Our School

List of 4 items.

• Mission and Philosophy

  Island School is an educational system. The various parts coordinate to contribute to the development of alert and lively human beings who are:
  
  

  • skilled in the basic tools of the modern world;
  • knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, current as well as of the past;
  • sensitive to outside, local, and world influences and communities;
  • aware of and committed to their civic responsibilities;
  • filled with curiosity and an eagerness to find their particular niche, fulfillment, and joy in life. 

  
  Our success is measured through student growth and development, individually and in the aggregate, and by appropriate college placements of its graduates.

   

  Island School is a place where not only traditional lines of thought are respected, but staff members keep abreast of new ideas and technologies. As appropriate, these are incorporated into the curriculum. Learning is dynamic and progressive, not fixed and static; therefore, the curriculum is under continuous review and best practices are consistently employed.

• Location and Campus

  Island School is located in Puhi, a small, primarily residential town with a population of about 3,000. Puhi, which is also the home of neighboring Kaua‘i Community College, borders Līhu‘e, which is the County Seat of Kaua‘i, and where Lihu‘e Airport is located. The area is home to a number of schools and churches, the Kaua‘i Museum, and a variety of interesting and vibrant retail businesses, including those in downtown Līhu‘e and the Kukui Grove Shopping Center.

  
  Island School is located on 38.4 lovely, grassed acres, and majestic mountain and meadow views abound. The campus includes:
  
  

  15 regular classrooms	Main Hall which serves as a theatre and cafeteria
  2 science laboratories	Center for Hawaiian Culture and the Arts
  2 computer laboratories	2 Learning Resource Centers
  art room	1 faculty workroom
  music room	offices for teachers and administrators
  small gymnasium	acres of playing fields
  full-sized, regulation gymnasium	ample parking

  
  

  A master plan has been developed for existing facilities as well as those that are projected. For the near future, this includes plans for the construction of a math, science and robotics complex complete with an arena for robotics competition. Other buildings, including a performing arts center, will be built as soon as sufficient funds can be raised. A full photovoltaic energy system that comprises 1,200 solar panels was installed in 2012. The system, which is the result of a partnership between Island School and a local business, provides energy for daytime needs and makes the Island School campus a model of alternative energy consumption.

• The School

  Island School currently enrolls 492 students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Students are served by 52 teachers and 4 instructional support positions. The student/teacher ratio is about 15:1. Administrators and other staff members number 27, bringing the total staff count to 79 positions.

  
  The school population reflects the diversity of the island. Students range in age from 3 1⁄2 to 18 years old. In ethnicity, they are mixed. About half are of Caucasian descent; the rest are of various backgrounds including: Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Hispanic, Chinese, and other ethnicities. In ability, they rank in the top third of students nationally, as indicated by the Education Records Bureau, Stanford Achievement Test (9), College Board SAT and other assessments. Based on demonstrated need, 51% of the families receive some amount of financial aid.

  
  Students come to Island School from all areas of the island. Most travel to and from the campus by private car including carpools. School bus service is available to students living in outlying areas from Princeville on the north shore all the way to Kekaha on the west side. This means that Island School is a commuter school, not the center of a residential community. The population of Kaua‘i is 72,000. Of this number, nearly 12,000 are children and young people of school age. About 1,000 (8%) attend either independent or parochial schools. Island School is the largest and most comprehensive of these.

• Faculty – Characteristics of Excellence

  The Island School faculty is a passionate, diverse group of individuals who are dedicated to the growth of their students, their community, and themselves. They describe themselves as:

   

  • knowledgeable in both content areas and with student development;
  • lifelong learners;
  • dedicated professionals;
  • self reflective;
  • responsible;
  • flexible and collaborative;
  • ethical;
  • respectful - to the environment, self, and others;
  • fearless and risk-taking;
  • empathetic;
  • enthusiastic about teaching;
  • well-rounded;
  • creative;
  • empowered.

   

  The rewards gained from teaching at Island School include:
  
  

  • academic freedom;
  • being part of a dynamic and caring community where learning is valued;
  • being surrounded by excellence in others;
  • being supported both academically and personally;
  • seeing students grow and blossom as a result of our teaching;
  • working with a diverse and interesting group of colleagues.