Kailua Intermediate School

We started out the school year optimistic. Our daughter made some nice friends and while the move to a much bigger school took getting used to, she enjoyed the experience. She had some good teachers and some who were indifferent. It was surprising for the gifted and talented program, but I think we could have looked past this until the bullying and intimidation started. For her it was in art class when an 8th grade girl took a disliking to our daughter and began to tease and intimidate her. It didn't take long for the bully to escalate to intimidation and threats of violence, but when we spoke to the counselor her first question was, " What did your daughter do?" A few teachers have been kind enough to keep a watchful eye out for my daughter's safety, but any gains in security have been hard fought against a school more interested in protecting their staff than nurturing and stewarding their students. If you are thinking of putting your daughter in this school, make sure she can defend herself. the education ours is receiving is not quite the orientation we had been expecting.
--Submitted by a parent

The Honor's Program (GT) at KIS is highly-regarded and rigorous. It is a well-kept secret that the curriculum utilized and the technology available to the students in this program are similar to those used in the most prestigious private schools on the island. I have been repeatedly impressed by the level of commitment and involvement by the teachers in the Honor's Program and feel very thankful that my child is a part of it. Many Honor's teachers generously spend off-time to create enriching opportunities outside the school schedule. Band is a highlight of the school, as is the science and robotics program. My child has never once been bullied and has made good friends. There are some "thugs" that attend this school, and it is sad to see that this is the direct product of lack of parental involvement. Get involved with your child's education, parents!!! Very military-friendly school. Bravo, KIS!
--Submitted by a parent

This school does not deserve the rating of "8." Many kids are having lots of problems at this school. The teachers do not teach the students - they hand them the work and expect them to do it without any type of instruction or guidance. There is no communication and no accountability or trust with the teachers - they are part of a union - so no one can touch them - not even the principal or superintendent.
--Submitted by a parent

My son just completed 8th grade in the GT program and I am sad it is all over. It was a wonderful experience and he recieved an excellent education. The principal was very responsive and the Band teacher is probably the top in the country, my son not only recieved a great education but learned to get along with all kinds of kids from every economic background. There were very littlie reports of fights and drugs which is more then I can say where I grew up in the 70's on the mainland. I would not waist your money on private school save it for college and send your child to KIS. We were very happy and as always it is what your child goes home to that is important, Snap grades were great I can't say enough good things about the program.
--Submitted by a parent

One person runs that school and it isn't the Principal. If there is an issue with one of the Teachers, the staff circles around that teacher wrong or right to protect them at the expense of the students well being. Assignments are given out and never graded. The staff treats the children and parents in a very unwelcomed mannter
--Submitted by a parent

My child was a student at KIS, enrolled in the GT program. We actually cancelled a move to the mainland because of him getting into this highly talked about program. This porgram is a complete waste of time. If there are issues with teachers, the issues go ignored, turned around to make it seem like it is your fault, and the child is punished for respectfully speaking out. The Principal is not in charge of this school, the G.T. Head is. Do not get on this man's bad side, he will kick your child out of the program. Assignments are assigned and not counted in their grade. Teachers are smart mouthed to the students and say inappropriate things. I was told by my childs teacher that my child violated his trust by coming home and talking about certain things that he was told not to talk about to anyone. Yea....
--Submitted by a parent

My son moved from a private school that was unable to address his learning needs to KIS. He has had more depresion and more fear going to KIS than the private school. I feel that the instruction he gets is about average, they have helped him improve in his difficulties, but his fear of going to school can influence his learning. We also feel there is no other choice for our son.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended KIS last year. We have since moved on and I am so grateful that he no longer attends this school. I fault the DOE for most of the problems within all Hawaii Schools. The lack of money is a huge issue here. The school my son currently attends is light years ahead of KIS and it is a public school on the mainland. He said that the kids here actually care about their homework and there is an emphasis on doing well in classes and being smart in all classes not just the advanced GT ones. We all loved living in Hawaii, but would never move back as long as we have school aged kids.......well unless we can send them to a private school.
--Submitted by a parent

Hello. I am the parent of a 7th grade student at KIS Kailua. We have recently relocated from Los Angeles to Kailua. I can easily confirm that KIS Intermidate is a fine school. In Comparision to Los Angeles. KIS seem to have emphasis on self- esteem, cultural respect, and family foundation. This is the biggest difference to Los Angeles. I am seeing that my daughter is now a more rounded individual, which is helping her to be a more receptive student to learn. I have heard ever since we arrived in Hawaii about all the DOE and public school short falls. Some may be valid. Los Angeles may have better test scores in some schools, but the childern are way more pressured and regimined. I feel this school is doing their job. When our daughter comes home, we as parents make sure we do ours.We are satisfied. Thanks Hawaii
--Submitted by a parent

I attend Kailua Intermedaite School, and I am in the GT program that is held at this school. I believe this school is okay, but it could improve in what teachers they have at this school. In some of my classes, one of my teachers are biased in his teachings, which is not good in teaching students. While the principle tries to avoid some situations that are going on in the school. Other than that, the fights that occur in this school is very minimal, and it's reputation from the last few years has faded also. Overall, i think this school is an average school.
--Submitted by a student