DoDEA Pacific announces secondary school reconfiguration at MCAS Iwakuni

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific Region has announced a strategic reconfiguration of its secondary schools at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni.

Beginning in School Year 2026–2027, Iwakuni Middle School and M.C. Perry High School will merge to form M.C. Perry Middle/High School, serving students in grades 6 through 12. The new school will be housed in the current M.C. Perry High School building and is projected to serve approximately 450 students.

“Over the past few years, we’ve been closely monitoring student enrollment trends at MCAS Iwakuni,” said Dr. Jacqueline Ferguson, DoDEA Pacific East District Superintendent. “While we had anticipated growth, the numbers have remained steady.”

The 6–12 school model is already successfully implemented at other DoDEA Pacific East District locations, including CFA Sasebo and Camp Zama. The reconfiguration is designed to enhance educational opportunities and streamline operations while maintaining a strong sense of community.

“This decision reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality education while making the most of our resources,” Dr. Ferguson explained. “By combining our secondary teams, we’ll be able to offer a broader range of electives, more after-school activities, and stronger instructional alignment across grade levels.”

As part of the transition, the current Iwakuni Middle School building will be returned to MCAS Iwakuni by the end of June 2026.

DoDEA leadership is committed to engaging families throughout the planning process. Following Winter Break, school administrators will host Q&A sessions and offer voluntary work group opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders on shaping the future of M.C. Perry Middle/High School.