KS and Kaua'iʻs Island School announce new educational partnership

For haumāna on Kaua‘i, the educational partnership allows for increased opportunities to attend Island School through shared funding for tuition, wraparound support services, innovative initiatives, and shared data and research.

Nov. 19, 2018

Contributed by Thomas Yoshida

Kamehameha Schools and Island School have teamed up to improve access to quality private school education for more Native Hawaiian students on Kaua‘i.

The memorandum of agreement was signed on Friday, Nov. 16, by KS Chief Executive Officer Jack Wong and Island School’s Head of School Shannon Graves at a ceremony held at the PK-12 campus in Līhuʻe.

The educational partnership between the schools will include shared funding for tuition, innovative initiatives to further integrate Hawaiian culture-based education, wraparound support services, and shared data and research. These efforts are all part of KS’ plan to uplift students through educational systems change.

“We are excited to partner with Kamehameha Schools to inspire Kaua‘i’s children to be confident, passionate learners who embrace their unique interests and learning styles,” Graves said. “This collaboration aligns with our mission of educating the mind, inspiring the heart, and preparing Kaua‘i youth to lead lives of significance.”

This is KS’ fifth partnership with an independent private school in Hawai‘i – creating another opportunity to serve more haumāna beyond its campuses and community programs. Other partner schools include St. Andrew’s School, Assets School, St. Louis School, and Akaʻula School on Molokaʻi.

“Our mission is to restore our people and we accomplish that by putting our keiki at the center of all we do,” Wong said at Friday’s event. “It’s a mission we can’t do alone and working with partners like you in communities like this is how we’ll lift our lāhui.”

Effective for the 2019-20 school year, the agreement will be for three years with the intent to continue beyond the initial term.

Island School’s Head of School Shannon Graves and KS CEO Jack Wong sign the memorandum of agreement.

Founded in 1977, Island School is a co-educational independent day school in Līhuʻe, Kaua‘i. Consisting of approximately 420 students studying in grades PK-12, Island School offers a traditional well-rounded private school structure, while providing a college preparatory educational experience.