Hale Kula Elementary School

There are 1 or 2 great teachers at this school but that is it. My child is in 3rd grade here and is teacher has the thickest jersey accent and which is coupled with her poor grammar skills and general misunderstand of the English language. I can barely understand her. She also dresses incredibly inappropriately - more like club attire rather than professional wear. She texts during the day and doesn't seem to care about the kids - just her social life. Maybe it is just this one teacher. I pray for a better teacher next year who can catch my child up on everything not taught in her class (ahem...just about everything).
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE HALE KULA,THE OFFICE STAFF ARE CARING,UNDERSTANDING,AND VERY VERY KIND.OUR SON HAS ATTENDED SINE HE WAS IN 2ND GRADE AND NOW IS 4TH.HE LOVES GOING TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY AND EVERY TEACHER HAS BEEN WONDERFUL ON HELPING HIM WITH ANY STRUGGLES.THE AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING IN REALLY AWSOME AND HAS HELPED HIM ALOT. THANKS HALE KULA FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR SON!
—Submitted by a parent

I don't really care for Hale Kula. The teachers and office staff seem like they don't really care about the students or their education. Since this is the school most children go to when PCSing in, the classrooms are always overcrowded with sometimes 30 or more children in a class! The children get out of school every Wednesday early, and there are always reasons for them to ask for money (fund raiser, shirts, expensive field trips, etc.)
—Submitted by a parent

I would agree with most reviews of this school. It is outdated, over crowded, lacks security, and the bathrooms are nasty, so much that my son refuses to use the bathroom at school, and I know of several other kids who are the same way. Curriculum is not standard across the board, one teacher does one thing, while another does something entirely different. Overall not impressed with this school, and we are looking to move soon, to get our kids in a better school!
—Submitted by a parent

Im not happy with school at all!! Today I went sign my son out early from school. As I was waiting for him in the office to be walk down by an adult seeing how its 3 teachers in the classroom one should have escorted him down to the office. Instend of a little kid that look like he is no more than 5. Yrs old!! And my son is older than him!! I feel like they are lacking safely issuses here when it comes to the safely of your child they should have cameras here and guards watching at all times!! Anybody can walk upon that campus at any time and take a child in no one will know not know it!! No cameras no suvliance system at all!! And prinplce is not doing a good job at all keep our kids safe at all!! Thats why i drive back up to check up on my son!! And they dont keep the bathrooms clean at all for theses kids! Our kids deserve a better school than this!! Our soldiers do alot for our country and they cant give our kids a better school this is not ok!! This post needs to do better than this!! They are lacking atthis school and post!! Parents please stay in the states!!
—Submitted by a parent

I found that the school is extremely outdated not just the school building but also their school supplies in the class rooms. The class rooms are tiny and overcrowded. The facilities have a very poor appearance and I was not the least bit impressed with the education, it definitely lives up to its poor education stigma. I am not at all impressed with this school I am shocked when anyone has anything good to say about it and these comments are far and few.
—Submitted by a parent

Hale Kula is an okay school if you cant afford private. My kids have been going there for three years and it bothers me that their academics are not across the board. One teacher will teach well and give their students tons of productive homework, and another in the same grade will not. No homework or anything. I had a friend and her son was in the same grade just in another class. He was in first grade and couldn't spell....at all. the teacher never sent home spelling homework. While the teacher we had did send home lots of homework. It's not consistant throughout. They are over crowded and have way too many field trips and programs and they need more learning. Now that we have these furlough days, we are getting less time in the classroom. Over all, I would try to move to Mililani where the schools are great.
—Submitted by a parent

Hale Kula rates high - an army base school in Hawaii that holds terrific positive caring as well as excellent performance - all despite the remote location in the middle of the Pacific. They are supporting each other on this active army base and would thrive with the compassionate receiving of these funds. The children of our army soldier families are greatly deserving recipients. Aloha!!
—Submitted by a parent

Hale Kula Elementary School is a great place to learn. I am a student and I have enjoyed being here. We have been here for almost three years and there is a lot of pride in our school. My teacher helps us learn and she makes it fun. I am in 4th grade. The school has lots of activities that you can do after school with your parents. I like that the teachers help us understand our homework and our classwork. I can ask questions when I don't understand things. The teachers always helps.
—Submitted by a student

The school is really clean and has pictures on the buildings to help you know where to go. It has really nice teachers and if you are struggling there is someone to help you. Field trips are fun. I learn a lot here.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is horrilbe!! Most parents currently share the same concerns, our children are not learning. The teachers are giving out busy work and not challenging the students. They entire school shares 2 small playgrounds. The lower grade levels watch TV daily.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been attending Hale Kula for two years now. We have had nothing, but good experiences with teachers, parents, and staff. The more you are devoted to your childs education the better experience you will have thus increasing your childs self-esteem!!! My suggestion is to keep communication open with teachers and staff members!! Yes, the student ratio is high this year, but the administration seems to be doing what they can in order to support this issue. The ladies in the PTO are very friendly. They work hard to help raise money in order to support the school. They were open to my suggestions earlier in the year and I have seen them work hard in order to support the students, staff, and families! All staff and faculty members work hard in order to provide a positive atmosphere for the children. I would recommend this school to others.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is over crowded. There is bullying going on and nothing productive being done to deter or stop the bullying. There is a lot of yelling in the class rooms and a lack of control over students. The principal is not accomodating. She listens like a teenager 'in one ear and out the other'. There are not enough playground equipment for the children. Fortunatley there are a few good teachers at this school but you have to be lucky to get one....good luck.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal at this school is horrible. she often disregards the needs of students with disabilities or special needs if she feels like her position of authority is in danger. i know because i have a child who has special needs. also their program for disabled children is poor. i was horrified and disgusted with it. the school is over crowded and under staffed. i have seen instances where two classes were put into one room, children with special needs being inlcuded in these situations. i wouldnt recomen this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I have one child at this school. This is by far the worst school any of my 4 kids have attended. The teachers do not encourage students,they yell at them and put themdown on a consistant basis. You are not allowed in the classroom onsurprise inspections (which I have done with all the kids) They want to make sure you get permission to do so. No PE/Music/Sports?Art. Also very outdated Language Arts and reading program (which educators say doesnt teach comprehension just the ability to do well on a test. They teachers and staff are ignorant and lazy. All they do is fund raising. The PTO is a group of immature women, who will call you a bad parent if you do not 'join' their organization. All they teach is the HAwaii Assesment Test, and nothing more. I really feel bad for the kids, asthey are theonesto suffer.
—Submitted by a parent

Hale Kula is a great school! They are really accommdated my children esp my youngest who is require extra attention. I have really bonded with the teachers there, they are wonderful. The principal is visible on campus as well as the vice principal. They are very serious about education, safety and inspiring the children that attends Hale Kula. If you are new to the island and have reservation about the school. Hale Kula is great, I became involved with my kids and their education. I learn the parents and teachers have to become a team to make your childs education a success. I praise Hale Kula and the staff for all they do! The secretaries are great too.....
—Submitted by a parent

I have seen nothing but wonderful things come out of Hale Kula. My son is an example of that and my nephew is getting better help then he has in any other special education setting. He is part mainstream and part one-on-one time because of his needs, but my sister raves about how much better he does in this school then he did in a private, special ed only school. I am nothing but ecstatic about Hale Kula and its faculty!
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 children attended Hale Kula for 3 years.This is the worst school that they ever attended.One of my sons teacher could only speak some broken English,the other punished my child and another for 2 months because of mis behavior at the playground. I was never notified. The majority of the teachers here are poor, with lots of yelling, as well as the principal who you almost never see around the campus. They didn't meet the test scores for no child left behind this year which is no surprise as there are 25 plus kids in each class. PE is only available 1 day a week and there is no art class/teacher they just got a music teacher last year. Now back on the mainland and my kids are 6 mos behind.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Hawaii and everyone encouraged us to go to a private school. We decided to give the public schools a chance. Two of our children attended Hale Kula through the third grade. Overall we were pleased with their education and the professionalism of the staff. I would concur with the writer who felt the math teaching was inadequate. Our daughter's teacher did not cover 1/2 of the math book. When she went to third grade she was behind, but she was fortunate to have Ms. Kimaura who worked very hard with her. We moved back to the mainland and our children attended a highly rated Texas public school. They have excelled in this school, never once being behind their peers. Hale Kula does not 'teach the test'. The children take the test without spending hours being prepared. I would recommend Hale Kula for any student.
—Submitted by a parent

I went there about 6 years when our family lived in Schofield Barracks and I really loved the school and the teachers. Some of my best memories so far have been at Hale Kula Elementary.
—Submitted by a former student