3 Maui Schools Get $15,000 Each for High Performance

Pōmaikaʻi Elementary School. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Three schools in Maui County received $15,000 each for achieving High Performance status in the 2013-2014 school year, the Department of Education announced.

Kilohana and Maunaloa Elementary on Molokaʻi, and Pōmaikaʻi Elementary on Maui were among 15 schools across the state that received the awards for achieving “Recognition” status as part of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education’s Strive HI Performance System.

The standing and awards were limited to schools that performed among the top 5% in the state.

The system was introduced in 2012 as an accountability and improvement system that measures student achievement, growth, chronic absenteeism, and other key indicators with a focus on college and career readiness.

Pōmaikaʻi School is now seven years old, and was established with an “arts-integrated, technology-supported curriculum.”

According to the school’s website, the facility works to “connect academics through 21st century skills through arts integration and technology.”

The other schools across the state that were included in the Strive HI awards are: E.B. DeSilva Elementary; Enchanted Lake Elementary; Hahaʻione Elementary; Helemano Elementary; Hickam Elementary; Hōkūlani Elementary; Kaʻelepulu Elementary; Kaumualiʻi Elementary; Mōkapu Elementary; Noelani Elementary; Puohala Elementary; and Waikiki Elementary.

“We are particularly excited to acknowledge this year’s Recognition Schools,” said Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe in a department press release. “Their success demonstrates what’s possible when an entire school community works together toward a common goal of student success. I congratulate all of the administrators, teachers, students and parents in these schools for their dedication and commitment to success.”