Santa Monica International School (SMIS) is an excellent academic institution located right outside of Kadena Air Base’s Gate 1, in the Sunabe neighborhood. Santa Monica International School is well-known for offering a unique educational experience with a strong emphasis on international perspectives and a focus on developing students’ global citizenship. Being an international school, SMIS is home to students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. This multicultural setting encourages students to learn not just about different cultures but also about respect, collaboration, and open-mindedness. For military children who may frequently encounter new people and cultures, this can be a great way to broaden their perspectives and make connections with peers from diverse backgrounds. 

The school’s mission statement is as follows: 

“We are committed to provide high quality early childhood education as well as a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for both preschool and kindergarten students. We are dedicated to provide educational experience that promotes each child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.” 

Santa Monica International School Enrollment

The Santa Monica International School accepts students from 1 year old- kindergarten. SMIS is a highly desired school; therefore, it often has a waitlist. Parents are urged to contact the school administrators well in-advance to set up the campus tour, interview, and begin the application process. Depending on the age group, waitlist may be projected as far as a year out.  

School Hours and Drop off/Pick-up

Santa Monica International School appeals to many dual income families due to its flexible hours. The typical school hours are from 0600-1800; however additional childcare can be provided at an hourly rate after hours and offered even on weekends. Also, SMIS operates year-round which allows parents to not have to worry about enrolling their children in additional summer camps. SMIS offers a “Summer Session” that still follows a structured curriculum but also adds fun activities such as waterplay, field trips, and themed dress up days.  

Drop-off and pick-up are very easy for parents. In the morning, parents drop pull up to the main doors and are greeted by teachers and signed in. The teachers then escort the children to their assigned classrooms. The pre-school and kindergarten students can walk up on their own.  If there are any upcoming events, the teachers will give the notices to the parents at this time. At pick up parents are advised to call the front-office 15-minutes before they arrive on location. Vehicles line-up in the parking garage in two single-filed lines. Teachers, then walk the students out to their respective vehicles with their belongings. 

Class Size and Safety

Santa Monica International School typically has smaller class sizes, which means that teachers can provide more individualized attention. This can be especially important for military families, who may have children with different educational needs or those who need additional support after moving and adjusting to new environments.

On average there is a 2 teacher to 20 student ratio. The younger classes such as the 1-year-olds may be even smaller with a 3:15 ratio. As SMIS Okinawa serves a significant number of military families, there’s a strong understanding of the unique challenges that come with frequent moves, deployments, and being away from extended family. The school community is supportive, and the staff is often experienced in working with military families, making the transition smoother for children who might otherwise struggle with frequent changes.  

In addition, the staff is very responsive. Teachers host two parent-teacher conferences per year. For any inquiries or concerns, parents are directed to call or email the school. The staff will reach out to parents typically within twenty-four hours. All classrooms also are video-surveillance. Behaviorally and/or incidents are immediately addressed with parents and documented.  

Santa Monica International School Extracurricular Activities

Beyond academics, Santa Monica International School emphasizes the holistic of children. The school offers various extracurricular activities in arts, sports, and music, which are crucial for helping children build confidence, creativity, and social skills. For students age four and up there is the opportunity for enrollment in: swim, ballet, hip-hop, and karate classes for additional fees. It is recommended that parents sign their four-year old’s up for the activities as soon as possible due to the limited class sizes.

The extra-curricular classes perform a recital for parents in February to showcase their talent. The administrators record the performance and distribute to the parents so they can fully enjoy performance.

Parents also have the option of signing their children up to receive bento at lunch for an additional fee. The menu is distributed at the beginning of the month and is a diverse blend of cultural cuisines which will enhance their palettes. 

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Overall, Santa Monica International School can be a great choice for military families stationed in Okinawa, as it offers a stable, international education while also giving your children a chance to experience the unique Japanese culture in a supportive environment. Santa Monica International School helps children understand and appreciate the local culture of Japan. The school often incorporates aspects of Okinawan history, traditions, and language into their curriculum. This cultural immersion can be especially valuable for military families who are looking to have their children grow up with an understanding of the host country’s traditions and language, which will enrich their time in Japan.  

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