Aliamanu Elementary School

I have a 1st and 4th grader attending Aliamanu Elementary school and we are pleased with the education they are receiving. Dont get me wrong if I had $20,000 to send each of my children to private school I would do it. I miss having music and art for my children but they are doing wonderful in all of the other subjects. We have been blessed some amazing teachers that really give as much as they can to the children. YES funding is low but it is everywhere else. Thats when I donate my time and some supplies to help out my teachers. Number one is be involved. The more I involve myself at the school the more I learn about teachers and staff. There is a lot to make a school run great. Its not just Hawaii that has problems. We are a salty Navy family and move a lot. Dont be afraid of all the bad things people say about this school. Just because ONE teacher does not mesh well with a parent does not make the entire school bad. People judge schools out here so poorly and its truly not fair. Get involved. I did and our first year and a half here has been great and I will have another child attending here in the fall and Im not afraid of her education one bit.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school from K-most of 4th grade. unfortunately i am in a military family. I then moved to Virginia. While I was 2 grade levels ahead in math, science, reading and music, I was behind in history. They teach Hawaiian history a lot more than US history. However that did not stop me from getting perfect scores on all of my end of years tests. While I was there I found my teachers to be very kind and yes the recesses were combined but the Teachers did a great jobs at keeping the kids away from other years and safe. I was very sad when I moved. I am very disappointed that I missed the higher education. If I was to move back as of now, I am in my Junior year of high school, I believe that I would be to far behind Hawaiian schools to graduate. I know I may be a child but take it from someone who has actually experienced the education rather than the parents who aren't actually sitting in the classes with their kids. It was an amazing school. If I could, when I am older and have kids I would send them there.

Love this school!! My daughter was there from 1st-3rd and my son k-1st. We live in Ohio now and their teachers here are amazed how advance my kids are. Was told by my daughter's 4th grade teacher that the math she was taught toward the end of 3rd grade (at Aliamanu) was not taught until 5th grade here in Ohio. My son's 2nd grade teacher told me that he was one of the few kids in his class that can write in a complete sentence and well advance in his math. I might have just been really lucky or blessed with the teachers my kids had. Being in the military, we hear a lot about schools at our next base and was told before we got there that Hawaii school were not that great. Well, Aliamanu was one of the better schools. Even comparing with other parents around the island, they were shocked about the work my kids were doing. I do have to say that more parents need to get involved. I was fortunate not to work so I volunteered A LOT of my time at the school and in classrooms. I understand that not all parents can dedicate all their time there but every little time counts for something.
—Submitted by a parent

Correction: Hawaii state workers are furloughed twice a month, and yet, the teachers do not get the respect they deserve. Parents and teachers have to be good partners on a child's education.
—Submitted by a parent

I moved near this school 2 yrs ago. I have a 7 yr old that has attended 1st and 2nd grde here and also a 4 yr old son that has been in speech therapy here for 1 1/2 years. Let me start by saying Don't judge a book by its cover. After I saw it and read all of these reveiws I figured it to be a horrible and run down school I even tried to get my daughter geographical excepted in a nearby school before enrolling her here. in fact the staff and everyone here has always been very polite and helpful to me. I worked with many of the staff members to enroll my son in speech therapy , they all were very cooperative the whole way ecspecially his speech teacher Mrs. Ann. my son loves her. Both of my daughter's teachers have been great. I have never had any complaints about this school, something I can't say about a newer school in Ewa beach she attended before this one where the reveiws were all good and I had nothing but problems with it...one more thing I have realized after my experience with reading reveiws before my children started this school is that MOST people do not reveiw if the school is not excelling their expectations or something happen to make it a horrible school
—Submitted by a parent

As with any school, the teachers at Aliamanu Elementary are a mixture of experienced, caring teachers and inexperienced, frustrated teachers. I recommend monitoring your child carefully. If there is a change in your child's behavior or school performance, contact the teacher immediately. Listen to both student and teacher and do what needs to be done to enhance your child's education and well-being. Stay in contact with the teacher and try to make sure s/he is getting what is needed from your child. The principal here is outstanding. She will work until seven or eight at night trying to get everything in order, she makes time for parents and you know she is not getting paid more to do so. Any school has potential if parents pay attention to their child and the school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has it's priorities confused, the teachers lack creativity and have no control in the classrooms. I have two children there now and luckily one moves on to middle school where I hope that it's more thought out and friendly. I will home school my other child next year as I think my child would learn more from me and won't be crammed or rushed on learning in order to take the HSA. This is the worst school my children have ever attended on the island or the mainland. If I could rate it a zero star, I would.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at Aliamanu for a year and has done really well with her teachers. She enjoys her classes and the curriculum has been challenging.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to Aliamanu since 2007. Although the teachers seem to be hit or miss, the Special Ed teachers are fantastic. My daughter has an IEP and gos to SPED every day. It has worked wonders for her. Her kindergarten and first grade teachers were fantastic. The school has been very accommodating, and the current principal Valerie Kamemoto cares for every student and handles most situations personally and is very prompt in responding to a concern. My daughter likes this school and I'm happy with her education for the most part. She is learning Hawaiian and Chinese language and culture and Japanese culture in addition to her regular studies. I really wish they had a music and art program, but my daughter doesn't really seem to miss it.The teachers have to try and work with what little they have, and so fare are doing a great job.
—Submitted by a parent

We had a child go to a different much raved about elementary school closely affiliated with federally connected children, for our Kindergarten child this year we chose Aliamanu. It also has many military kids, but I find it refreshing that the children here still have autonomy. This school does not over supervise the children, and that gives them a way to learn and have a sense of independence and pride to do things alone. It is not a 'Nanny' school, the yards are not plush green, Teachers care at this school, and as old as the buildings are, they do good with what they have. During the furlough now, the Principal is doing everything possible to work with the parents, i am impressed with her initiative and can do for the children attitude. Great school
—Submitted by a parent

It is very unfortunate that my daughter does to this school, I thank God that my oldest has finally moved on to Jr. High/Middle School. I have solid proof on just how terrible this school is and the continuous mistakes this school keeps making. My daughter finally got assigned to a teacher that seems to be half way decent. For the last 2/3 years I can honestly say that the teachers are poor, poor in their teaching skills. Before coming here I use to be highly active in the schools, but here, I have no desire. I think as a parent, I would highly suggest to you to dig into what is going on at the school. If the Superintendent, Principal or counselors read this they will know exactly who I am. I have had many incidents with this school that were/are appalling.
—Submitted by a parent

this school lacks basic needs such as yard duty and security. it is an open campus on which the teachers are the primary security force and that is if they are out or happen to notice suspicious things or people. as with most schools here there s no air conditioning. there are about 800 kids and only three play grounds which have to be shared with many classes from different grade levels. pe for most kids is every other week. there re however a few teachers that are well worth have and unfortunately many disenchanted teacher who have seemed to have lost their passion. Unfortunately many hold two jobs and not just in the off season to supplement their income. as far as parent involvement the stats are in accurate there were a few hundred volunteers throughout this year. If you are new incoming to kindergarten I would definitely recommend Mrs. Miyata. She is both stern and caring, and very detail oriented.
—Submitted by a parent

G A R B A G E. If you want your kids to receive some kind of decent education do not send them here. The teachers send assignment papers home with misspelled words and horrible grammar. It really makes you wonder how and what they really teach in class or if they do anything at all.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Aliamanu! We are a salty Navy family that has moved five times in the last ten years, and I can say that this school is better than the 'excellent' school at our last duty station. I have friends all over, and I have compared my daughter's curriculum with that of my friends' children--Aliamanu is right on target with mainland schools. I'm sure some new kids will be ahead and others will be behind. Unfortunately for military families, there will always be variation from state to state as far as educational objectives for each grade level because schools are administered at the state level, not federal. My daughter's teacher is fabulous, and the office staff are professional. The PTO members clearly work hard as well. I recommend this school, and suggest that parents remember that things may seem worse than they are during the first year at a new duty station.
—Submitted by a parent

My insight into Aliamanu Elementary is this: while we were stationed there I wondered if my children would be given a good education so they could transition back into the mainland schools with out needing to play catch up. After four years we moved from Hawaii to Michigan both my children took state test and both scored within the 90 percentile for all subjects. I feel that this school laid a very solid foundation for both their academic achievements. I am so glad they received a high quality of intellectually and culture from Aliamanu
—Submitted by a parent

My child is currently attending Aliamanu. We just transferred here 2 months ago, and I am not impressed. The work she completes at home never comes back graded. It took a long time for her to get her math book, and one of her other books was already written in from a previous years student! Her class is overcrowded.The office staff are very unwelcoming, and that is one of the reasons I haven't come in to volunteer (which is something I did at every other school she attended). I have raised these issues with the vice principal over two weeks ago, and am yet to get a response! I wish I had the money to send her to a private school, I am considering homeschooling.
—Submitted by Christine, a parent

We were a military family that had all of our children go to this school at one point. There is too much emphasis on Hawaiin and Chinese culture and not enough U.S. history. I retired last year and moved to the mainland and I must say that the new school's that my kids are attending are great. There was a huge learning curve for them as they were way behind their peers at the new schools. The reason I felt is that the administration and teachers are not there to teach. I really have nothing good to say about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is entering 1st grade this year and I couldn't be happier with the school. Yes, buildings are outdated (not the administrations fault)and need repairs and updates which they are finally getting. Construction is ongoing but has been moving in a timely manner. You have to go with the good and the bad at any school and I think Aliamanu is no different. On the other side, free after school programs are offered once a quarter allowing students to get exposed to arts and languages. The PTA works hard to raise funds and support not only the students but the teachers as well. Several family events take place throughout the year- movie night, talent show, Christmas program.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel this school is very poorly run. Teachers are wonderful. My sons first grade teacher was the best! I wish Ms Ogawa would move up with my son. Very easy to talk to, very willing to help all students when needed and always had an open door. The Office staff very poor! Principal and Asst. were always in meetings. Very rarely were we able to call and talk with them. PTA very unorganized... Overall Staff (teachers & lunch room staff) were great. School needs alot of help.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 sons who have attended this school from grades 1st through 6th. Overall the teachers are friendly but it was very hard to become involved with school. It wasn't a welcoming place for military families. It is clear from the moment you step foot in the front office that you are unwelcome. The lack of supervision on campus is appalling! I do have to commend the new PTA for the added activities and fundraisers they have put together this year. Too bad it took so long to get it going! I believe this could be a great school if the Principal was replaced!
—Submitted by a parent