Elementary School in Honolulu

Every child at Mid-Pacific Elementary School in O'ahu participates in a well-rounded curricular program that integrates thinking skills and core content areas with visual and musical arts, character education and physical education. Based on the notion of Reggio Emilia’s “Hundred Languages,” these content areas are “languages” of thinking and understanding the world. Supported by education theorist Howard Gardner’s notion of multiple intelligences, the school offers children multiple ways of expressing themselves, multiple ways of learning, and multiple opportunities for success.

The spirit of the Mid-Pacific Elementary School experience is rooted in a child-centered education program that focuses on the theme “Circle the World with Love” and its four aspects: love of God, love of self, love of others, and love of the global family. All grade levels participate in community service projects that are sometimes inspired by classroom inquiry projects, which are part of the curricular program – raising funds for disaster victims, collecting food for the hungry, and writing letters to seniors in the community.

Deeper Learning is student-centered, student-powered, and student-enacted. Studentsʻ questions, interests, and wonderings matter. The approach we use around inquiry from age 3 through grade 5 is all about planting the seeds for lifelong learning beyond college and career. Deeper Learning is practicing the skills to develop a sense of self (identity), for living a meaningful life, navigating challenges, understanding that their lives are always in relation to themselves, others, and the place in which they live. This approach to learning is for all ages -- children and adults. In Preschool and Elementary, we focus on essential competencies such a collaboration, problem-solving, effective communication, and self-directed learning.

The use of iPads, laptops and other portable devices is used as an instructional tool to support, extend and enrich learning. The former Epiphany School was the first elementary school in Hawai‘i to write and implement a Technology Vision Statement. Each student in the elementary (Kindergarten – Grade 5) receives an iPad equipped with a suite of apps and internet access to support and individualize learning needs. A tech specialist is assigned to work collaboratively with the elementary faculty, students and staff.

A low student/teacher ratio enables learning to broaden and deepen. In addition to same-age classrooms (Kindergarten and grade 5), Mid-Pacific Elementary School offers multiage learning (grades 1 – 2 and 3 – 4 combinations) as an educational strategy that promotes the development of a fuller range of a child’s cognitive and social skills.

The after school care program operates as an extended day from 2 – 5:30 p.m. Children engage in outdoor and indoor play where they continue to build social and cognitive skills with peers and enjoy a home-provided snack. A faculty member and trained supervisors oversee the children. The entire preschool program is licensed by the Department of Human Services as required by the State of Hawai‘i.

Nearly half of the elementary student population participate in the extended-day program, which runs until 5:30 p.m. Children do their homework and can participate in a variety of supervised games and activities. Several after school enrichment classes are offered through the Extended Learning Program. A whole variety of classes are offered including ballet, string ensemble, vocal ensemble, swimming, tennis, theatre, technology and more. Students may also play on the Mid-Pacific Christian Schools Athletic League (CSAL) volleyball and basketball teams.