DoDEA Pacific South announces opening of Bob Hope Elementary, closure of Stearley Heights Elementary

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific South District will open a brand-new, 21st century elementary school on Kadena Air Base for the 2021-22 school year.

Bob Hope Elementary will be outfitted with new furniture, new technology, a new playground, and a new performance area in the commons. The school will also need a new mascot and school colors, which its first class of students will be asked to select.

“With the opening of a new school also comes a new attendance zone for that school and adjustments to other school attendance zones,” said Pacific South District Superintendent Mr. Jim Journey. “Throughout the process of assigning an attendance zone for Bob Hope Elementary, our focus has been on keeping communities together. We know how important it is for students to attend school with their neighbors, and we also understand the important roles our schools play to the communities they serve.”

In order to ensure all schools are balanced in population and receive equitable resources, students residing at Stillwell Park will be reassigned to Kadena Elementary. The new Bob Hope Elementary attendance zone will include Yomitan, Kadena Town, areas of North Terrace east of Fairchild Ave., and Sebille Manor, as well as absorb most of Stearley Heights’ current attendance zone when it closes its doors at the end of this school year.

“Stearley Heights Elementary has served its students well over the years,” Journey said. “Its legacy will live on in each and every one of the students and staff members who have walked through its doors. We are in the process of planning a meaningful opportunity for the Stearley Heights school community to say ‘sayonara’ at the close of this school year.”

A ribbon cutting will be scheduled to celebrate the opening of Bob Hope Elementary.