A North Shore Oahu home comes with certain challenges. As residents there proudly acknowledge, it is Oahu’s version of The Country, placing you in the midst of incredible scenes of Nature’s beauty and power, but also making even daily errands a longer haul. However, one thing that is covered is the school system.
7 Elementary schools are found from Kaaawa, where the borders of Windward Oahu and the North Shore blur, all the way east to Waialua. The smaller population does mean, however, that the Intermediate and High School levels are combined, with just 2 up here.
That’s the same number of private schools within this district, one of them that’s sure to be a surprise to even experienced Hawaii education watchers. There’s also the North Shore Charter School that’s aiming to open for the 2018/19 term, serving, at least initially, 7th & 8th grades. Though not an option now, it shows the possibilities for the future.
The choices may not be as broad on the North Shore, but they are solid and your child will find a place in their classroom waiting for them. Country life doesn’t mean a long bus ride to town any longer for the keiki of today’s North Shore homeowner.
NORTH SHORE OAHU SCHOOLS
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ON OAHU’S NORTH SHORE
KAHUKU COMPLEX
Hau’ula Elementary
54-046 Kamehameha Highway, Hauula, Hawaii 96717
Website: https://www.hauulaelementary.com/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 319
Number of Faculty: 24
Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Offers Hawaiian Immersion Program that covers all grades, Kindergarten to 6th. Only one other school on this side of Oahu has this program. Student activities include morning workouts, Kukini Club and a very active Aina in the Schools program.
Ka’a’awa Elementary
51-296 Kamehameha Highway, Kaawa, Hawaii 96730
Website: http://kaaawa.k12.hi.us/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 126
Number of Faculty: 8
Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Ka’a’awa is one of the smallest schools in Hawaii, reflecting the close-knit community it serves. Partnership with Kualoa Ranch has created 4H program, along with a Hawaiian saddle and leatherwork program. Currently working on ‘Light House School’ status through their Leader In Me program.
Kahuku Elementary
56-170 Pualalea Street, Kahuku, Hawaii 96731
Website: http://www.kahukuelementary.com/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 435
Number of Faculty: 30
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Along with having mini-computer labs in all grade 2 to 6 classes, those students also have periodic individual goal-setting conferences. Students honored at school wide assembly every 1st Monday of the month for hard work and citizenship. Parents of honorees encouraged to attend.
Laie Elementary
55-109 Kulanui Street, Laie, Hawaii 96762
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/laie.k12.hi.us/laie-elementary/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 665
Number of Faculty: 37
Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Has gotten Distinguished School Award every year since 2006/07 for meeting No Child Left Behind progress targets. After hours instruction program, called Twilight School, and academic interventions are part of school’s methods for supporting students in need.
Sunset Beach Elementary
59-360 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
Website: http://www.sunset.k12.hi.us/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 471
Number of Faculty: 29
Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Curriculum uses differentiated instruction in the classroom to give students varied ways to learn. Art and technology are also utilized where possible in daily lessons to encourage creativity and needed skills. Partnerships with local farmers a major part of teaching Sustainability to students.
WAIALUA COMPLEX
Haleiwa Elementary
66-505 Haleiwa Road, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
Website: http://www.haleiwa.k12.hi.us/site3/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 199
Number of Faculty: 12
Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Different teaching strategies used to reach students through their optimal learning style. Math Everyday and Reading First programs are used across all grades. Students have activities such as Room of Rock, Iwa Band and Leadership Club, among others.
Waialua Elementary
67-020 Waialua Beach Road, Waialua, Hawaii 96791
Website: http://www.waialuae.k12.hi.us/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 556
Number of Faculty: 31
Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1
School day divided here. Mornings for core subjects, English, Math, Science, etc. In the afternoon, students go to academies they choose and do project-based learning activities. Waialua is working toward being a 1:1 school, with 1 computer/tablet for every student.
PUBLIC INTERMEDIATE & HIGH SCHOOLS ON OAHU’S NORTH SHORE
Kahuku High & Intermediate School
56-490 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, HI 96731
Website: http://www.kahukuhigh.org/
Grades: 7th to 12th
Number of Students: 1,432
Number of Faculty: 96
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Known especially for football team that is consistently ranked #1 in Hawaii as well as often achieving national rankings. Kahuku also stands out for having a Hawaiian Immersion program, an award winning Health Learning Center and a program that teaches students hands-on skills growing threatened and endangered Native Hawaiian plants. The JROTC Battalion is the highest scoring program in Hawaii and is given 5 appointments for admittance to our US military academies.
Waialua High & Intermediate School
67-160 Farrington Highway, Waialua, HI 96791
Website: http://www.whis.k12.hi.us/
Grades: 7th to 12th
Number of Students: 652
Number of Faculty: 42
Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Holds quarterly Parents Nights to engage families and emphasize importance of college & career preparedness so they can support their child’s education. 84% of recent graduating classes went on to 2 year, 4 year or technical school. Wide variety of athletic options, including bowling, air riflery, judo and paddling.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON OAHU’S NORTH SHORE
Asia Pacific International School
54-230 Kamehameha Highway, Hauula, HI 96791
Website: http://apishawaii.org/
Grades: K to 12th
Religious Affiliation: Christian/Non Denominational
Number of Students: 150
Number of Faculty: 15
Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Tuition: K to 4th – $15,000; 5th to 8th – $23,200; 9th to 12th – $25,300
K to 4th grades opened in Fall 2017. Sister campus in Seoul, which students can transfer to directly. Middle & High School students have 5 & 7 Day boarding options. Asia Pacific uses project-based & experiential learning and a unique focus on issues & future of Pacific Region, with emphasis on East Asia. 100% of graduates go on to 4 year institutions.
St Michael School
67-340 Haona Street, Waialua, HI 96791
Website: http://www.stmichaelschoolhi.com/
Grades: Pre-K to 8th
Religious Affiliation: Christian/Roman Catholic
Number of Students: 90
Number of Faculty: 6
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Tuition: Pre-K – $6,750; K to 8th – $5,960
Preschool uses Montessori-based methods and instruction. Grade school has holistic approach, with a Christian emphasis, to education. Community service required of all students, from 5 hours/year for K/1st to 25 hours/year for 6th to 8th graders. Children are guided and taught at their pace, with small classes giving teachers more 1 on 1 time when needed.