COMMUNITY
Testimonials
“the safe, engaging, and fun environment for the kids you've nurtured at Ohana”
We will miss Ohana. Our son usually wakes me up on Saturdays asking if we have school (he's slowly understanding what weekdays/weekends are), and it used to be "Yay the weekend!" but last week it was "Noo I want to go to Ohana!". He's also been "requesting" we pick him up later so he can stay with his Ohana friends after 2pm.
I think that speaks volumes to the safe, engaging, and fun environment for the kids you've nurtured at Ohana, so I just wanted to say a big thank you to all the teachers for all that you do for the kids:)
- Shin (2024 October)
“never found a school/community like Ohana”
We really appreciate our luck to be a part of the beautiful Ohana community. We have experienced a few schools but never found a school/community like Ohana, and I believe it is because of you, Shelley.
Thank you very much for being a great teacher not only for our children, but also for us parents. I have learned and been inspired by you on so many occasions.
Your passion and love towards casual but important basic daily life have been delivered to our family and became a living life lesson to our children.
Thank you for being Ohana!
- Rina Shinohara (JUNE 2024)
“my daughter had a wonderful time”
I am very glad at Flowers. Thank you to all the teachers for their help and care for her. I wish you all the best and success in the future.
- Anonymous (JUNE 2024)
“I loved this loving and gentle school”
Thank you so much for your love and support to all of us. I loved this loving and gentle school for Norbi and I wish I would have known Ohana for Emi too. i appreciate you helping us to getting in to the school.
It must be a hard work to maintain such a wonderful school but please keep it up. We would love to come say hi.
Please take care and good luck
With love
- Miho (May 2024)
“We are very happy with the progress she has made and we would gladly recommend Ohana to any parents”
Kinu and myself really can’t thank you and your team enough for the hard work you have put into Ayaka’s development over the past 18 months. Ayaka has developed and we have noticed a lot of positive changes in her during her time at Ohana. We are very happy with the progress she has made and we would gladly recommend Ohana to any parents we talk to. 18 months ago Ayaka started at Ohana and it does seem like ages ago. We are very grateful that you opened the doors to us and cared for Ayaka in the way you did. She is certainly better for it.
Thank you again and if there is anything else you need from us please do not hesitate to contact us.
All the best!
- Travis Taylor (May 2024)
“her experience at Ohana will live in her and help her navigate as she moves on to the next stage of her life”
We are thankful Beatrice grew up with you and made wonderful friends at Ohana. Although she will no longer be there, her experience at Ohana will live in her and help her navigate as she moves on to the next stage of her life.
Starting on Monday, she will attend the public Japanese school. She is very excited to start her new school. I hope she can see you from time to time.
Thank you once again for your love and friendship.
- Nahoko and Ira (May 2024)
“All the courage and bravery that he has, he learned from you and the teachers”
Today is Tuesday and Norbert is going to catch his bus to go to his Japanese kindergarten for his first day there.
I know that you have given him a lot in Ohana! All the courage and bravery that he has, he learned from you and the teachers and now he will practice and extend this learning, with a smile full of curiosity.
Thank you.
We will always love you!
- Rácz Gergő (May 2024)
“The quality of education she has received is evident in her growth and development.”
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the nurturing environment created at Ohana International School. Our daughter has thrived under the care shown by all her teachers, and we are deeply grateful for the love and attention you, as the head of the school, have shown to each child.
We have always shared with our family and friends about the good education Anna has received at Ohana. The quality of education she has received is evident in her growth and development. For friends interested in international preschools, we have recommended Ohana to them.
- Li and Yaolong (April 2024)
“This is a school where our child felt happy every day and this is the greatest gift for the child's primary education”
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to grow and learn about the world in a very tolerant way. The attention, humanity and close contact both with students and their parents created a very safe environment in which there are no unanswered questions. This is a school where our child felt happy every day and this is the greatest gift for the child's primary education. And finally our child has acquired qualities that are a strong foundation to go on; to learn, to understand others, to help and not to be afraid to make mistakes, because the teachers have been grateful and attentive to all the efforts.
You are part of our family life, we are very grateful for your friendship.
- Augustas, Kristina and Aurimas (February 2024)
“Amazing pre-school we have ever met”
We take this opportunity to express our most profound gratitude for Ohana's hospitality, generosity, kindness, and among others family-like warmth which have consistently been bestowed on our son, Eito.
By virtue of a wide variety of events organized by Ohana to develop the children's self-directive learning approach as well as the solid triangular relationship among the children, the teachers and the parents through up-to-date sharing and exchange through Class Dojo, we have always been able to make the most of the synergy between family and school education, thereby fostering Eito's confidence, independence, and ability of self-expression.
We believe teachers, friends, and the environment in which children spend their very sensitive years will be the foundation of their later lives, and we admire Ohana teachers for their extraordinary well-trained professionalism.
Although our son will move to his next stage this summer, we already miss Ohana.
- Rika & Moto (January 2024)
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the teachers“
Just as the name, suggests, I express my gratitude for the warm and wonderful community of Ohana, much like a "family."
Since the age of 4, we have been fortunate to have Ohana International School taking care of our daughter, and her remarkable growth is truly noteworthy. Initially a reserved personality, she seemed to flourish upon entering this school, expressing herself independently, navigating within the community, asserting herself, and maintaining cooperation.
All of this transformation is thanks to the incredible teachers and community at Ohana. It's genuinely heart-wrenching to part ways as she moves on to Kindergarten this summer.
The invaluable experiences our family gained at Ohana have surpassed our wildest imaginations, constituting an extraordinary time. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the teachers.
- Takada family (January 2024)
“Ohana has given an excellent experience for him and our entire family”
We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all of you for all the teaching, guidance, love and care you have given to our son. He has been a happy boy at Ohana since day 1. Thank you for believing in him and providing such a nurturing environment for him to learn and feel happy in Ohana. We are extremely happy to see him grow intellectually, physically and emotionally day by day. His grandma told us that it is totally a different child now compared to before Ohana, and we can't agree more.
We strongly believe that children learn best when they feel loved and cared for, and Ohana has given an excellent experience for him and our entire family.
- Akane and Noriyuki (January 2024)
“We feel incredibly lucky to be a member of Ohana family”
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for all the support you provided to Reika and us for the past three years.
It’s been a great experience and am sure what she learned/experienced at Ohana will help Reika a lot throughout her life. We are amazed to see how she’s grown up from her 1st day and it wouldn’t have been the same without you.
We feel incredibly lucky to be a member of Ohana family.
- JJ and Satomi (June 2023)
“You will forever be in our hearts”
Wren has had such a wonderful time at Ohana starting off very timid and now full of confidence. The days he spends at Ohana gives him the tools to be so, and we cannot thank you enough for providing the safe and loving space for him the last 18 months.
This will, unfortunately, be the last few weeks of him attending as he will join his sisters school from next term.
You will forever be in our hearts, and we cannot thank you enough for everything that you have done for Wren, as well as for us.
With deepest gratitude,
- Yoshiko and Marc Chapman (May 2023)
“I will never find a school director who cares so much about her children as you do”
You have no idea how much I will miss you. I will never find a school director who cares so much about her children as you do… you’ve really set the bar high for us ❤️
December 2022
“We are grateful for the time Amara spent at Ohana.”
She enjoyed herself and blossomed in that short period of time. She is singing so many songs she learned in class and she loved the big card sent home with all her classmates on it. She loved her teachers, and classmates. We enjoyed our time with you all so much and were very sad to leave. Amara felt so comfortable with her teachers and learned so much in a short period of time. We will miss you all.
~ Amara, Anita and Cedric (October 2021)
“We will never forget you!”
Dear Ohana family,
We want to express our sincere gratitude to all the teachers who have contributed to Augustas growth and curiosity for learning. We value your work so much!
We will never forget you!
~ Deividas, Juste, sofija, dominykas and augustas (July 2021)
“A big thank you to our Superheroes at school”
A big thank you to our Superheroes at school: Fantastic Pauline, fabulous Sayaka and ingenious Kai! Thank you for taking such good care of our kids and teaching them so much
~ rikke (may 2021)
“Petals teachers thank you for your incredible kindness!”
🥰, Words can’t express how thankful I am to have been part of the Ohana community for even just one year. Petals teachers thank you for your incredible kindness!!! "
~ Christina [rhys’s mum] (may 2021)
“Ohana will forever have a fond place in our hearts”
Our daughter had a wonderful three years at Ohana, surrounded by caring teachers and friends from around the world who constantly sparked curiosity and creativity. Many days she would return from school and tell us stories of the new things she had learnt and the exciting things she had done. Ohana will forever have a fond place in our hearts.
~ ari and melanie (may 2021)
“As a parent of two young boys, Ohana international school was a special environment and community for our family to be a part of for almost 3 years”
Now that our family is back in New York, our older son especially, is still talking about all of his teachers and experiences at Ohana. Ohana was the perfect place to spark and foster imaginations and creativity as part of their early childhood education. It became our home away from home and brought so much joy to our lives during the time we spent in Japan. We will always be grateful for the incredible support and dedication of all of the teachers and staff at Ohana. They truly know how to make a difference and create smiles everyday.
~ Ashley and Stephen Johnston (february 2021)
“We really cannot appreciate you more on the support and care you are giving to our child. Thank you.”
We all are very satisfied with the environment here and great teachers at Ohana and very sad to tell this to you because he likes the school, teachers and his friends so much. Kojin will definitely enjoy his days at Ohana, maybe until this summer school!!!
~ KOSUKE and FUMIKA Nohara (february 2021)
"We will miss you and the Ohana community dearly. "
Truly a home away from home. Now back home in Canada, Eva refers to our Tokyo apartment as "my home near Ohana", as a way to differentiate from her home here. Clearly O'hana remains dear to her heart."
~ Leona Bailey (december 2020)
“We appreciate the care that her teachers gave to her, and that she learned new, interesting things while having fun.”
Thank you for welcoming my daughter, Evelyn, to the Flowers class for this summer session. She enjoyed the activities, crafts, and making new friends. We appreciate the care that her teachers gave to her, and that she learned new, interesting things while having fun.
Have a wonderful Fall term.
In appreciation and gratitude,
~ Alana East (JULY 2020)
“Joining the Ohana family for Maile’s introduction to education was absolutely the best choice we could’ve made.”
We are sad to leave however are so grateful for the experiences gained from being part of the Ohana community. We always joke, we need another baby as soon as possible to get back into Ohana!
Ohana is amazing and we are so thankful to have had the opportunity to be part of the community.
We hope to stay in touch!
~ Rumi & Rei (JULY 2020)
"Thank you for everything, for your love, your way of teaching, your creativity and enthusiasm."
Thank you so much for an amazing year!! For Alona it was such a loving place, she grew up so much in so many aspects, while feeling how unique and wonderful she is. Never in my life (and she's a third child) have I had the experience of a kid that happy to go to school every morning; asking for her teachers and friends on weekends and not wanting to leave when it's time to go home :) For me, during this first and not always easy year in Tokyo, coming every day to Ohana, Buds class and especially John - felt like a safe zone, a warm and hugging place. And that was so amazing! Thank you for everything, for your love, your way of teaching, your creativity and enthusiasm. Love you all!!
~ LILA, RAN & ALONA (May 2016)
"I was extremely impressed with the way that the preschool is run; your passion for educating children is so evident the minute you walk through the doors!"
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to visit Ohana yesterday. I was extremely impressed with the way that the preschool is run; your passion for educating children is so evident the minute you walk through the doors! Again, I appreciate you taking the time yesterday to meet with us and to allow us to take a look at your program. It’s so refreshing to visit a preschool where the focus is on social thinking, problem solving, and cooperative learning. It was obvious that all of the personnel, value the children for who they are, recognize their individual talents, strengths, and character, and encourage each of them to reach their potential!
– MARGARET MURRAY (APRIL 2015)
Special Education Teacher in the American System
"It definitely shows the great attention you are giving to children..."
I would like to thank you for having welcomed Laly in Ohana pre-school this year. We can see that she has developed well, especially lately and I believe the time she spent at school helped her a lot. I read the summary you wrote yesterday of her progress. It is so true, so close to how we see Laly. It definitely shows the great attention you are giving to children, steering them to grow up but giving them enough freedom to develop in their own little world ensuring sufficient space for imagination and self-expression whatever this may be.
~ CYRIL SHREITER (June 2016)
"We knew the moment we met Shelley that Ohana was the school for her."
Our daughter started her very first school at Ohana after having visits to other schools. We knew the moment we met Shelley that Ohana was her school. She had such an amazing experience with her wonderful teachers and friends. As parents we also loved being a part of the school community where we always felt very welcomed. We no longer live in Japan but we will never forget the whole experience we had for our daughter. Many many thanks to the teachers, Ohana team and our friends!
~ REINA MATHIESON (SEPTEMBER 2015)
"The more you share with us, the happier you make us."
Thanks a lot for this very nice summary and pictures you send us every day! I didn’t know it came with almost all the information that our little ones do during the day . You can be sure the more you share with us the happier you make us.
~ ANA GARCIA (JUNE 2015)
"Thank you for this amazing party today!"
Dear John, Sayaka and Maki, thank you so much for this amazing party today! We had a fun time! And thank you so much for taking all the effort for this great folder and the year book. This is very special for us! It is great to see how much loving care you put into our children. Thank you for this.
~ Angela Kuntz (JUNE 2015)
"Thanks Shelley, Hisami, and Liezel"
It’s been great to meet you all and thank you so much for the effort and skill you have put in over the last two years to prepare Lanah for her next stage of life. Although she’s only three and a half, I’m sure that she will remember the time at Ohana with a sense of joy and accomplishment. Take care and all the best for the future!
~ Daniel Mathieson (JUNE 2015)
"Our Extraordinary Experience at Ohana"
Shelley, Hisami, Liezel, Maryna and the rest of the wonderful Ohana team, thank you for the wonderful care, knowledge and extraordinary experience you have given Mika for the past year. While we had wanted to continue the split schooling for Mika, we were unfortunately forced to make a difficult choice and send her full time to Japanese school. At least, Mika is able to continue piano lessons with Hisami which she enjoys very much.
~ FRANK MARSILLO (APRIL 2015)
"Switching to Ohana"
Switching our son to Ohana’s Flowers class for pre-k has been a great decision for our family. The warm and nurturing environment, the flexibility of attending three days per week, as well as the structured in-class daily activities is what drew us to Ohana. The teachers and classmates made his transition very easy and he was asking to have playdates with many new friends from class in no time. What has really stood out this past academic year is the teachers’ ability to engage our son in learning so many new topics in such inventive, creative ways. As parents, we love hearing his excitement each day as he shares what he has learned about the solar system, transportation, his community, Japanese culture, just to name a few units covered. Ohana has definitely fostered a love of learning in our child that will last a lifetime. We feel he is adequately prepared to start kindergarten in the Fall and know that he will cherish his preschool memories at Ohana!
~ SUBMITTED ANONYMOUSLY (MARCH 2015)
"Lots of Memories in our Hearts"
Thanks a lot to you and all members of Ohana. Iva enjoyed every day she was able to go to Ohana. She developed a lot but now it’s also time for her to concentrate on german language and her “home” country. We will all remember the nice time we had with you and lot’s of memories in our hearts.
~ Michael-Joerg Ivan (NOVEMBER 2014)
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO OHANA FOR EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE FOR US"
Dear Shelley,
Just wanted to share our wonderful news with you- Kaia got accepted in UWC SEA. We are so happy and relieved, it was very stressful because they accept only 88 children from maybe over a thousand applicants and are very very selective. Thank you very much to all Ohana for everything you've done for us and for offering Kaia a wonderful educational base.
~ Love you all, Fanny, Wouter and Kaia (December 2016)
"Thank you" from the bottom of our hearts"
David and I would like to take the opportunity to give you all a big "thank you" from the bottom of our hearts for the love and care you have so kindly given to Chloe since she first came to Ohana when she was 2.5 years old, and for helping her grow into such a loving, independent and cheerful child she is today! We are very sad too that she is leaving Ohana - but our friendship and fond memories will last a lifetime
~ Love, Mabel, David and Chloe
“Thank you”
Thank you for giving our son such a wonderful education. It has been such a positive experience for him and we’ve been discussing Ohana quite a bit since arriving in Hong Kong. We appreciate the school and community you’ve built in your vision. Ohana is a special place and one that we will remember.
Thank you again.
All the best, anonymous (June 2018)
“Thank you so much for taking good care”
Thank you so much for taking very good care of Taiga and Liona. It is wonderful to feel safe when they are in school and thank you for taking good care of me too, answering all my questions and helping me out.
It has been a real great year in Ohana. We are so happy to be here and are looking forward to seeing you all next year!
karin, liona and taiga (june 2018)
“Peace of mind”
"We were absolutely thrilled to be welcomed into the wonderful community at Ohana. Our daughter came home each day telling us fun stories about her teachers and the adventures that they had in the classroom. She even learned to count in English and Japanese! Most importantly, we had the peace of mind of knowing that we were leaving her in such good hands every day."
- Matthew, Ana Paula & Olivia (June 2018)
“The importance of your work”
Thank you for the wonderful party today. I truly believe that there are no real words to describe the importance of your work. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Family Sella (June 2019)
“We have felt a member of the Ohana family from day one and have so appreciated what a special place Ohana is.”
You and all of the amazing and brilliant teachers will hold a piece of our hearts forever.
We will let you know our last day as soon as possible - hopefully we know in the next few days! And, then the countdown sadly begins: In the meantime, we will soak up every last bit of Ohana joy:)
Alexius and Trevor (September 2019)
SUMMER SCHOOL 2022
Dear Shelley, Maryna and Ohana school team,
I would like to thank you all for arranging an amazing summer school. M had a wonderful summer in Japan! This was the first time that she entered a school system and she enjoyed every bit of it!
Really appreciate all of your hard work! We will leave Japan soon but we hope to see you around in the future. Please take care!
Best wishes.
“We are so happy to meet such wonderful teachers!”
Thank you so much for your great work and effort since Tiger was a baby. We have seen a lot of positive growth these few years.
We appreciate all the guidance and great support! We're so proud to be part of this wonderful Ohana family.
Rie and Jun November 2022