KILAUEA — Kula High and Intermediate, which has served Kaua‘i’s North Shore and Eastside for the last 15 years, is closing its doors at the end of this school year. The rural nonprofit school’s principal, Paulette Phillips, sent an e-mail
KILAUEA — Kula High and Intermediate, which has served Kaua‘i’s North Shore and Eastside for the last 15 years, is closing its doors at the end of this school year.
The rural nonprofit school’s principal, Paulette Phillips, sent an e-mail to The Garden Island Friday evening announcing its closure.
“Low enrollment and ongoing deficits have challenged the school’s financial viability in this weakened economy,” the letter says.
Kula High and Intermediate, an educational institution accredited by both the Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, was established and built by a grassroots community effort that sought a viable high school on the North Shore.
Kula Intermediate and High, located at 4551 Kapuna Road in Kilauea, will mark its last graduating class in May. Kula’s ‘ohana will continue to recognize and celebrate the many successes in academics, arts, sports and community service achieved over the years, the letter says.
With this year’s senior class, Kula will see the completion of 11 high school graduations, giving numerous students a foundation of lifelong learning. Ninety percent of graduates have continued to colleges and universities close to home and around the world. Though graduates have favored attending the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa; University of San Diego; San Diego State University and University of California, Santa Cruz; students have also been accepted to many other respected schools including: University of California, Berkeley; University of Washington; Boston University; Swarthmore College; Columbia College in Chicago; University of Colorado, Boulder; Bryn Mawr College and many more.
Kula’s curriculum has focused on developing students’ understanding of many cultures’ perspectives rather than the traditional western perspective. Language arts and social studies classes are paired to embrace cross-curricular integration.
Additionally, students have participated and taken awards in writing contests such as the My Hawai‘i project, Shakespeare recitation contests and Poetry Out Loud contests. Student work has been published in anthologies of poetries.
Kula’s innovative marine science program, Ocean Pulse, in conjunction with Save Our Seas, allowed students to monitor coral reef quality and learn first-hand about the surrounding marine environment.
A unique and rotating elective program enhances the Kula curriculum through the support and talent from professionals from Kaua‘i’s community. Elective courses have included various visual and theater arts, dance, robotics, stained glass, stand-up paddling, yoga, agriculture and surfboard shaping.
The elective classes have helped Kula’s mission in nurturing the students’ intellect, creative, and physical talents. As so designated in 2007 by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the Kennedy Center Arts Alliance, Kula’s art program and application of arts across the curriculum has been one of its strengths.
Kula has also been innovative in offering a world view to students. Experiential learning has not just included on island fieldtrips to the Kaua‘i Hindu Monastery, performances at KCC, outdoor learning at Koke‘e’s Discovery Center and Limahuli Garden and Preserve, but inter-island and Mainland travel.
Students have had the opportunity to culminate experiential learning in the spring semester with trips to places including San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Canada, Italy, England, France, Greece, Turkey, Uruguay and Spain.
For a very small school, Kula made a valiant effort in KIF athletics, the letter continues. Kula has sent athletes to state competitions in canoe paddling, cross country, swimming, golf and tennis.
In 2005-2006, Kula won the KIF canoe paddling championship, placing 5th at states. In the same year, Kula was the recipient of the HMSA Kaimana Award. The award offers recognition on and off the field, honoring athletics, academics, sportsmanship and community service amongst athletes.
Kula Elementary, 4480 Ho‘okui Road in Kilauea, is expected to remain open.
Kula maintains its commitment to Kaua‘i with community service requirements for each student and an active, volunteer Interact Club. Club members have participated in ongoing projects including recycling, working closely with the Kaua‘i Foodbank and volunteering with Kaua‘i foster services to contribute to their annual holiday party. Students have also volunteered with Kaua‘i’s Habitat for Humanity.
“As Kula looks ahead to the closing of its doors, it commemorates its accomplishments. It has been the pleasure of Kula’s Board, faculty and staff to provide a nurturing educational environment to the over 300 families who benefited from its presence,” the letter says. “Kula would like to extend its deepest gratitude to past and present students, faculty, staff, parents and community members who have contributed to its success.”
On the Net: www.kula.org
