December 20, 2011
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
"We're so proud of the students who attend our campuses," said Kamehameha Schools' CEO Dee Jay Mailer. "They are remarkable in their academic excellence, their talents in the arts, athletics and leadership, their character and their service to others. They exemplify our Founder's values – a strong cultural and spiritual foundation that leads to excellence in all they do."
Many don't realize that Kamehameha also provides support and services to multiple communities throughout the state – reaching thousands of students and families beyond its campuses.
"We extend such pride to students that Kamehameha also supports in community schools serving our beneficiaries, whether they attend our Hawaiian focused charter schools or the public schools in largely Hawaiian neighborhoods, added Mailer. "Recent reports of greater literacy rates in elementary classrooms, less absenteeism rates in high school, growth in reading and math abilities, greater connections to ancestry and communities and aspirations for higher learning are music to our ears as we extend Pauahi's reach to more and more learners each year. As Kamehameha its 125th year of existence, it is with a heartfelt I Mua! that we will sustain this support for many generations to come."
Kamehameha's support of the State's public schools in districts such as O'ahu's Leeward Coast has remained a key focus throughout its Education Strategic Plan implemented in 2005. Support for educational programs and collaborations in communities where many Hawaiians live totaled $106 million this year – of that, $31.9 million supported improved teaching and learning in public school programs and services.
Kamehameha Schools' FY 2011 Annual Report, on the trust's website today, reported that Kamehameha's Education spending was also up from $299 million in FY 2010 to $315 million in FY 2011. The full text of Kamehameha's Annual Report is available at www.ksbe.edu/annualreports.
Some of Kamehameha Schools' community-focused programs and public school support include:
Literacy Instruction & Support (LIS): $7.2 million for LIS which provides literacy instruction with emphasis on Hawaiian culture to students in public schools located in predominantly Native Hawaiian communities. The program serves students and their families from Kindergarten to third grade (K-3) and in intermediate school.
This school year, LIS expanded their services in grades K-3 to three new sites at Nā'ālehu Elementary, Pāhala Elementary and Wai'anae Elementary. The program has also expanded to include adolescent-aged students at Nānākuli Intermediate and High School as part of the State's Race to the Top initiative. Since the program's inception, the number of students has doubled, serving more than 3,700 students and parents through in-school and after school programs that cover topics in science, math and reading.
Hawaiian-focused start-up and conversion public charter schools: This year, Kamehameha Schools has provided $10.6 million in per-pupil funding (up from $9.1 in FY 2009-10) serving 4,063 students and their families. Of the overall $10.6 million, Kamehameha funded $ 2.2 million to support preparation for accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and new facilities for the 17 public charter schools that have a Hawaiian-focused curriculum. In addition to the positive outcomes that accompany accreditation, each school Kamehameha helps achieve accreditation for, a space for a new start-up charter school is created.
Educator training: $7.9 million (up from $6.4 million FY 2009-10) in educator training and support including funding for public school teachers serving predominantly Hawaiian communities.
Other Education Strategic Plan milestones in FY 2010 include:
"It's an exciting time for Kamehameha Schools," said Mailer. "Through initiatives like Ka Pua, which brings improved learning opportunities to keiki and families on the Leeward Coast, to our 31 community-based preschools throughout the state, to the thousands of scholarship recipients attending preschool, Kindergarten and college, Kamehameha is honored to serve alongside our community partners. We share the kuleana to improve the well-being of our people."
Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling over 6,900 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i and 31 preschool sites statewide. Over 40,000 additional Hawaiian learners and caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools' outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai'i and across the continental United States.
See the full text of Kamehameha's Annual Report at www.ksbe.edu/annualreports
Media contact: Elizabeth Ahana, (808) 534-3872
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
