What is the Garden Program?
At Green Roots Okinawa, learning emerges in relationship to the natural world and is guided by student curiosity. Rather than following a rigid timetable, we've designed our sessions to respect seasonal cycles and the unique energy of each day. Students engage in real-world ecological projects, learn about local flora and fauna, and build physical capacity while using real tools.
During each 12-week term, children step into the garden and actively participate in the ecosystem. We learn how to tune into the living world around us through:
- Regenerative Stewardship: Hands-on soil building and ecosystem care.
- Ecological Discovery: Learning about natural systems and cycles through nature study.
- Real-world Projects: Using real tools to engage in meaningful projects that develop physical capacity and practical skills.
- Nature Journaling: Documenting inquiries and seasonal changes through field sketches and reflection.
We view our school as a living system whose mission is to restore and revitalize the soil, the child, and the community. Regeneration is at the heart of everything we do.
Typical Day
A typical day includes:
• Mindfulness •
Short grounding exercises and a mindful walk around the garden, to settle in and greet the space.
• Land Stewardship •
Caring for the land through physical tasks such as weeding, composting, and tending to the garden.
• Hands-on Learning •
Engaging in projects that deepen ecological understanding through real-world application. Students learn about natural cycles, local flora and fauna, and how ecosystems thrive. They use real tools that build their physical capacity and problem-solving skills.
• Nature Journaling •
Developing an intimate relationship with nature through field sketches and written observations.
• Closing Circle •
Gathering together to share reflections and practice gratitude.
Program Details
Age Groups
Explorers (Ages 6-8)
Naturalists (Ages 9-11)
*Age ranges are guidelines; placement is based on social and emotional readiness, determined in collaboration with parents.
Schedule
*Attend one day per week
(this is a drop-off program)
Explorers: Mondays or Thursdays
Naturalists: Tuesdays or Fridays
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Spring 2026 Calendar
Term Dates:
April 7 – July 6
*Holidays: We observe all Japanese National Holidays and Golden Week (4/29-5/6)
**Make-up Week: We provide one make-up session following the end of the term to cover any missed days due to illness or weather (7/9-7/14)
Tuition
Monthly Tuition: ¥20,000
(¥60,000 for the 12-week term)
One-Time Enrollment Fee: ¥10,000
Everything is included: Student insurance, all garden materials, a personal field journal, and a high-quality, low-ratio learning environment.
Sibling Discount: 20% off tuition | 25% off enrollment.
Returning Families: A ¥5,000 materials fee applies to subsequent terms.
Flexible payment options are available. Please reach out to discuss how we can support your family.
Regenerative Framework
The Soil
We work to actively increase the biodiversity and fertility of the land in Okinawa and empower children to step into their role as environmental stewards.
The Child
We protect each child's inherent sense of belonging to the natural world, allowing their innate curiosity and sense of wonder to blossom.
The Community
We believe the individual is only as healthy as the ecosystem they inhabit! We focus on strengthening local bonds so that care and kinship ripple outward.
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."
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Ready to Join?
Space is limited to keep our groups small and intentional. Reach out to reserve your child’s spot for Spring 2026.