Which school complex is best and why?

[csgray]

In general the waiting lists for the charter schools are longest for the lowest grades and get shorter as you move up through high school. Connections has an online application you can fill out to get on the list NOW, depending on the grade there may be an opening for next year by the time school starts. Lots of kids got in the high school right after school started this year. Placement is strictly by place on the waiting list, not lottery. The middle school has 40 places for each grade, the high school runs about 30 per grade and because of the stricter graduation requirements than DOE schools it is generally not recommended that students transfer in for their senior year. My classes at the high school run from 4 to 20 students and we place a lot of emphasis on developing leadership skills and a global perspective, which is sometimes an uphill battle in the current culture. This year's 9th grade class is particularly stellar; smart, funny, and caring kids who are really comfortable in their own skins.

Once one of your kids is in at Connections, then the all your kids have priority for places. Many Connections students come from Volcano and lower Puna on the school's bus. Waiakea has a good reputation but I have heard some horror stories from some of my students who went there straight from the mainland. It all depends on the kid, but Hawaii's large schools can be pretty tough places to get a toehold for students who don't have friends and family here already. Good luck, email me if you have specific questions. If I don't respond it may be the punweb mail system which is on and off. If you post your email I will respond directly. Good luck.

Carol