Kapaa Middle School

I have been asked to weigh in by Great Schools though email. In the past three months it would seem that the situation at KMS is stagnant. When I asked an individual how the school was doing they gave me information that I am all too familiar with about the school. In short it is not a school I would want my child to attend. In reviewing previous comments I don't see too many "middle of the road " comments. I guess the term "You either love the school or hate it". The school is still under restructuring according to No Child Left Behind and has been so for six long years. On the mainland a school in this situation would have had all teachers and administrators reassigned to positions at other schools or fired. At this writing there are several teaching positions available. Not a good sign of progress. I am a former staff member of this school who cares about Hawaii's children

Kapaa Middle School has been struggling with many challenges relating to individual concerns of a few parents and staff members. Considering the history of the school and all that it's gone through, the current Administration and Leadership Team has been doing an exceptional job at moving the school forward, improving student performance, and bettering the overall culture of the school.
--Submitted by a parent

I wonder why this school has a principal that has absolutely no interaction with his students! My daughter has often complained to me that he ignores her whenever she greets him w/ a friendly 'good morning'.. she says that he is hardly ever out of his office and has 'a very mean face'.
--Submitted by a parent

It has the best chorus program in the state of hawaii and it teaches the first A.V.I.D program in the state also
--Submitted by a student

Kapaa Middle has such great potential to be an outstanding school. They have areas of excellence and then they have areas that are just horrible. They have a handful of teachers that are well rounded and willing to go the extra distance for the students whatever the child's background. There is not enough parent to school communication and the Principal and VPs need better leadership development skills or perhaps DOE needs to replace them with persons with the kind of skills to get the school out of restructuring and running as a quality school not a 'just getting by' school.
--Submitted by a parent

We just moved to Kauai from California. When my child first went to Kapaa Middle School she was met by her Counselor. I was happy to see the Counselor was a man. Most of the Counselors I have seen are women. I was interested to hear more from my daughter. When my daughter came home she told me the Counselor showed her around the school, introduced her to all her teachers and really made her feel comfortable. Over the past months I have heard many things about Kapaa Middle School. My daughter seems to like the school but tells me her classes have too many kids that act up in class for her to really learn.
--Submitted by a parent

I truly believe their teachers are one of a kind and should not be judged just by the test scores that are produced. But the kind of people they raise in their classroom that turn out ot be respectful, and successful adults. The atmophere within the school is excellent due to the several ethnicities present, there is mutual respect towards each other's customs. The teachers there not only teach their students arithmetic lessons but also life lessons and how to deal with life. Kapaa Middle School Rock On!
--Submitted by a student

my daughter is new at the school, she was concerned before she started but now is having a great experience! she loves all her teachers , they are all supportive and seem to appreciate and acknowledge her possitive attitude and are communicating with me, we both feel good about her attending this school,and are looking forward to the year at kapaa middle school
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 2 children that attend Kapa'a Middle school. At this time i am very unhappy with this school. My husband and I have dedicated our lives to our children's education in the Hawaiian Immersion program that is only offered in the Kapa'a school district. I have moved from Honolulu to Kaua'i to raise my children on a more peaceful island that has always been more cultural in the hawaiian ways. we haved lived all over this Island from Koloa to Hanama'ulu to Kapa'a and have sacrificed alot of things just so my children would be able to go to a school tolearn their on language and culture. Now i recieve a letter telling me that my children has to change their elective because they can't find a teacher to teach in the hawaiian immersion program. My children are very upset and i don't blame them.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter comes here and she learns a lot!
--Submitted by a parent