Okinawa AMICUS International

AMICUS was designed as the part of surrounding environmental improvement for OIST which was established in 2012.

The memorandum was signed by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, Uruma City Mayor Tsuneo Chinen and president of Obunsha Fumio Akao on July 25, 2008, and the project was officially started. On November, Okinawa Kokusai Gakuen Establishment Preparatory Foundation was officially established. We started the Pre-school in May 2010 and Okinawa AMICUS International Elementary school and Kindergarten opened in April, 2011.

Developing global citizens who can think, learn and act independently in a learning environment where students forge their own paths for the future.

AMICUS provides a rich learning environment that helps develop in our young people a glocal mind-set. It employs a holistic approach to nurture our learners to be creative thinkers (THINK), independent learners (LEARN) and risk takers (ACT).

To become independent, one must develop the ability to think for himself/herself. Every child is a unique, independent being, and each one of them will also have his/her unique set of issues to deal with in his/her life. Though some help may be available, each child still has to solve such issues on his/her own in the end. This is precisely the reason why one must have the ability to think independently. In other words, this ability to think for oneself is the foundation of an independent being, and it is the core of one’s life.

One needs to learn to become independent. Learning gives knowledge, and based on this knowledge, children develop their own worldview. With rich, accurate knowledge, a child’s worldview will likely be broader and more universal. AMICUS will guide children to a significant understanding of people and phenomena. Education at AMICUS aims to equip children with depth and breadth of knowledge, fostering the development of clever, healthy, self-sufficient children.

Cultivating such individuals require the ability to communicate effectively with others. Children need to have companions when developing their communication abilities in order to gain a sense of identity and a truer understanding of self. The AMICUS focus on educating children in English is rooted in the reality that English is a valuable tool for communicating with the people of the world. With a working knowledge of English, children will have the language resources to facilitate enriched contacts with the people and cultures of the world. In the process, children will gain a better understanding of themselves and their own country. Lively, flexible communication will help to develop a unique, creative persona. We anticipate that children will reap the benefits of expanding their communication through English and Japanese, through a greater sense of partnership with people, and with more appreciation and deeper respect for the people of this world. Such ability to communicate will become their strength to take actions.

In understanding and appreciating people’s differences, we strongly affirm a policy of non-discrimination, in terms of ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, and disability. We value the strength in diversity among the people of the world. We understand that by underlining people’s differences, there can be difficulty in equitably assessing some of the world’s most challenging issues. Children need awareness, intellect, and sensitivity to understand and to act on the facts of a matter. Children of diverse backgrounds gathering together to learn at AMICUS in the same space is the embodiment of the essence of globalized education.

A school is a highly socialized entity that is profoundly influenced by society at large. At the same time, a school nourishes and enriches society. A society builds schools, and schools provide the building blocks for a society. AMICUS aims to serve our community and the world by contributing to society through educating children to value their lives as thinkers, lifelong learners, and doers.