Kapolei High School

I too went to Kapolei High School previously, but moved to a private school. I really loved KHS and miss everything about it. The teachers there are so caring and really make classes fun. There are a lot of students, but that just teaches you to be responsible and accountable for your own learning. KHS is a great school! There's so many electives and clubs someone can choose from. There's something there for everyone. Being at a private school, I feel Kapolei Really prepared me. Private school isn't much different from Kapolei. In fact, it's almost easier. I'd recommend Business Academy for Juniors and Seniors. It'd be the best decision they can make!
—Submitted by a student

I went to Kapolei High school before,but now I attend a private school. I really miss Kapolei High school,the teachers there are really nice and make teaching fun. Its not so difficult and stress working there where it is where I now attend school. All the students all are generally good and really funny.Being a big school,you can find all kinds of people to some of the kindest people I've ever met. I really miss my time at KHS.I hope that you will consider KHS. Because it really is a good fun school.
—Submitted by a student

I totally agree with this review. I have had 3 children attend this school. The classes is overcrowded (due to the fact that the state keeps on building home, without the proper schools in place) KHS has no control of this. But the pods are not conducive to learning and the projects are ridiculous. Security is a joke!! There are some exceptional teachers and staff, but if you do not know them you will be in the blackhole revolving voice mail system. The new edline system is great to be kept informed. I also think the new principal, Mr. Esmeralda, will make a BIG difference. I have worked with him in the past and he has the heart and leadership quailities that can make KHS a scool we all can be proud of.
—Submitted by a parent

Student centered heart of the community
—Submitted by a teacher

Kapolei High has the best teachers of course!
—Submitted by a parent

I am an alumni from this school, although I just recently graduated in 2005 I have seen how much of a downfall this school has taken since just 4 years ago. It seems that somewhere from then to now, Kapolei High School has lost any pride it may have had, and its identity that us earlier alumni tried so hard to build upon, I'm talking about our 'One team caring, dignity & integrity' attitude that really differientiated the first classes there to the ones you'll see now. I have younger siblings now attending the school, and even they notice the lack of pride and especially the lack of authority at the school. The principal is all show, he does nothing constructive at all for the school or more importantly for the students. I am disappointed and ashamed for what its become, its become just another low class Hawaii public school. Sad.
—Submitted by a student

I wish that I could give the school a lower rating than 1 star. The communication to home and to the students is horrible. Students attending every day did not know what activities or events were happening. Girls wear pajamas to school to then later change in the day. There are no classes for gifted students and in the freshman or sophomore years, all students are made to take beginning math no mater what they had in middle school. Classes are over crowded, pod set up is not conducive to learning. Group projects usually mean only one or two of the group of 4 or 5 will do all of the work, but everyone will get the credit/grade. We parents call the office to get information about events no one knows anything and you get transferred into the black hole of the voice mail system and with no call back.
—Submitted by a parent

my child attended this school 9 - 12.... the communication between school and home is horrible. Parents never know what is going on until it is to late... newsletters come home 1 every quarter with info on events that have already happened. Information that is sent home requires a signature and return to school, leaving the parent with nothing unless you take it to kinko to be copied before you return it. I am so glad my child has graduated, I do not feel he is prepared for college.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just graduated from Kapolei High School after attending 9th through 12th grades there. It is true that communication is very bad. The current principal would not return my phone calls, and after 4 messages left with the office, I contacted the superintendent of schools. Only then did I get defensive return phone call, which did not resolve any of the problems I had with the school. I had asked to be informed of my sons absences, but never got a notice until it was too late. I got a call the last week of school, saying he would be failing a class. Luckily it was a class that was not needed for graduation. Had I been able, I would have had him attend a different school. Almost any other school would have been better!
—Submitted by a parent

Kapolei HS is a very large school. However, if your student is serious about school he/she needs to take the hardest courses possible. Take all the AP courses you can. There are some very good teachers at Kapolei that will come in early and stay late to help students. I have two sons that attend the school. The only reason students would fail at this school is because they don't do the work. The administration does need to crack down on the dress code policy.
—Submitted by a parent

As a senior from this school, i hear a lot of parents that complain to teachers about their child failing. Ohnestly parents should blame themselves and not the teacher. My opinon is that the teachers are doing their job and like college its up to you as the student to succeed in the lessons given or fail quietly. One of our GLO(General learner outcome) in school is 'Self-Directed Learner'. This applies to the many that do their best in their classes. If their parents are complaining then they should talk to their child concerning why they are failing. But overall I am proud to attend this school. =]
—Submitted by a student

I agree with the students not being held accountable for not turning in their work on time. Our child is always being questioned if their homework is done. Our child does the work and then tells us that an extension was given because no one does the work. The real world is not like this - extensions are not given when the work is not done or completed in a timely manner. I think students need to be held accountable. Especially when they are asked to bring a book to read the first 10 minutes of class for three of their classes each day and can't manage to do that! Hope to see some changes in the system.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an alumni of this school and I'd say don't believe all the negative reviews! Sometimes some people can't handle the unique and newer way that KHS organizes it's curriculum, such as academies, scheduling, etc. But as a graduate of Human Services Academy, my junior and senior year were some of the best years of my life, learning so many things and being with so many people.

As an up-coming senior of Kapolei High School, I'd have to say that we have little 'good' teachers. There are many students who are lazy here and never do their work. It's very ridiculous. This is why teachers may give up on students. If students really want to actually learn, we would have to go in on our own time. This is part of being a self-directed learner. It makes me embarrassed to be a student because of the lazy kids who just play around and not care for their futures However, I think that going to Kapolei High School makes you independent but I wish that teachers could spend more time on students who are willing to work hard and aim high. I would say that Kapolei is an OK school, but it would be better if teachers could be more strict on making students do their work.
—Submitted by a student

*i have teachers who arrive at school at 630 am daily to host tutoring sessions. Some will stay till 7 pm to do the same.* and the class sizes seem to have no impact on discussions. The students who are willing to contribute always have the opportunity to do so. In fact, the class sizes allow for that much more insight into a given topic. The security staff could definitely use an upgrade, but, as a student, I generally feel safe at KHS. Technology-wise, our school is far beyond many in the state. Our library has received awards for being state-of-the-art. Kapolei by far, is one of the best schools this island has to offer.
—Submitted by a student

Its stated that the teacher ratio is 20. Try more like 30 to 35 and the pods have 40+ students. Yes the community is growing but the leader of the school needs to address the problem. Thwe students should not have to pay the price for below standard education, not enough lunches, overcrowded classes, campus, etc. Some teachers are trying their best others are overwhelmed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current student at Kapolei High school, from my point of view..it is one of the best schools Ive been to. The Teaschers may not seem all that nice..but thay cant be nice all the time, concitering they have almost 300 other students to look after, just please be patient with them, they truly are trying there best. The Classes are big but thats because our comunnity is growing, we cant help it :) And YES the pods really dont make sence...but oh well.
—Submitted by a student

I'm currently a student at Kapolei High School and I wish I wasn't. When I arrived at this school, I notice that the students there are all about having a group. I really disliked that because they weren't really open to new students UNLESS you were a local. The teachers there aren't all that nice. My classes were too big. The whole pod thing doesn't make sense.
—Submitted by a student

If your child is exceptionally bright, he/she will not be challenged; if your child needs extra help, he/she will not receive it. The school will only serve an average student, and not very well at that... The teachers are poorly compensated (it's true!), and I think we're getting what we're paying for. Please consider private school if you can or homeschooling if you can't. The socialization is not worth putting them in public school--your kids are better off at home. We have a KHS graduate, and the next child was homeschooled until we moved out of state. IMP is still a mystery to me, by the way... :)
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the harsh comments stated here. My children used to like school until they came here. They both have had teachers who hand out worksheets and sit at their desk to read, while students play cards, or video games for entire class. Curriculum here is terrible. IMP math HANDICAPS our students for college!
—Submitted by a parent