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John Melton • Matt Lawrence • Sandra Brace
Waikiki Elementary School
Hawaii • United States of America
The Waikiki School Story 8.4% receive special education services. 40% of our
students live in single-parent homes. Despite the
Waikiki Elementary, ‘Our Mindful School’, is a small intensity of student needs, our school continues to
visionary school located at the foot of the mighty exceed all national and state standards, and makes
Diamond Head crater on the island of Oahu. Opened in consistent yearly gains. Indeed, Waikiki has been
1965, Waikiki Elementary was one of the first schools recognized as a Hawaii Distinguished School, attaining
in Hawaii to become a School Community Based adequate yearly progress (AYP) each year since the
Management (SCBM) school which actively involved inception of this award. We have consistently been
principal, teachers, parents, students, and community rated in “Good Standing – Unconditional” under the No
in school governance. About 16 years ago, a retreat Child Left Behind Act and have consistently made the
was convened to develop a vision for an ideal school. State’s Stanford Achievement Test Honor Roll. This
Business people, Department of Education personnel, past spring, Waikiki School was ranked sixth of 259
parents, teachers and university professors collaborated schools in Honolulu Magazine’s survey of Hawaii’s Best
on a vision that Waikiki would evolve into a mindful Schools, and has been nominated one of three schools
school where thinking, collaboration and thoughtfulness in the state of Hawaii for National NCLB Blue Ribbon
would be nurtured and practiced. This marked the birth recognition.
of our ‘mindful school’. This original vision and early
reform began as a grass-roots initiative, and continues In addition to state and national standardized testing,
to thrive today because it has remained so. Our Vision, Waikiki School students are prepared to perform
Mission, and Beliefs have remained consistent. well on the tests of life. Teachers and staff and
administration model the skills and behaviors they want
Vision: To be a safe, vibrant, nurturing environment that to see developed in their students, and the result is a
encourages lifelong learning. dynamic learning community in which all participants
Mission Statements… are challenged to become ever more mindful and
thoughtful learners to support the collective efforts of
a. We encourage our school and community to work the school. The integration of Habits of Mind within
together. the curriculum results in a unification of purpose
that promotes an environment that both honors and
b. We provide a strong foundation that respects the
contributions and uniqueness of each individual. challenges the intellect of all. By caring for and learning
from one another, all members of the learning community
c. We work together to develop positive self-esteem, (teachers, community, parents, students, staff alike) are
well-being, and desire for active lifelong learning. encouraged to grow in the school culture and integrate
learning into daily practice.
Belief Statements: To be an environment where… The Waikiki School is deeply committed to maintaining
an ever more effective ‘mindful’ learning community
a. instead of seeking power we seek to empower where compassion, competence and harmony of
others. the heart and mind are nurtured. Our intention is to
b. instead of controlling people we seek to enhance continue to provide the finest in cutting edge education
creativity and free the intellect. for our community, and produce graduates who are well
prepared to become productive, ethical participants in
c. instead of uniformity of practice we seek to evolve a the world of tomorrow.
collective vision of excellence.
Waikiki School serves 371 students from kindergarten Overcoming Challenges
through grade six. Over fifty percent of students live The Waikiki School’s commitment to its vision has
outside the school’s boundaries and attend by choice. successfully withstood many challenges, and has
Its draw is attributed to a unique curriculum that couples continued to evolve despite the transition of 3 principals
instruction in the Hawaii State Content Standards with
instruction in the Habits of Mind. The infusion of this and the retirement of three quarters of the original staff.
pervasive model within standards-based instruction It is the strength of the school’s culture which has made
these transitions seamless.
defines the strength of Waikiki School.
Our first ‘mindful’ principal, Doris Choi, connected the
40% of Waikiki School’s student population qualifies
for the free/reduced lunch program, 26% are “English founding group with Dr. Costa and spearheaded the
original grants which provided the resources and monies
Language Learners” receiving (ELL) assistance, and
needed to provide Habits of Mind staff development. She
Australian National Schools Network and Learning Network New Zealand • 31