Department of Defense Education Activity

The Curriculum used in all DoDDs Okinawa schools is standardized and determined by DoDEA. To learn more about the specific programs available for your students please visit each school website's Curriculum Courses and Curriculum Programs sections.

Teacher helping student

District Educators

The Okinawa District Office employs Information Systems Specialists that work with the schools and the Area ISSs to ensure DoDDS Okinawa school's curricular programs are running effieciently and receive the support they need. These ISS support positions are standardized by DoDEA:

  • Education Research Analyst
  • Education Technology
  • English Language Arts
  • English
  • Math
  • Science
  • School Improvement/Assessment
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Student Information Systems



Student
Foreign Language Classes Offered in Okinawa
Elementary: FLES and Japanese Immersion Program
Middle: Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish
High: Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish

Career & Technical Education Courses

1,958 students enrolled in 36 different CTE classes
Industry certifications made available to students:

  • Microsoft
  • Cisco Networking
  • A++ (Computer Services and Support)

Advanced Placement in DoDDS Okinawa
  • 17 different AP courses offered
    36% of 11 th and 12 th grade students enrolled in at least one AP course
    Class of 2010 - 29% of graduates scored 3 or higher on AP exams (National Average 15%)


Sure Start & Preschool Programs

Sure Start is a preschool program based on the successful Head Start program and is designed to serve those children who may need additional experiences before entering Kindergarten.

Eligibility
All Sure Start students must be command sponsored and must have four years old with a birth date on or before September 1. E-4/GS-4/NAF2/NSPS1 and below have first priority for enrollment in Sure Start.

Considerations for enrollment may include one or more the following criteria:
  • Family Income
  • Child of Low Birth Weight
  • Child is in a family headed by a single parent
  • Child has three or more siblings close in age
  • Child has an older sibling with a severe disability
  • Child has a parent on remote assignment for 3 or more months
  • Child has a parent who has not graduated from high school
  • Parent’s primary language is not English

Sure Start Application

DoDEA Sure Start


Special Education in Okinawa

Special Education Programs and/or Services Request
If you think your child needs the assistance of our Special Needs Programs or Services please feel out the DoDEA Special Needs Questionnaire and turn it into your school's principal.

District Liaison
The District Special Education Liaison assists in continuous compliance of special education monitoring standards, act as a liaison to schools in following the Special Education Procedural Guide, coordinates and provides trainings in subjects pertaining to special education and service delivery, acts as a liaison between DoDEA and outside agencies, i.e. EDIS, EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program), organizes Extended School Year programs, and participates in Monitoring compliance teams.

Special Needs Student

SPED in our Okinawa Schools

  • Preschool for Children with Disabilities (PSCD):
    BHPS, KES, ZES, BES, and SHES. 

  • Programs for students with Moderate/Severe:
    BHPS, LMS, and KDHS. 

All schools offer a continuum of special education services.  A half time Hearing Impaired specialist works across the district and is housed at BHPS. A half time Vision Impaired specialist works across the district and is housed at KMS. There is an Assistive Technology Lending Library currently housed at ECK but it will be moving to KMS next year. Additionally each school has LI, SLP, and Assessment services available.

Assistive Technology Info and Request Process
Please contact your school's principal to fill out an Area Support request. The Principal will then contact the DoDEA Pacific Area AT Consultants and file the request on your behalf.

EDIS

EDIS (Education & Developmental Intervention Services) provides evaluation and support via developmental pediatrics, social work, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Schools request services using a Form N through the special education process and if the providers determine educational impact they will determine the extent of  additional support.