Kapolei Middle School

As a former student of Mauka Lani I will go through the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. Overall, Mauka Lani has been a very pleasant school. The teachers are friendly and take time to know the students. Although, if there are interruptions, they tend to stop class and give a full-on lecture. I understand they expect kids to listen, but majority of the subjects aren't entertaining enough to keep them focused. The school is good in discipline, and takes time to help kids who aren't as proficient as other students. They, tend to bring kids who are struggling in a subject into a little room with other students to go over the subjects at their own pace. I think the school has been a positive experience for me. (Please note that I haven't been to this school in 4 years. Therefore, my experience may be inaccurate to how they teach to this day.)

Two of my children attended Ewa Elementary School. One went in 5th grade and one went for 1st and 2nd. I couldn’t have asked for a better elementary school. The staff are always welcoming in the front office. When I needed to register the children they helped me finish all of the paperwork. Ms. Samson taught 5th grade and was so engaging with the students and with the parents. In addition, Ms. Ogata is a wonderful and caring 2nd grade teacher! They use Seesaw app so the communication is always available. I get daily updates and daily videos where I can hear my child read and answer questions! Ewa Elementary goes above and beyond!

Leadership (mainly the principal) has caused many teachers and staff to leave the school. When I started, there had already been 2 years of faculty changes. After I left, there had been more. The faculty is pretty much all new except for a few dedicated teachers who have been working there a long time. That is not to say these new teachers are bad, but they are inexperienced—either in the field and/or teaching in this community. So there is a lot of uncertainty among the school as a whole. The principal does not support the faculty and staff as she should. She is a major micromanager. And everyone decides to leave and not say anything because they fear retaliation. So she continues on to say, “so-and-so had no complaints about me, so I must be fine.” The school has gone through a lot of review with HSTA. I don’t know where they are in the process right now, but when I was there last, things were not good. But the principal somehow keeps sticking around. It was very hard leaving the school and the students behind in what I knew was a toxic environment, but I had to do what was best for me. As did so many other awesome, hardworking teachers and staff who have left by now. These students and their families deserve so much better.

My son attended this school and it truly was the worst experience we have ever had with an Elementary School! Not only was he bullied and the staff did nothing about it, he was also punched, hit, pushed around, belittled, and name called...the school did nothing! They would neglect to notify me of anything until after my child came home from school, so around 4:30pm in the evening. They would give me some nonsense reason as to what happened, then they facilitated an apology and dismiss the kids back to class with no follow through on their actions. I also felt his academics were broadly overlooked and neglected until I took it to review with the administration and only then did something finally happen. There is a lack of extracurricular activities such as P.E., music or an art class. Also, the kids are not allowed to run around the playground at recess! I have never been more disappointed with a school than this one.