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Schools in Hawaii: private and public

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 #Honolulu | #Honolulu, #Kauai, #Maui, #Molokai, #Oahu | #Oaxy, #Laws, #News, #Education, #Advice, www.Hawaii.Bio, Cost of Living in Hawaii, What You Need to Know About Hawaii

If you are moving to Hawaii and have children between the ages of five and eighteen, you may be wondering which schooling option is best—public school, private school, or charter school. Read on to learn more about Hawaii’s school system, as well as the best public and private schools on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

How does the public school system work in Hawaii?

The Hawaii public school system was founded by King Kamehameha III in 1840 and is the oldest system west of the Mississippi River. The public school system covers the entire state and all islands, meaning that all 294 schools, serving approximately 174,000 students and 12,700 teachers, are under one superintendent and one Hawaii Board of Education, whose nine voting members are appointed by the governor and consult with the state. Senate.   

Hawaii is the only Local Education Agency (LEA) and State Education Agency (SEA) in the United States; most schools on the mainland US are run by a separate, smaller district, or LEA. To administer this large public school system, Hawaii’s public schools are divided into 15 area areas, each headed by an area superintendent and named as the high schools that students in that area will attend.

Oahu  

  • Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani 
  • Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt 
  • Aiea-Moanalua-Radford 
  • Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua 
  • Campbell-Kapolei Pearl 
  • City-Waipahu 
  • Nanakuli-Waianae 
  • Castle Kahuku 
  • Kailua-Kalaheo

Hawaii Island/Big Island  

  • Hilo-Waiakea 
  • Kau-Keaau-Pahoa 
  • Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena

Maui, Molokai, and Lanai

  • Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui 
  • Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai

Kauai  

  • Kapaa-Kauai-Waimea

Unlike many places on the mainland U.S., funding for public schools in Hawaii does not come directly from property taxes. Instead, the Hawaii State Legislature approves an annual budget, which is signed or vetoed by the governor; this primary source of school funding is primarily financed by state tax revenues and is used for the day-to-day operations of schools. There are also capital funds used for school facilities, as well as some additional funding from the federal government. Funding for each school is calculated on a “per pupil” basis, or based on the number of students attending that school. In fiscal year 2018, Hawaii Public Schools received $15,242 for each student attending that particular public school. This per-pupil funding figure includes state, federal, special fund and trust money.

How does the private school system work in Hawaii?

Private schools have their own unique mission and curriculum and do not have to be accountable to as many state or federal regulations as Hawaii’s public schools. They set their own rules regarding teacher credentials and student admissions, meaning their teachers are typically not union members and they do not have to admit every student like a public school. 

Private schools in Hawaii are diverse. There are private preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools; some private schools in Hawaii serve students from preschool through 12th grade. Hawaii has private boarding, day, parochial/religious, secular, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, International Baccalaureate (IB), Waldorf and many other options.

Although private schools in Hawaii are offered more autonomy in the management of their schools than public schools, they must be licensed and/or accredited. In 2015, the Hawaii legislature passed Act 227, requiring all private schools in Hawaii to be licensed by the Hawaii Council of Private Schools (HCPS) or accredited by a recognized accrediting body such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). which accredits almost all public and private schools in Hawaii. In order for private K-12 schools in Hawaii to be licensed, they must meet certain criteria:  

  • Require students to attend school. 
  • Establish a certain number of school days and/or hours that students are in class with the teacher. 
  • Release official school documents such as transcripts and diplomas. 
  • Make sure their students are enrolled only in their school and not in a home school, public school, or other private school. 
  • Define themselves as a school, and not as an alternative educational program. 

Unlike the public school system, which offers tuition-free education through the use of state and federal taxes and other government funding, private schools in Hawaii often charge a tuition fee that parents must pay. Other funds for running the school usually come in the form of charitable contributions. 

Most private schools in Hawaii, including all those that are members of HAIS, are nonprofit schools, meaning that funds are returned to support the schools and that each school must have a board of trustees that governs the nonprofit organization. However, several private schools in Hawaii are for-profit, meaning that they are run like a business and are intended to make a profit.

What types of private schools are there in Hawaii?

Choosing the best private school will depend on your child’s needs and unique learning styles, so it’s helpful to know what schooling options are available in Hawaii. 

  • Religious/Parochial Schools: Some schools are run by a specific church and are called parochial schools. In Hawaii, some schools are affiliated with Catholic, Protestant, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Jewish, Buddhist, and other religious denominations. Some private schools in Hawaii teach a specific religion, such as non-denominational Christian, but are not directly affiliated with or affiliated to a specific church. Often religious schools accept students from all backgrounds, teach both secular and religious education, and teach religious values ​​and traditions. Religious schools can be found on every major Hawaiian island—Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
  • Waldorf Schools: Developed by Austrian teacher Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf school uses art and movement as a primary mode of teaching and throughout its curriculum. The first Waldorf school opened in Germany in 1919. There are Waldorf schools all over the world, but are there Waldorf schools in Hawaii? Yes, Oahu has the Honolulu Waldorf School, which is located in Kaimuki and serves students in preschool through 8th grade. On Maui, there is the Haleakala Waldorf School, serving students from preschool through 12th grade, and on the Big Island, there is the Malamalama Waldorf School, serving students from preschool through eighth grade.
  • Montessori: Montessori school teaching methods were developed by Italian physician and teacher Maria Montessori and focus on the harmonious relationship between the child, the environment and the teacher. Montessori schools focus not only on academic development, but also social and emotional development, and allow the child to follow their interests at their own pace of learning. Teachers serve as guides. Are there Montessori schools in Hawaii? Yes, there are more than ten Montessori schools in Hawaii on the islands of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Typically these schools are small.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB). Known for their academic rigor, IB schools focus on teaching students to think critically and apply their knowledge to real-world situations throughout their course units. There are more than 5,000 IB schools in more than 150 countries around the world, and Hawaii has three IB schools on the island of Oahu: Le Jardin Academy in Kailua, Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei, and Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu.
  • Other: Many private schools in Hawaii do not follow the above educational programs or are not affiliated with a church or religion. Private schools can create their own unique educational missions and programs that best suit the students and communities they serve. Just as diverse are the children in Hawaii, so are the private schools on the islands.

What about charter schools in Hawaii? 

In 1995, Waialae Elementary became the first charter school in Hawaii, and in 1999, the State of Hawaii passed Act 62, which became the first state charter law. There are currently 38 charter schools. How are charter schools different from traditional public schools? In Hawaii, one of the only differences is that each charter school has a local school board and a unique educational program—either online learning or a Hawaiian immersion curriculum. A charter school in Hawaii can offer a special education program that is appropriate for your child that a traditional public school in Hawaii cannot offer. Although charter schools in Hawaii operate under a special contract with the state’s nine-member Public Charter School Commission, they are ultimately required to be responsible for performance indicators for all public and charter schools in Hawaii under the Hawaii Department of Education and the Hawaii Board of Education. education. Despite differences in educational programs, charter schools in Hawaii are subject to the same accountability structure as traditional public schools in Hawaii. Another difference is that charter schools in Hawaii are funded significantly less than traditional public schools. In fiscal year 2018, charter schools in Hawaii received $7,259 per student. As a result of receiving less funding, some charter schools in Hawaii have less than stellar facilities, such as pop-up tents, or rely on alternative funding, such as donations. Many charter schools range from pre-K through 12th grade, and some specialize in elementary or middle school levels. Applications are often made through a lottery system if all places are filled. To find a charter school in Hawaii, visit the Hawaii Public Charter School Commission directory.  

Where are the best public schools in Hawaii?

Based on interviews with parents and teachers and research conducted by   Honolulu Magazine on pre-COVID-19 public school rankings, below are the best public schools in the Hawaiian Islands. Data from math, reading and science assessments, as well as attendance and student surveys were analyzed to determine where the best public schools in Hawaii are located.

Best Oahu Public Schools

In Manoa, Hawaii’s best elementary schools are located in this safe, family-friendly area. Although there are many private schools near Manoa Valley, the public elementary schools in Manoa have had a reputation for many years as being among the best in the state: Noelani Elementary School and Manoa Elementary School. Manoa is also home to the University Laboratory School, located on the University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus. University Lab School is a K-12 charter school and is considered one of the top high schools in Hawaii. Parents have praised Laboratory School for being similar to one of the best private schools in the area. The Salt Lake City area is located near the military installations of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Fort Shafter and Camp Smith. Public elementary schools in Salt Lake City are rated higher than other areas of Oahu. Top primary schools include Momilani Primary School and Palisades Primary School. Moanalua High School and Aiea High School, both located near Salt Lake City, are often considered among the best high schools in Hawaii, while Moanalua High School also has a strong reputation.  

Hawaii Kai is also known to have the best schools on Oahu. The Hawaii Kai Public Schools complex was the first in the state to offer the prestigious and rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) World School Program for grades K-12. Families living in Hawaii Kai can enroll their child in the local elementary school, which feeds into Niu Valley High School and Kaiser High School. The family-friendly Mililani area is also known locally for offering the best education in Oahu’s public schools. 

Some people will move to Mililani so their children can attend nearby schools. Mililani-Uka Elementary School is often considered one of the best elementary schools in Mililani and Hawaii. Mililani Middle School and Mililani High School offer many educational programs, and students often perform better academically than other Oahu schools.  

Best Maui Public Schools

In Makawao, Pukalani Elementary School is the highest rated elementary school, although it ranks much lower than elementary schools on Oahu. Lokelani Intermediate is one of the state’s top secondary schools located in Kihei. Maui High and King Kekaulike High are similarly rated high schools, with Maui High located in Kahului and King Kekaulike located in the north of the country, on the slopes of Haleakala in Makawao.

Best Kauai Public Schools

All of Kauai’s top-ranked elementary, middle and high schools are located in Lihue. Kaumuali’i is the highest rated elementary school on Kauai, although its rating is much lower than the elementary schools on Oahu. There are only three high schools on Kauai, and of the three, Kamakahelei Middle is the best. When it comes to high schools on Kauai, there are only two traditional public school options, and Kauai High School is considered the best, approaching the top ten high schools in the state. 

Best Public Schools on the Big Island

De Silva Elementary School is one of the most popular elementary schools in all of Hawaii and the top public elementary school on the Big Island. Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School is located in Hilo. When it comes to high schools, Kona Pacific Charter School is highly rated, and Waikoloa Middle is one of the top traditional public high schools on the Big Island. Hilo Intermediate ranks among the top of all high schools on the Big Island, although the school ranks in the middle of all high schools in the state. Waiakea High is one of the top high schools in the state, located in Hilo, near the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Where are the best private schools in Hawaii?

The best private school for one child may not be the best for another; however, to narrow down the private school results, we’ve ranked the top schools on each of the major populated Hawaiian Islands based on parent and teacher reviews and ratings for academics, extracurricular activities, teachers, and diversity.  

Honolulu is home to some of the best and most reputable private schools in Hawaii. Some of these schools are known as the best private schools in the United States. Here are the best private schools in Honolulu:

  • Iolani School: With more than 2,000 students in grades K-12, Iolani School has one of the best reputations in Hawaii for academic rigor and successful alumni. It was founded in 1863 and is a religious school affiliated with the Episcopal Church. 
  • Punahou School: Punahou is the largest private school in Hawaii and one of the largest private schools in the United States, enrolling more than 3,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12. Its notable alumni include former President Barack Obama, surfer, and multiple world title winner world Carissa Moore.
  • Mid-Pacific Institute: Mid-Pac is located near the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has approximately 1,500 students in grades pre-K through 12th. It is a Christian school offering the IB curriculum as well as a diverse student body. 
  • Maryknoll School: The largest coeducational Catholic school in Hawaii, Maryknoll was founded in 1927 by nuns and has approximately 1,100 students in grades K-12. They offer a Chinese immersion program for elementary and middle school students.

Kailua, located on the windward side of Oahu, also has several of Oahu’s top private schools:

  • Le Jardin Academy: With approximately 800 students in grades from preschool to 12, Le Jardin is known to be a challenging school with its IB curriculum. It also offers a variety of extracurricular activities in a small school environment. 
  • Trinity Christian School: Known as a classic college-preparatory Christian school, Trinity Christian School serves nearly 400 students in grades pre-K through 12.

Kapolei has a top-notch kindergarten through 12th grade school that offers the IB curriculum:

  • Island Pacific Academy: Enrolling about 500 students in pre-K through 12th grade, this new school in Kapolei offers new opportunities and a rigorous IB curriculum.

On the North Shore of Oahu is an international K-12 day and boarding school that receives excellent reviews from students and parents:

  • Asia Pacific International School, Hawaii Campus. Offering both day and boarding, this international school in Hauula is known for its project-based curriculum and small class sizes on a large rural campus.

Maui Private Schools

  • Makawao has Seabury Hall, which has approximately 500 students and serves students in grades 6–12.   
  • Maui Preparatory Academy is located in Lahaina and serves approximately 260 students in grades pre-K through 12.

Kauai Private Schools

  • The Island School in Lihue is considered one of the best private schools in the state in Hawaii. It serves approximately 425 students in preschool through 12th grade.  
  • Kilauea, located near Hanalei and the Na Pali Coast, is home to Kauai Christian Academy. This small Christian school serves approximately 100 students in grades pre-K through 12th.

Big Island Private Schools

Kamuela has some of the best private schools in Hawaii in the entire state:  

  • Hawaii Preparatory Academy: This K-12 day and boarding school is known as one of the most prestigious and expensive schools in the state. Its students come from all over the world to take academically stimulating college-preparatory classes. 
  • Parker School: Located on the historic Parker Ranch, this K-12 school with approximately 315 students has a family atmosphere.

Holualoa near Kailua-Kona has an excellent Big Island private school: Makua Lani Christian School. This school has approximately 215 students in grades pre-K through 12th. Their strong college-preparatory teachers and personal teachers provide a caring environment for students to learn.

What’s best for your children?

Hard to say. There are many factors to consider including neighborhood, cost, mission and vision, teachers and administrators, programs, sports, scheduling and flexibility, and more. On the one hand, the public school system in Hawaii has received a lot of criticism from members of the community, there are a number of excellent schools with dedicated teachers and administrators. 

All public and charter schools receive equitable per-pupil funding and are governed by the State Department of Education, led by the Hawaii Board of Education. However, despite the apparent parity, some Hawaii public schools in certain areas often outshine others.  

On the other hand, due to their flexible nature and fewer government restrictions, private schools can often more easily respond to the individual needs of students and offer unique educational programs and missions. Private school is much more expensive, but many parents in Hawaii are willing to pay that price.

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