Kahala Elementary School

When I used to attend the school years back, I remember having a principal who never seemed to help parents and often ask us all, as families, to speak with the counselor, who was also very manipulative with dominating personal ideas into other's concerns, to solve any issues. Some teachers I've seen were amazingly keen in helping students, but there were always a few who have never worked like "professionals" and made fun of students' work ethics without offering help. Despite the fact, as a student at the school, I enjoyed the academic program as well as the structure of their everyday schedule. The school's after school program, at the time, was very enjoyable (one of the ways I made good friends) and the recreational center located minutes away from the establishment was a place where students were able to relax and feel comfortable.

Kahala is a great school. Most of the teachers are extremely dedicated and work very hard. The school has had a couple of prinipals over the past few years that have either retired or left due to health reasons. A new prinicpal is on board and she has big plans for the upcoming school year. Kahala is a great school and a wonderful neighborhood.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves this school! We found the school to be very focused on the academic side, which is great, but there are also a great range of after-school activities which balance this out, and the kids love their computer lab time too. My daughter takes the after school hula class, which is taught by one of the kindergarten teachers, and I liked that her teacher integrated small science projects into class activities, like growing a plant for Mothers Day. We think this is a great school!
--Submitted by a parent

My children love this school and the principal is very receptive to parent's concerns. Most of the teachers are dedicated.
--Submitted by a parent

We love this school! I have two boys, one in kindergarden and the other in 2nd grade. So far, i love the teachers that my older boy had. For my younger son, at first i really didn't like the teacher. She was known for not teaching the kids, but my son is doing great in her class. Anyways, as for all the bad things said about the school, it has really changed since the new principle came along. As for other schools, like Wilson, they have great teacher and parent participation. But Kahala is better in academics.
--Submitted by a parent

Kahala is a great school. Teachers are excellent and staffs are wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent

I love it at Kahala. It's fun.
--Submitted by a student

I just really like Kahala because it is fun and exciting. I have been to Kahala from kindergaten and now I'm in fourth grade. Not one of the years in Kahala I didn't like it. They even have AR.
--Submitted by a student

I have two children in this school now. I am not a teacher. I used to rave and love to talk about this school. The teachers are great, dedicated and really interested in providing the kids with an excellent education. Which I do believe they have received. The 'new' principle has both teachers and parents in an uproar. I'm pulling my kids out in 2007/08. He is ineffective, lacks follow up/follow thru and I do not want to follow, his leadership, or rather lack of. I do not want to be part of a system that is unstable and in which I have no confidence. Parent involvement was huge but I've seen it decline, no one wants to work with him! Too bad one person has this much negative power and yet is still around. I think they call that job security and tenure, right?
--Submitted by a parent

The principle, who started 8/2002, by our experience has been completely ineffective on a practical, day to day level. The school has been recognized as a 'Blue Ribbon School', but in the trenches, he is notably passive in problem solving. The teachers so far have been compassionate and effective but issues that require administrative attention go without resolution.
--Submitted by a parent