Schools and housing

[Gita Risa]

We got orders to Oki, and after reading everything I could, I still have questions about basic things.

Main thing is, we don't know exactly which base he is going to be working, but regardless of that, the housing office can place us to any housing area within 60 minute drive (duh, commuting, stupid old fashioned thinking :cursing:).

The actual issue is the kids school. If we don't know where we end up living, and where he works, do the kids have to change schools when we finally get base housing (that is if we don't want to continue off base), since they have to start the school way before we are assigned to a house?

:scratchchin:

[socalheart]

Main thing is, we don't know exactly which base he is going to be working, but regardless of that, the housing office can place us to any housing area within 60 minute drive (duh, commuting, stupid old fashioned thinking :cursing:).
Until they perfect transporter technology, commuting is all we have. :( heh. Very little is more than an hour commute from anywhere in regards to the bases. If he's stationed at a northern base, you could be living on McTureous or Courtney. You can also opt to live off base nearer his work.

The actual issue is the kids school. If we don't know where we end up living, and where he works, do the kids have to change schools when we finally get base housing (that is if we don't want to continue off base), since they have to start the school way before we are assigned to a house?
If your children are high school, Marine and Navy kids tend to go to Kubasaki; Air Force and Army kids tend to go to Kadena. There are elementary schools at each base with family housing.

Unfortunately for a planner type person, there are a few things that won't be known until you get here. Hopefully, you have a sponsor who knows more than average.

[Crazysix]

We got orders to Oki, and after reading everything I could, I still have questions about basic things.

Main thing is, we don't know exactly which base he is going to be working, but regardless of that, the housing office can place us to any housing area within 60 minute drive (duh, commuting, stupid old fashioned thinking :cursing:).

The actual issue is the kids school. If we don't know where we end up living, and where he works, do the kids have to change schools when we finally get base housing (that is if we don't want to continue off base), since they have to start the school way before we are assigned to a house?

:scratchchin:http://totalokinawa.com/directory/agency.php

[OtisPMerriweather]

Maybe I can help you out. What UNIT is he going to be assigned to? From there, I can tell you which base he will be working on, and what your schooling housing options are.

FYI, the 60 minute rule means pretty much anywhere in Okinawa, because there every base is within 60 minutes of all on-base housing.

[Alana]

Unfortunately for a planner type person, there are a few things that won't be known until you get here. Hopefully, you have a sponsor who knows more than average.


as terrible as it sounds, this is the awful truth. there is so much that can change here, my husband was assigned to one unit, and in the week we were traveling from the states here, his assignment changed. we didnt know until our 'new' sponsor whom was a complete surprise to us, picked us up a the airport.

the commute thing though, dont worry much about it, the island isnt that big, the bases are all within about an hour and a half of each other (with the most of them being within about 30-40 min of each other), and the two far north Marine bases dont have housing or schools so your kids wont be there anyway.

[Old Timer]

We got orders to Oki, and after reading everything I could, I still have questions about basic things.

Main thing is, we don't know exactly which base he is going to be working, but regardless of that, the housing office can place us to any housing area within 60 minute drive (duh, commuting, stupid old fashioned thinking :cursing:).

The actual issue is the kids school. If we don't know where we end up living, and where he works, do the kids have to change schools when we finally get base housing (that is if we don't want to continue off base), since they have to start the school way before we are assigned to a house?

:scratchchin:http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/photoplog/images/2333/1_bangHeadAgainstWall.gif
sponsorhttp://www.japanupdate.com/forum/photoplog/images/2333/1_bangHeadAgainstWall.gif
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.........etc

[ryukyuboi]

Mainly for transportation purposes, the schools are zoned. So, attendance at a certain school is based on the zone for your living area. Zone waivers are possible for compelling reasons. However, transportation would be your responsibility if a waiver were granted.

Generally, when a family moves, the kids change schools, because the move actually places the family into a new zone. Of course, if you move, and remain in the same zone, the kids remain in the same school.

[Gita Risa]

Thank you so much for all the responses...got me laughing too! :thumbup1:

Kiddies are in elementary school. That is going to be interesting...older is gifted, younger is advanced...that might set limitations to the right school too.

I have no idea whatsoever of my hb's unit! Does that mean that I actually have to...talk to him now? :ohmy: Hey, I know he is a Marine!

Just found out that our base vet screwed up royally, and we are starting the 180 day quarantine next week instead of December as I went there to take care of it then. I am so angry, and am going to send the invoice of anything related to that to her. :cursing:

I knew the move overseas won't be easy at this point (have done it alone before), but that it starts to have annoying nuances this early, is not a good sign.

The whole commuting idea is terrible. We live very close to base here (1 mile) and the school is right here too. That was our choice. Why on earth would anyone volunteeringly spend any time in a traffic, and the idea of someone else, like housing office forcing people to commute... There are houses closer too, right? So maybe we end up living outside...ty for the link! :thumbup: I know I talk a lot about this, but it is very hot topic nowadays, and to find that I am on the nerve with it is enlightening. And to notice how little people actually think about things is incredible.

I wonder if there are any positions open in the housing office, it needs some fresh air in there...after a moment of thinking, maybe it is better that I don't go there, I would end up hitting my head to the brick wall trying to make some old fashioned bun head to understand anything else than what was important 50 years ago.

Great emoticons here! :p

[OtisPMerriweather]

Well to simplify matters for you some, this isn't the States. Your choices for elementary schools are limited to three- Betchel Elementary, for the north camps, Killin Elementary for the central camps, and Kinser Elementary for the southern camps. For wherever you live, there will pretty much be only one practical choice. That is, of course, unless your kids can speak Japanese.

I know there's a elementary school on the Air force base, Kadena, but your kids won't rate to go there unless you are one of the lucky 2 percent of all Marines on Okinawa stationed on Kadena and you live on Kadena- very rare.

There's some Christian/religious private schools around too I think, but since they are not held to any kind of standard in terms of curriculum and funding like DODDS schools are, I wouldn't suggest that option.

[Gita Risa]

Ah, that does make it easier! Thank you!

Hmm. Here in states christian schools often use Abeka curriculum. We are quite excited about DoDD school, but I'm sure we find out about it once we are there...

Kind of exciting new things awaits us. Luckily there are experienced people already to give some tips to us new residents in places like this forum. Can't wait to get a sponsor! :grin1:

[socalheart]

I can't speak for the other private schools on the island, but OCSI (http://www.ocsi.org/) is a decent private Christian school here. I graduated from there and went on to graduate from a university in California. DK also graduated there and well... ahem. A friend of mine graduated from there and is a doctor now, another is a globetrotting sound technician who's done shows like Road Rules and other stuff, and another is a flight attendant purser for NWA. All attended college/university and graduated with a degree. They may not have the funding of a DODDS/DODEA school, but they have accredidation all the same.

[OtisPMerriweather]

See...I don't know everything! :D

[socalheart]

See...I don't know everything! :D

That's why you're mein minion and not the other way around. :p