Enrollment

Enrollment

Table of Contents

Our Mission

Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School’s staff, parents, and community are dedicated to the intellectual, personal, social, emotional, and physical growth of students. Our highly qualified and skilled staff recognizes the value of professional development to rigorously challenge students. Our teaching practices are grounded in Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions, and are reflective and responsive to the needs of our students. Through our Hawaiian-focused, project-based learning experiences and opportunities, our students discover their potential, achieve readiness for their life’s journey, and succeed in a safe and caring environment.

Our Vision

Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School’s vision is to educate and prepare students to be resilient, lifelong learners that will thrive globally with a strong identity and connection to Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiian culture.

Intention of Our Admission Process

All haumāna (students) and their ʻohana (families) who express a desire to attend and are willing to commit to the expressed values of our school are encouraged to apply for enrollment. Our Ka Wai ʻIhi Values, or collective values and actions, support the purpose, mission, and vision of Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School (NWOPCS).

All haumāna and their ʻohana are encouraged to be active, positive, and contributing members of the NWOPCS learning ʻohana. An expression of this commitment is made by all members of the NWOPCS ‘ohana before the start of every school year.

Steps to Admission

The admission process includes a written application and a school tour for new students and their parents. School tours are offered to interested students and their families. Attendance on one of the school tours is a requirement for admissions. These tours start during the spring and continue through the summer of the year prior to the incoming admission year. At the school tour, families are introduced to the mission and vision and informed of the commitment to the NWOPCS mission, vision, and values. Families are also given an opportunity to ask questions about the school.

Selection

Provided that there is sufficient space in the designated class/grade, all applicants will be invited to join the NWOPCS ʻohana. 

Should the number of applicants, per grade level, exceed the capacity of the same grade level, a public lottery will take place to fill the vacant spaces per grade level. 

Consistent with State Law, NWOPCS provides enrollment preferences to students who are enrolled at NWOPCS during the previous school year and to siblings of students already enrolled at NWOPCS.

NWOPCS also provides an enrollment preference for children of current full-time staff and governing board members provided that the number of students who utilizes this preference do not exceed 10% of the entire enrollment count.

New haumāna are enrolled annually as space permits. ʻOhana are informed of their acceptance status via letter. The projected notification date is mid-April. After the application deadline, new haumāna are considered if space is available and a second public lottery will take place during the summer. Those that are not admitted are placed on a waiting list that remains active through the end of the academic year.

Re-enrollment

Every spring, currently enrolled students need to submit an “Intent to Return” form in order to be re-admitted. New students are admitted annually as space permits. After the application deadline, new students are considered if space is available. Those that are not admitted are placed on a waiting list that remains active through the end of the academic year.

Latest News

Aloha e nā makua!If anyone is in a position to help and donate, please do so. Please continue to take care of yourselves, your ʻohana, and our communities. E mālama pono kākou!HIDOE's Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex Area Office is collecting donations for families and communities affected by Hurricane Lala. Donations of goods and supplies can be dropped off at 16-586 Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road in Kea‘au. Monetary donations can be made to vibranthawaii.org and hawaiiislandstrong.org. For more information, contact Jason Schafer at jason.schafer@k12.hi.us ... See MoreSee Less
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Aloha e nā ʻohana!Nā Wai Ola PCS will remain CLOSED on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.It was annouced this afternoon at the press confenece held by Mayor Alameda and Governor Green that due to the impacts caused by Hurricane Lala, ALL Schools, County, and State offices on Hawaiʻi island will remain closed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.We will continue to monitor the safety conditions and keep you informed as information becomes available. Please continue to take care of yourselves and your ʻohana during this time. Mahalo! ... See MoreSee Less
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Aloha nui e nā ʻohana!We hope you and your ʻohana are safe and well.We will be closed on Monday, August 17, 2026, due to the impacts of hurricane Lala.Our staff are doing their best to assess any damages, restore power, and coordinate clean up efforts to ensure that our school campus is safe for all of our students and staff to return.We will keep you informed as we complete these efforts and it is safe for our entire school community.Please remain vigilant and continue to take any necessary precautions. Mahalo!Following assessments of school campuses and surrounding community conditions, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) will keep public schools and offices closed statewide on Monday, Aug. 17.The additional closure will allow time to complete campus safety assessments, restore utilities where necessary and address storm-related impacts.The Department will continue working with county and state partners and will provide updates regarding Tuesday's operations as additional information becomes available.Previously announced extended closures on Hawai‘i Island for Nā‘ālehu Elementary and Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School remain in effect.Read more at: hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-hawaii-island-public-schools-open-friday/ ... See MoreSee Less
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