Welcome to Okinawa Christian School International

History 

OCSI was founded in Chatan Town, Okinawa, over 50 years ago in 1957 to serve the educational needs of American missionaries and their children.  Shortly after its founding, however, OCSI began to accept children regardless of their ethnic or religious background. In 1965 the school campus was relocated to the Makiminato area of Urasoe City, and finally, in 1996 OCSI moved once again to its current campus in Yomitan.  OCSI aims to provide an excellent K-12 education to the international community in Okinawa.  Click here to view the current school profile.

Campus 
OCSI is blessed with large 13,000 tsubo (approx. 7 acre) campus overlooking the East China Sea.  The campus features the main building with 39 classrooms, two libraries, and three computer labs.  Additionally, OCSI has a full-size gymnasium, fitness center, and industrial arts workshop, as well as a 3-story apartment building which houses many OCSI teachers.  The campus is located just off Hwy. 6 in Yomitan, and very close to Hwy. 58.  Click here to view campus access information. Also, a short video showing the campus is available here =>（Small 28mb・Large 49mb）

Student Life
OCSI provides an After-School Program (3pm - 6pm) as well as a full athletic program for its students.  The following sports are at OCSI:
Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
Volleyball (Girls) 
Basketball (Boys & Girls)
Soccer (Boys & Girls)

Spiritual Activities
Since OCSI sees its spiritual mission as "Training up a child in the way he should go" (Prov. 22:6) , the 'education of the heart' is taken very seriously.  OCSI students are required to attend chapel once a week, and the Bible is taught openly as a part of the school curriculum.  Spiritual growth among the students is promoted through retreats, camps, and Bible studies of various kinds.

Accreditation 
OCSI gained accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 1981, followed by accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in 1990.  This accreditation is renewed every 6 years through an exacting process which evaluates the curriculum, management, finances, safety, facilities, student management, staff, etc.  Because of OCSI's accreditation with WASC and ACSI, the Ministry of Education in Japan recognizes graduates from OCSI as having obtained a standard 12-year course of education like a student of Japanese public schools.  This recognition paves the way for OCSI graduates to enter Japanese universities if they wish.

Purpose of the Homestay 

All Bridge Students are required to participate in a homestay trip to Orlando, Florida, in order to allow the students to experience American family life and further develop their English-speaking skills.  This homestay is meant to be an extension of the experience on the OCSI campus, meaning students will continue to study and do homework.  Bridge students will gain valuable experience in what leaving their home country for a time of study is all about.

Host Families
Host families for the Bridge Program homestay are provided and approved by Homestay International, an organization with over 10 year's experience in directing homestay programs.  Bridge Programs students will be paired with families who also have young children, providing a great opportunity to experience American family life first-hand.

Orlando, Florida 
Orlando is a beautiful city located in central Florida, a state in the U.S. located on the East Coast.  It is perhaps best known for being the location of the DisneyWorld theme parks, but it is also located close to Cape Canaveral (home of the Kennedy Space Center), and is host to a professional basketball team, the Orlando Magic.

Bridge Program Schedule
The Bridge Program begins each year in April and last 16 months.  Students prepare to enter the OCSI high school by studying all subjects in English, entering as a Sophomore (10th grader) upon completion of the program.

Enrollment

Because the need for one-on-one attention is so high in a program of this type, class size will be strictly limited to 15.

2010 Calendar

Click here to see the full Bridge Program Calendar (Japanese)

Highlights of the Bridge Program:

1. Students are in an immersive English-language environment.
2. Bridge Students learn English not only through classes but through their interactions with other students in regular OCSI high school classes.
3. Students will travel to Orlando, Florida, for a homestay program scheduled to last 3 weeks.  This will give the students ample opportunities to practice English.
4. Bridge students will have a great advantage if they desire to take English-language exams offered to non-native English speakers, such as the STEP or TOEFL tests.

How to Apply:

Applications may be obtained at the OCSI office or downloaded from the OCSI website (applications will be available every year beginning in August).  More details:

1. Please apply at the OCSI office.  Necessary forms include the student application, teacher's recommendation form, and transcripts.  Please don't forget to pay the ¥7,000 application fee.
2. Applicants will be contacted to arrange for an interview and English testing.  An interview & testing fee of ¥20,000 is required.

Tuition, Fees, and Payment Options:

Please refer to the latest Tuition and Fees Schedule.

The purpose of the Bridge Program is to provide a way for graduates of Japanese Jr. High Schools (9th grade) to "bridge over" to the 'taught-in-English' education offered at OCSI.  Graduates of accredited international schools in Japan have opportunities to study abroad or at home in Japan, making the Bridge Program a great way to prepare for university-level education.

OCSI's educational program is designed to train children up socially, spiritually, academically, and physically.  Students are prepared for university-level study after high school not only by a rigorous academic program, but by the multi-cultural environment and English-speaking environment they are immersed in at OCSI.  For over 50 years OCSI graduates have been going literally all over the world for post-high school study and work.