Plugging Along with Smaller Learning Communities

The Smaller Learning Community Initiative at Kapa'a High School is in it's second full year of implementation with 50% of our students enrolled in Smaller Learning Communities.

Students from the Class of 2016 are enrolled in one of two Hui - Onipa'a or Ikaika. The two Hui place great emphasis on ensuring a smooth transition from middle school to high school. Study skills, leadership development and literacy are the primary foci in Grade 9.  Dedicated teams of teachers meet regularly to discuss student progress, plan interventions and develop joint curriculum plans. Tutoring, mentoring and student recognition programs have been systemized.

Following their successful Hui experience, the Class of 2015 are all enrolled in either the HOPES or IDEAS Academy. Our HOPES & IDEAS academies each have four pathways or strands for students to choose from:

HOPES - Academy Leaders (Kara Kitamura, Janis Gowan and Josh Owens)

• Health Services
• Publications & Graphic Design
• Education or Leadership
• Services: Culinary/Hospitality

 IDEAS - Academy Leaders (David Mireles, Brandon Fujita and Catherine Paleka)

• Industrial Engineering Technology: Building Construction or Auto
• Digital Media
• Entrepreneurship
• Arts: Visual or Performing

The focus of the academy in the 10th grade centers around building core knowledge in the academic subjects of English, Math, Science and Social Studies with the bulk of the academy experience taking place in their pathway/strand core class. The pathway core classes serve a multitude of purposes including:

• introducing students to the many careers related to their pathway
• providing an overview of history related to their pathway
• laying the foundation of important principles and content related to their pathway 
• emphasizing the importance of workplace readiness skills
• allowing students to apply their knowledge and connect it to their academic classes

Like the Hui teachers, academy teachers meet several times a week to discuss student progress, curriculum and instructional strategies. Particular emphasis is being placed on Literacy Development, Career Readiness and refining/aligning the Personal Transition Plan and the CTE Portfolios with our Academy structures.  Eleventh and 12th grade teachers also meet regularly to prepare for the expansion of the academies to 11th grade next year. Academy leaders receive support from the Smaller Learning Community Coordinator to ensure alignment within and across the three grades in each academy.