Waialua Elementary School

Waialua Elementary won the state Blue Ribbon School award for 2010 and has been nominated for a National Blue Ribbon Award. Waialua's reading scores are in the top 10% of the state, even though it is a rural school with a significant portion of students receiving free and reduced lunch. Teachers are very nurturing but they hold students accountable. In a culture where everyone gets a trophy for just showing up, a school that demands real, quality performance is priceless.
--Submitted by a teacher

The teachers and staff at Waialua Elementary work so well together, like a family. Their devotion to educating and caring for their children shows. Since the school year for Hawaii's public schools has being cut short by 17 days due to the furlough, it has been a very challenging time, and Waialua Elementary continues to do their best to to provide a top-notch education to every student.

Most teachers and the principal discourage parent involvement (like volunteering). Though some teachers are intelligent about children, most teachers at WES care more concerned about disciplining children than teaching them. For example, there are ineffective behavior programs in place for some lower grades, where the majority of students are punished rather than rewarded. Thus, the teachers appear arrogant and detached from students. Most students' bad behavior is minor, and should be dealt with in the classroom, yet teachers too easily send them to the principal or the behavior modification program. Students are recognized as individuals VERY little. Families in the area are more diverse each year, and the school isn't adjusting. The best thing about the school is that the children get along with each other in general, and form good friendships. The area places high value on family, which is great!
--Submitted by a parent

We're constantly striving to improve ourselves. WES is on one of the few schools that have met NCLB requirements every year.
--Submitted by a teacher

The teachers and families at Waialua El. are so caring that they make it a fun place to be. So much learning takes place because we all work together.
--Submitted by a teacher

I have taught at this school for more than 20 years. We are always working together as a team to be a leading school in the state, let alone being recognized at a national level. We have the best staff and teachers I could ever hope to work with. Our students, families and students are wonderful and supportive! I will be here until I retire!
--Submitted by a teacher

I love Waialua Elementary School because I work with the greatest group of people in the state. They are caring, sharing, unselfish people who will drop what they're doing to help anyone in need. It's a pleasure to come to work everyday, even when I'm not feeling well.
--Submitted by a parent

Best people to work with, a great community to be a part of...
--Submitted by a teacher

Waialua Elementary has a special of combination of academic excellence and family nurturing. We teach our kids and love them like family.
--Submitted by a parent

We know that they care about their students very much!