Joan K. Mendel Elementary School (formerly known as Yokota East Elementary School) has students in grades PSCD (Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities) to Grade 5 with an enrollment of approximately 550 students. The staff includes over sixty well-trained professionals teaching academics, special education and such specialties as art, music, physical education, ESL (English as a Second Language), Gifted education and Japanese culture. A school nurse, a counselor, a trained school psychologist, and two speech pathologists are also available to attend to student needs. Joan K. Mendel Elementary School has developed a learning environment that rivals and exceeds the standards set by most U.S. schools. To ensure these high standards, the school maintains accreditation with the North Central Association Commission on School Improvement (NCA CASI).

Standardized Test Scores
The standardized Test Scores for Joan K. Mendel ES are available on the DoDEA Website. External Link: http://www.dodea.edu/data/school0.cfm?dodaac=HE6651

Curriculum Guides
Parent Curriculum Guides for elementary schools are available on the DoDEA Website. External Link: http://www.dodea.edu/parents/parentguide.cfm

School Philosophy
Education is a team effort. The students, staff, parents, community, and administration believe the primary purpose of the school is the development of the whole child in a rich educational setting. The development of the whole child includes the physical, intellectual, creative, emotional, and social characteristics that contribute to a productive individual and responsible citizen. We believe that each student is unique and needs to be encouraged to reach his or her full potential. The learning environment must encourage the students, staff, and community to succeed as cooperative partners in the teaching and learning process.

We believe in a team approach whereby students are active learners in a comprehensive curriculum commensurate with the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) established by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). The team facilitates the teaching and learning process cooperatively encouraging a nurturing child-centered learning environment that effectively utilizes available human and material resources to meet its goals. Finally, we believe that the key to each child’s success is encouraging independent thinking and the acquisition of skills essential in the process of learning to learn.