Kapolei Elementary School

We moved from GA two years ago and had some reservations about the public schools here in HI. Yes, Common Core is meh, but I want to talk about the staff at this school in particular.
I was pleasantly surprised about how attentive, caring, and accommodating the front office staff is; the Spirit of Aloha truly lives in this school! The counselors and administrative staff that we have met are all so loving and supportive of the children that even my husband, who is rarely surprised by anything, was stunned by the awesome level of care and attention that our son received.
Even when my son was placed in a not-​so-​great teacher’s class during the 2^nd grade (we tried to make it work for 1 quarter), after talking with school administration, I was fortunate enough to be able to move him to another class with a more caring teacher who he and I both loved. The school went through the proper processes but they thankfully did not make it difficult to change classrooms. They were very understanding of my concerns and took the time to listen to what I had to say — how many schools even do that anymore?
I also love how caring the teachers are — for example, my son’s teacher called me this morning to tell me that my son had a headache. They were all supposed to go on a field trip, but she let me come and quickly see him and try to give him medicine. While we waited near the office, my son felt queasy and threw up in the trash cans outside near some class rooms. One of teachers heard him get sick and opened her door to make sure he was all right and handed him some napkins, while I ran to his classroom to grab his things. I was floored and so grateful that she graciously took a moment from her class to check on my sick child. I could tell that this teacher truly loved kids. Both of these ladies get an A+ in my book!

I really like this school but I have to agree with rachie below. The amount of fundraising they do is crazy. I don’t mind the fundraising but when everyone you know goes to the same school it’s hard to fundraise since everyone is selling the same thing at the same time. Other than the fundraising I don’t mind this school. I love when my daughter is off of track because I feel like I have to opportunity to work with her and take her on field trips since the school doesn’t go on to many field trips.

Seagull Pre Plus is located here,.. .. cute, small school! We pick up children here as well for swim classes!

Being that it’s my son’s 1^st year of school, I am extra picky about everything. We just moved from California and everyone informed to put my son in a private school since public schools in Hawaii are known to be junk. I thought I’d give it a try first before I give in to the naysayers.
My son’s teacher, Ms Pascual, is absolutely fantastic. She’s got great control of her class. She truly pays attention to each individual student’s needs and helps them improve. I can’t believe my son has only been in school for 5 months now and he can read many easy words! I didn’t anticipate the accelerated learning from a public school. I certainly didn’t expect my kid to start reading at this age! Her enthusiasm and techniques are key I’m sure. Apparently, she’s rather well known. Many residents here in Kapolei know of her exceptional skills, including the teachers at Seagull School. Everyone gave high recommendations! So, I feel rather lucky that my son has her for a kindergarden teacher. I can’t imagine any private school teacher doing better than her.
The school staff in general are all very kind. The girls in the front office have always been friendly and helpful. Sandy, often has coffee and cookies available for parents in the morning. She even invited parents to use special cutting machines of hers for our own personal decorating! How kind and generous of her! There’s always school faculty and kid volunteers navigating traffic during peak times. Every month or so, there’s also parent coffee hours where parents are invited to learn about different teaching techniques for us to help our children learn better. Heck, I’m all for learning new ways on how I can improve my children’s education at home. In my experience, the better a child does in school, the happier, and more confident the child becomes. Best of all it’s free!
There are multiple school field trips that are funded mostly by them and partially by parents. I love the different experiences he’s exposed to on these trips. I wish all the fundraising we do could help fund these trips completely. =)

Theres a reason for each star taken off… first of all, the track system! Seems like there are so many breaks! As soon as they got off Thanksgiving break, two weeks later there’s another 3wk break… goodness! Although they really don’t have a summer, for every 8wks of school you have 3wks of break and then some.
The second star was taken off because the amount of fundraising and money it takes to maintain and run this school. I can see that they do take pride in their school and community but it’s crazy! From the time school started up to the Xmas break there have already been about 5 fundraisers. Ya, they got a new playground, that did take the first half of the school year to complete (half of it anyways) and sure the school looks in top shape condition, aside the fact that my sons class room a/​c was broken for a month or more…
As for the good things about this school, education and teachers. My sons teacher, Ms Pascual is Great! So patient, understanding, holds the classroom attention very Well and she is so kind and generous =) I have gone to this school the later part of my elementary years and I enjoyed it. The vice principal and counselor are from Campbell (where I went to high school) and they are also great, so I am glad my son is in this school. I’m sure kapolei has high standards for their students compared to a lot of other elementary schools on the island.