Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School

Takes care of Non-English children first .Completely ridiculous!!! Everyone is over it!!!! It is not fair. They need to change the No Child Left Behind. What will the school become in 2 years????
—Submitted by a parent

I completely agree that English speaking student get treated as second class citizens at this school. I am also completely turned off by 95% of the staff due to their attitude towards teaching at all. They have been picketing and rallying up to get raises and refuse to do any "Extra" work with the kids! Don't take it out on our children, it' s only going to guarantee that my vote will be for you NOT to get a raise, and STOP talking/complaining to the children that you are doing this for free or telling them its a waste of your time! My kid comes home explaining more about the teachers situation and their views on this than the curriculum. Im really getting sick of this school, there NEEEDS to be a major staff turnaround.
—Submitted by a parent

I am tired of my English speaking children being a second class citizen to the non-English speaking children whom get everything for free!!! Not mine! We pay because we work! Teachers are nice but they need to be assisting the English speaking kids also!
—Submitted by a parent

It is obvious to me a parent, that the one star comment below is from a parent that has spent little time getting to know the staff, teachers, and the resources available at this school. Waikoloa does an outstanding job with what they have to work with. It is a school that requires a lot of parent involvement both at school and at home, which is what kids need the most today. I suppose if you are a parent that does not have the time for this and can afford the babysitting private or charter school is best for your child. I guarantee you I have never met the parent below at a PTSA meeting. By the way $1500 a month for home schooling is a great 2nd income isn't it?
—Submitted by a parent

If you want to know how bad this school really is, simply ask the support staff where they send their children to school. They will tell you that after working here they have either decided to home-school, or they send their children to WHEA charter school or they pay for them to go to Parker private school. Ask to see the turnover for support staff. Talk to parents with children in the middle school. And finally take the brochures from the office and ask the teachers about them. They not only have no idea that their teaching contracts require them to provide the services described, they often misunderstand them completely. Google Comprehensive Student Support System (CSSS) and ask the administration what systems they have in place - by law they must have - and I guarantee you will get an easy to recognize smoke screen. My advice? If your children are in third grade or above - do not send them here. Not only will they lack an education, they will be exposed inappropriate behavior and language by adults and other students.
—Submitted by a parent

It seems like a lot of reviews come from people who work at this school. As a parent of a child who has attended this school, as well as school in the mainland I have a much different perspective. While there is a high level of parent involvement, the staff itself is lacking and in my experience-unfriendly. It should be noted that this school has not made the AYP for five consecutive years now, and is planned for restructuring. I can see why. My child, after moving to the mainland made leaps and bounds socially and academically in another school after struggling at Waikoloa. I knew many families that removed their children from Waikoloa Elementary and put them in private schools or home schooled instead. If these alternatives are not viable options for your family, I guess it's as good a school as any in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

Waikoloa is a wonderful school in a caring community
—Submitted by a teacher

We have grade level teams that work together to best support the students. We have teachers and staff that are willing to help each other out when in need.
—Submitted by a parent

Great library, awesome kids, wonderful place to work!

I love the campus, the administration is the best, the teachers and staff are my collaborative friends, the students are friendly and respectful, the parents are a tremendous help to our school, and the community is adorable. I have my favorites, but I love 'em all!
—Submitted by a parent

Waikoloa Elementary & Middle school provides my children with a top notch learning environment, support for their early education, and fun activities to keep them excited about learning. We love Waikoloa School!
—Submitted by a parent

I enjoy the team work and dedication of all the teachers and staff, as well as students, of this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a teacher

We have been very blessed with the special services Waikoloa School provides. I give them lots of credit for the outstanding develop of my children.
—Submitted by a parent

The school environment is fantastic. The students care for each other and the teachers encourage independent thinking.
—Submitted by a teacher

The school is good, the teachers and staff(s) are good and I can see how improved my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My sister is one of the PTSA volunteers and works hard for the students and school to help bring in needed financial assistance, ie, fundraisers, getting a new playground and assistance for students and teachers as well. And she does this free because she has three boys who attend Waikoloa Elementary school, and she cares about the quality and access to great education. Waikoloa Elementary school is also a fun, innovative, and creative place to learn. And it's located on the big island of Hawaii!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I know alot about this school and I have experienced schools across the board including schools in NV, UT and ID. I have 4 boys and we have spent the last 6 yrs experiencing all that Waikoloa School has to offer which is in my opinion, extensive! Hawaii offers so many diverse learning opportunities not available to a majority of schools including field trip excursions to study the ocean, Mauna Kea Observatory, Rain Forests, Volcanoes, 11 of the world's 13 climates, Hawaiian culture, race diversity, Dolphin study, environmental concerns, Space Program study and most importantly a caring staff and most dedicated volunteer system focused on helping to improve help for special funding, teacher grants, in-classroom help and so much more. This school concentrates heavily on student achievement, progress and meeting/exceeding the standards. Everyone is focused on helping our students succeed. I, an active parent here for 6 yrs. is most impressed!
—Submitted by a parent

They are more than a student body and a staff, they treat each other like family. They are in the process of adding a middle school to the campus so the children will no longer have an hour long bus ride out of the area for Jr. High. They have kept P.E., art, music, drama, and sports in the school through the teachers going that extra mile for the kids often donating their personal time and finances. I bought my home in this town just for the school my children would attend!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school in a wonderful community. We have four children attending and all have had an incredible experience.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best public elementary school on the Big Island. The standardized test scores are different to the Mainland due to the difference in socioeconomic demographics (large migrant worker/non-English speaking population). The staff are dedicated, the administration hard-working, and the student body very friendly and welcoming. All three of my children attended, after coming from an excellent school in California. I was worried, at first (Hawaii public schools' bad reputation), but am very happy with the results. Unless you are willing to pay $14k per year for private school, this is the best school you can send your children to.
—Submitted by a parent