Kamaile Academy, Waimea Middle School Receive Accreditation
6-year Terms Recognize the Schools’ Continual Improvement
May 6, 2014
HONOLULU – Two public charter schools governed by the Ho’okako’o Corporation have received their first six-year terms of accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Kamaile Academy on O’ahu and Waimea Middle School (WMS) on Hawai’i Island were notified of the accreditation decision this week, said Dr. Megan McCorriston, Ho’okako’o’s executive director. Ho’okako’o’s third charter school, Kualapu’u School on Moloka’i, received its accreditation in 2013.
" Six-year terms represent full accreditation, and serve as a testament to the hard work of the students, staff, faculty and administrators who have been dedicated to our mission of school improvement,” said McCorriston. “As an organization committed to high quality public education for all students, most of whom are Native Hawaiian and socio-economically disadvantaged, this distinction has validated that we are on the path to success.
"Accreditation by WASC signifies that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning whose purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable learning program. The 29-months-long accreditation process begins with a self-study of each school’s strengths and challenges, and development of actions plans for continuing self-improvement. The process continues with site visits from a WASC Visiting Committee.
Accreditation reports for both schools included strong words of praise.
Kamaile’s administration, faculty and staff were commended for their work over the pastthree years to revitalize the school’s education program. The Visiting Committee noted that “theprogress made in a very short period of time is exemplary.
”WMS was lauded as a safe and caring school with strong student supports and familyand community involvement. The Visiting Committee also commended WMS’ dedicated team ofteachers for going above and beyond to fulfill the school’s mission of “empowering all studentswith the skills, values and cultural understanding to successfully navigate high school andbeyond.”
“This represents national recognition of the great work our teachers and staff are doinghere at Waimea Middle School. It validates the school’s academic and organizationaleffectiveness in delivering what’s best for students while also being committed to continuousimprovement,” said WMS Principal Matt Horne.
Said Kamaile Principal Emma Weiss: “We have been working extremely hard to moveour school forward, and to have this supported and validated by WASC makes all of our hardwork worth it. I am absolutely thrilled for our team and for our students and families!”
Both schools are also celebrating other important milestones. WMS last week receiveda nearly $10 million appropriation from the State Legislature for the construction of a 9-classroom Science and Technology building. Kamaile Academy will celebrate commencementfor its first graduating class on May 24, 2014.