Classes are small but successful In a year of roped-off playground equipment and a tumultuous teacher strike throughout the state’s public schools, Kauai’s private schools have had a relatively smooth year. And with the end of it upon them, school
Classes are small but successful
In a year of roped-off playground equipment and a tumultuous teacher strike throughout the state’s public schools, Kauai’s private schools have had a relatively smooth year.
And with the end of it upon them, school administrators say the 2001 school year has been a time of growth and improvement.
“We’ve had a banner year,” said Island School principal Robert Springer. “It’s very exciting.”
Island’s six graduating seniors — a third of last year’s total — have garnered a sum of about $20,000 in scholarships and are headed to top universities and colleges across the country.
“We’ve really done pretty well on the whole on the college circuit,” Springer said.
A dozen graduates from St. Francis School who received their diplomas last week are destined for higher education as well, said Susan Akutagawa, assistant to the principal.
“All 12 are going on to further their higher education,” she said.
Akutagawa said the school staff puts in extra effort to help seniors find a career path or interest they can focus on in their pursuit for higher education.
“We’ve had students that had no direction of where they wanted to go,” she said. “But they’ve all found their ways and know where they’re going now.”
At Kula High and Intermediate School, “it’s been a wonderful year,” said principal Adah Askew, whose 13 graduating seniors took their senior trip to Whistler, Canada, right before spring break.
With afternoon electives such as surfboard shaping, yoga and marketing, Askew said Kula students receive a well-rounded education that prepares for a large number of post-graduation options.
“They will leave here with skills that are par excellence,” she said.
As interim principal at Kahili Adventist School, Charles Hanson said this year’s five graduating seniors have traveled to the mainland to scope out where they’ll be heading this fall for higher education.
With five new teachers and several successful community service projects, Hanson said this year at the school — which will hold its graduation ceremony June 9 at the Lawai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church — has been something to be proud of.
“Things have gone well,” he said.
Askew said this year’s seniors at Kula have an unusual bond with each other, which will likely last long after they head off to their various destinations.
“They just can’t seem to get enough of each other,” she said. “They’re quite an interesting group of youth.”
Although Kula is not a religious school, Askew said students and staff put an emphasis on “celebrating the spirit.”
“Kula is a community. Kula is a family. We stress the harmony that goes along with that,” she said of the school, which will hold its commencement ceremony Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Anini Beach Polo Field.
With the school waiting for final approval of plans for a media center on its 12-acre property, Askew said she has great hope for the school and looks forward to seeing how it grows and matures.
“I see each senior class being larger and larger each year,” she said.
Springer said Island School’s 277 students — the highest enrollment ever for the school — have benefited not only from recent opportunities such as spelling bees, but also from new soccer and football fields and renovations to a recently acquired building.
“We’ve had a plethora of activities that have gone really well,” he said.
Akutagawa said St. Francis’ emphasis on academics over athletics has led the students to excel in efforts such as mock trial, as well as participating in community events such as helping out the Kaua’i Food Bank.
“We’ve accepted that challenge and are ready to do it again,” she said.
Making the grade
As Kauai’s 12th-graders prepare for graduation
from high school, The Garden Island looks at
the hard work and positive attitude that help them in …
Tuesday — Kaua’i High
Wednesday — Waimea High
Thursday — Kapa’a High
Today — Kauai’s private schools
Saturday — Kaua’i Community School for Adults
Staff writer Matt Smylie can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 226) and mailto:msmylie@pulitzer.net
