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

📣 A NEW CHAPTER FOR NĀ WAI OLA PCS! 💙🌊 WE’RE MOVING TO ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL IN HILO! 🌊Big things are happening at Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School, and we’re excited to share this next chapter with our school community! 🎉Our move to St. Joseph School in Hilo marks an exciting step forward as we continue growing our K–12 educational program, strengthening community partnerships, and creating meaningful, culture-based learning experiences for our haumāna.Grounded in ʻike Hawaiʻi, aloha, kuleana, and mālama, we look forward to building new opportunities for our keiki to learn, grow, and make a positive impact in our communities. 🌱GROWING OUR SCHOOL. STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY. BUILDING OUR FUTURE. 📢 WE’RE ALSO GROWING OUR TEAM!As we prepare for this exciting transition, we’re looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about education, our keiki, and serving our community.✨ Interested in joining the Nā Wai Ola ʻohana?📧 Send your cover letter and résumé to hr@nawaiolapcs.orgPlease help us spread the word! Share this announcement with your ʻohana, friends, and anyone who may be interested in joining our team.Mahalo nui for your continued support as we begin this exciting new chapter together! 💙#NāWaiOlaPCS #NewChapter #GrowingTogether #HiloHawaiʻi #HawaiianCultureBasedEducation #ProjectBasedLearning #K12Education #JoinOurʻOhana ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
All Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools and offices on Hawaiʻi Island will be closed Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25, while HIDOE schools and offices in Maui County will be closed Friday, Sept. 25, due to anticipated severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Nolo.All school-sponsored activities, athletics, extracurricular activities and other school events in the affected counties are canceled on their respective closure days.Public schools and Department offices on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi are scheduled to remain open at this time, subject to changing weather conditions.Families and employees are encouraged to monitor official weather updates and Department and school communications for any changes or additional announcements.Read more at hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-nolo/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
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
View on Facebook