KILAUEA — After serving the North Shore community as a small, independent school for the past six years, this summer will be the last graduation for Kula Elementary students under that name, a news release states. It will be moving
KILAUEA — After serving the North Shore community as a small, independent school for the past six years, this summer will be the last graduation for Kula Elementary students under that name, a news release states.
It will be moving forward as Kaua‘i Pacific School.
Parents, teachers and board members have worked over the past year restructuring the school’s mission and core values. They have articulated plans in governance, finance, facilities, development, marketing and community relations to help fully realize the potential of the new school, including newly formulated plans for expanding the campus, the release says.
As The Garden Island reported Jan. 31, Kula High and Intermediate will be closing its doors in June.
Kula Elementary has been operating independently from Kula High and Intermediate over the past year. Kula Elementary is run by its own board members and administration but people are still confused and think that it’s one and the same school, the release states.
“We’d like to set the record straight as well as to let people know about the exciting changes and our future plans for Kaua‘i Pacific School,” Lisa Mireles, the school’s principal, said.
Kaua‘i Pacific School is focused on 21st century learning, raising global awareness and teaching environmental stewardship. The intention is to continue to offer a unique educational opportunity that prepares students to live intelligently, peacefully and sustainably within a rapidly changing global environment, the release states.
KPS intends to expand to include seventh through 12th grades.
Until KPS develops its new location, they intend to remain at 4480 Ho’okui Road in Kilauea. However, they are actively working toward securing a property for their future home, the release says.
It is planned that the new KPS campus will be designed with a tropical island style by Kaua‘i-based Bali Built, LLC. They intend to utilize natural and sustainable materials and incorporate indoor/outdoor classrooms, a solar kitchen, an organic vegetable garden and on-site waste management.
“The school will be built using sustainable building practices and will pursue LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council,” Bali Built owner Lani McLychok said. “We feel that a warm minimalistic atmosphere will aid students to feel calm and to concentrate on their studies.”
Call 828-1144 with questions and/or to visit the school. For more information, visit www.kauaipacific.org
