Three Hawaii Island schools will receive between $20,000 and $95,000 for their achievement as part of the state’s new Strive HI Performance System, according to a Tuesday afternoon release from the state Department of Education.
Three Hawaii Island schools will receive between $20,000 and $95,000 for their achievement as part of the state’s new Strive HI Performance System, according to a Tuesday afternoon release from the state Department of Education.
Waters of Life Public Charter School joins two other schools across the state in the highest award category, earning $95,000 apiece as Hawaii’s highest performing schools that also showed the greatest improvement over past performance; E.B. de Silva Elementary was awarded $75,000 as one of the state’s nine highest performing schools; and Konawaena Elementary earned a $20,000 award for being one of the state’s two top schools showing the biggest jump in progress.
“These exemplary educators, staff, students and their families share a belief and commitment to always Strive HI,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie was quoted as saying in the release. “I applaud their resilience and dedication to provide the very best opportunities to all children.”
“We are excited to provide well-deserved recognition and support to help schools continue to excel in preparing students for college and careers,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “To get to this point is not easy. Yet these principals and teachers have shown what is possible through a unified effort, hard work and dedication.”
Strive HI, the state’s redesigned school accountability and performance system, measures key success indicators and provides rewards to “Recognition” schools – those demonstrating the highest progress toward raising student achievement, graduation rates, and closing the achievement gap.
Notably, more than half, or nine of the state’s 14 “Recognition” schools are Title I, meaning they overcame challenges associated with serving a large number of disadvantaged children from low-income families.
Award funds must support initiatives to sustain success such as professional development, investments in technology, musical instruments, science lab and equipment, among other improvement strategies. The 14 “Recognition” schools and their awards are:
Highest Performance and High Progress ($95,000 each)
• Ahuimanu Elementary
• Red Hill Elementary
• Waters of Life Public Charter School
Highest Performance ($75,000 each)
• E.B. de Silva Elementary
• Hickam Elementary
• Hokulani Elementary
• Lanakila Elementary
• Liholiho Elementary
• Manoa Elementary
• Maunaloa Elementary
• Palisades Elementary
• Pearl Ridge Elementary
Highest Progress ($20,000)
• Kalihi Uka Elementary
• Konawaena Elementary