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I have two daughters in HAAS which is a charter school in Pahoa. I believe HAAS has just been going through an accreditation process.
Our family is very happy with HAAS. The girls declared their first day there "The best first day ever". The teachers are caring and demanding. There's a fair bit of homework to be kept up with and there is theater which has them excited. They are getting good grades, winning some state writing awards and HAAS has a community service requirement of students too.
From what I know HAAS has about 300 students. There has been no fighting or violence at all.
Previously my young ladies attended Auntie Cyndie's School in HPP. Very tearful graduation from Cyndie's. For them Cyndie's is sacred ground.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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quote:
Originally posted by Damon
Do I hear squeaking wheels? [
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http://www.hcsao.net/panel
The more we speak up... the more they will listen.
My new signature for a bit.
Many colleges accept students based on their history/proof of wanting to learn and their desire to learn more. They often judge these factors based on volunteerism to one's community, experience and drive. In my experience, a person would be hard pressed not to get into UH. If not there, then surely the community college, which has many ties to UH with far less requirements. As long as you can pay tuition, they seem to take you as a student. Many colleges are of this same mind. It is intensive paperwork and follow-up usually, but it is available as long as the applicant has no faulty legal record. As for charter schools, I have close friends that are teachers in our public schools here, but I believe that their hands are harshly tied these days. Different options in schooling for our children seems essential, especially in such a diverse community, one style does not fit all! Let your child go where THEY WILL THRIVE!! Different children thrive in different situations. Any way you choose, be involved, be aware... I went through no less than 20 schools growing up... changing is Hell, but Oh so necessary sometimes. Change is not an enemy, staying with what isn't working... IS.
Melissa Fletcher
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973
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wondering if anyone can respond to the original question?
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I am going to say something about to the original question. I did not do so earlier because I don't have any kids going to school yet so I don't have any direct input. But since nobody else is stepping in:
I have judged at the Hawaii District Science and Engineering Fair for over a decade. So, I think I have some overview of the situation in different schools, albeit in just the one subject (Science, and perhaps indirectly, Math). This is the basis of my comments, which of course is only part of the story.
I have seen no evidence that the local Charter Schools are better academically than the Public Schools. Maybe one particular charter school may on average send better students to us than one particular public school. But I have not noticed an obvious general trend there. If I try and disregard certain exceptional kids that clearly do well regardless of the school they attend, the only conclusion I would reach with any confidence is that the typical HPA (Waimea private school) student does better than average.
So, I have seen no evidence that you are are in some ways ruining your kids' futures by keeping them in a public school.
In my opinion the important questions are: (a) do your kids feel motivated to learn and (b) are you happy with the social situation at their school (peer influences, bullying etc). If the answers to both of those is "yes", then I think you are okay where you are. If not, you have a problem to solve, but a Charter school may or may not be the best solution.
Hope this helps.
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Thank you Frossie, I think you have a unique perspective and I am glad you decided to give your input.
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thanks frossie for responding and damon for doing the quote thing ( i did not do my quote homework yet!)
i would like to add some positives about our public school experience so far..
for instance, Keaau Middle and High have a band program with a strong teacher...think
Mr. Holland's Opus local style...my daughter can now play some good flute..
and while she was at Keaau El she took chorus and was flown free to Oahu to sing with the symphony!!
she has a math teacher who uses fishing experiences that help the kids get the math concepts...her english teacher is just plain awesome...
just want to shed some positive light on the public schools here, as over the years i have noticed an increased paranoia and bashing that does not reflect our reality...
I was hoping some of those folks that were defending WOL/charter schools on that other thread would further enlighten those of us who are clueless to the differences of charter versus public...and Damon i don't buy the idea that there aren't people out there willing to comment based on how much input went into defending WOL recently.
