Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, England, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada and USA.

Approximately 5% of the student body are children of missionaries, but most of the remaining student body come from non-Christian homes. More then half of the students have made personal commitments to Christ.

Many of our students are of Asian heritage and use Japanese as their primary language at home.

Curriculum

OCSI’s curriculum is primarily American and all classes are taught in English. The school year is based on the American system. Approximately 3/4 of our graduates attend colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. The foreign language offered at OCSI is Japanese.

High school grades are based on a 4.00 scale. The grading scale 100-93% is an A (4 pts.), 92-84% is a B (3 pts.), 83-75% is a C (2 pts.), 74-65 is a D (1 pt.), and below 65 is an F (0 pts.).

In order to graduate from OCSI a student must successfully complete 20.5 units of academic credits plus two semesters of Bible for each year completed at OCSI. The 20.5 credits must include: 4 units of English, 3 units of Social Studies (including one unit of US History, .5 unit of Government and .5 unit of World View), 2 units of Science, 3 units of Mathematics, 1.5 units of Physical Education, .5 unit of Health, and 6.5 units of electives. OCSI students may earn up to 29.5 credits from our regular school program.

Personnel

OCSI teachers are all professionally trained, degreed, and are required to maintain ACSI certification standards. Each faculty and staff member has been prayerfully chosen to work in partnership with parents to love, nurture, and teach the children. A team of 38 faculty and 33 staff plus volunteers work together to provide the human resources to fulfill the mission of the school. In addition, OCSI is frequently asked to partner with both local and worldwide colleges and universities to train student teachers for educational fields.

Registration and Operation

Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI) is owned and operated by the Gakko Hojin Okinawa Christian Schools (GHOCS). Gakko Hojin, a Japanese phrase, refers to the incorporation status of a non-profit school corporation. This incorporation status was granted by the Okinawa Prefecture in March 2010. OCSI is recognized as a Kakushu Gakko (specialty school) by the Okinawa Prefecture, the status granted to accredited international schools in Japan. Put simply, GHOCS is the umbrella under which OCSI is governed and operated. The GHOCS is governed by a Board of Directors and Council made up of school stakeholders (parents, teachers and alumni) and local ministers, pastors, and missionaries who subscribe to the GHOCS Statement of Faith as found in the Council By-laws. The Board of Directors is elected from among the Council membership and is responsible for setting OCSI’s policies, determining tuition and fees, and hiring the school administration and faculty. The Council is tasked with approving OCSI’s organizational plan and budget each year. The Board of Directors and the Council work in concert, therefore, to ensure that Christian principles are applied to the management and leadership of OCSI.

Denominational Affiliation

OCSI has no denominational affiliation. Each staff member adheres to a Statement of Faith. Some staff members are affiliated with denominational mission boards, all are committed to Christ as their personal Savior, and are active in the churches on Okinawa.

School Plant

The physical plant includes 40 classrooms, two libraries, two computer labs, and gymnasium. A teacher dormitory is located on campus for direct-hire missionaries from abroad.

Statistics: School Year 2011-2012

Enrollment Kindergarten 52

Elementary School (1-5) 126

Middle School (6-8) 94

Bridge 5

High School (9-12) 107

Total: 384

Teacher-Student Ratio 1:10

Citizenship Japan 35%

Dual Citizenship 35%

USA 20%

Korea 4%