Ryukyu MS History
Opened: 2008
OPEN
Ryukyu Middle School (RMS) is located on Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan. The middle school was opened in the fall of 2007 with 670 students in grades six through eight. The first principal was Paul Currier, and the assistant principal was Rodney Peterson.
The school colors are blue and white, and the mascot is the Habu, an Okinawan snake. The guiding principle for the school is “We walk HONORABLY. ACHIEVE greatness. BELIEVE in our abilities, and UNDERSTAND that we are stronger together!” The school is proud of a diverse population that serves children of the Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, and federal civilians.
From the onset, the school incorporated middle school concepts including seminar, exploratory courses, and a wide range of extracurricular activities for students. The arts were represented though chorus, band, drama, and art. Students participated in a diverse selection of clubs including dive club, guitar, sports clubs, and multicultural events. From the opening of the school, there was a garden club sponsored by the school registrar, Mr. Isa. When he retired the students named the garden in his honor.
Field trips to base facilities and to local host nation locations enhance the school curriculum. The academic program includes an AVID—Advancement Via Individual Determination—program, language instruction in Japanese and Spanish, and several technology courses.
Students are involved in several local and regional events such as Math Counts, Red Ribbon Week, Read Across America, and the Geography Bee. Local walk and run events like the Mustache March 5k and Jingle Bell Run are held annually. Clubs such as martial arts, Zen art, yoga, and the Sanshin (a host nation instrument) allow students to learn about the local culture. Students create several media projects including the yearbook; a literary magazine, SUN; and video productions for the morning announcements.
Ms. Holly Gouldman, the school nurse, was recognized as the Nurse of the Year by the Overseas Schools Health Nurse Association during the 2011-12 school year.
Ms. Rhonda Spruiell was the principal for the 2012-13 school year, and her assistants included William Bragg, Al Barney, Gwen Davis, and Lee Ann Mik. Ms. Mik was promoted to principal for the 2018-19 school year. Her assistant was Veronica Finney. For the 2021-22 school year the principal was Mr. Maxey with Ms. Veronica Finney as the assistant. Ms. Finney became the principal for the 2022-23 school year and Mr. Dyer, a former math teacher at the school, became the assistant principal.
The school’s enrollment had dropped to less than 600 by the fourth year and was under 500 by the 2017-18 school year. For the 2023-24 school year, RMS is comprised of approximately 492 middle-school students (grades 6–8) and over thirty-five teachers and educational aids representing a wide variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Information from school yearbooks and internet resources