Academic Curriculum

Academic Curriculum

Table of Contents

About Our Academic Curriculum Program

Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School utilizes current and technologically-advanced academic programs as well as interactive supplemental resources to support student learning. In alliance with our Technology Program and being a 1:1 school, in which every student has an assigned Chromebook, all academic curriculum and supplemental resources provide both paper and online learning templates at our teachers’ discretion.  This allows our school to leave a positive impact on our environment as well as allows our students to practice their computational skills.

Throughout the years, our students have responded well to our academic program, therefore, ensuring consistent progress, improved confidence, opportunities for independent learning, and efficient growth data.  The programs and resources our teachers use assist our students in bridging any learning gaps, especially over the past two years with challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning. 

The academic curriculum that we utilize for compliance with our state core standards is through a PBL Design specifically aligned with Nā Wai Ola PCS’ mission and vision. In regards to English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, there is a daily curriculum combination of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Curriculum Associates. These programs provide all required resources for students to learn and apply their knowledge in a practical way. Along with our curriculum, we utilize multiple supplemental resources such as: i-Ready (for Diagnostic Assessments and MTSS), IXL (for Enrichment and MTSS – K-5) Generation Genius (for Enrichment – K-8), Lumos Learning (for SBAC Prep – 3-8), and more. Our educational staff delivers instruction with a project-based learning and hands-on learning approach, while integrating skills and knowledge of ʻIke Hawaiʻi, Mahi ʻAi, and Aloha ʻĀina in alignment with our mission and vision.

Our Expectations

Our General Expectations

As a small learning ʻohana, we all have the responsibility to mālama (care for) one another. NWOPCS is committed to promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, and social safety, health, welfare and fitness of our entire ʻohana (students, families, personnel). As such, the entire NWOPCS campus is a drug-free and smoke-free environment.

Our Academic Expectations
More than just values, traits, and attitude, the Naʻau Pono Values set a foundation for expectations. As we strive to build the whole learner, these values are to be applied to the classroom and overall learning environment.
As a student, you are expected to be engaged in your education. It is your responsibility to ask questions if you need help in understanding the course material, and to seek additional help if needed. It is also your kuleana to maintain satisfactory progress in each of your classes as well as keep up with the timely submission of all assignments. If you miss school for any reason, it is your kuleana to ask your teachers for any work that you might have missed.
Whether it is a regular school day or an offsite project day, you (the student) are to come to school in dress code and have all the necessary supplies for the day. This includes your computer, notebooks, class binder(s), pen/pencil, appropriate attire for hula and/or fieldwork, water bottle, etc. In addition to having all your supplies, you should be mentally focused on acquiring new learning(s) each day you attend school.
Homework should be the norm and not the exception, to include assignments over the Fall, Winter, and Spring breaks. Homework is not additional work, rather it should be understood as a tool to enable mastery of a particular content, skill or knowledge. Also, if a teacher assigns a project that is to be worked on over a reasonable period of time, it is understood that in-class time may not always be provided to work on the project.
Excessive stress, fatigue, and unhealthy habits can negatively interfere with your academic success. Be aware of how you are feeling, physically and mentally. If necessary, take advantage of the various supports the school has in a proactive manner to help you through your personal or academic difficulties.

Nā Wai Ola Learning Community Learner Outcomes

  1. Haumāna and mākua will demonstrate proficiency in three key areas of literacy: decoding/fluency, comprehension/making connections, and enjoyment of reading, writing, and oral communication. Haumāna and mākua will show they enjoy reading, understand what they read, question and react to what they read based on their unique mana‘o (thoughts), and share their mana‘o (thoughts) by talking story and writing.
  2. Haumāna and mākua will develop their skills in Hawaiian language, culture, performing arts and environmental stewardship. Haumāna and mākua will learn and practice Hawaiian culture (including ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language), hula (dance), oli (chant), and malama ‘āina (caring for the land) on a daily basis.
  3. Haumāna and mākua apply a variety of critical and creative research skills and technologies to address real world challenges in project-based learning.
  4. Haumāna and mākua accept kuleana (responsibility) for gaining knowledge, becoming increasingly self-motivated and self-monitoring. They are able to reflect on and apply their learning. By developing a practice of both independent and cooperative learning, they move toward individual and collective economic and political self-sufficiency.

What a haumāna learns becomes their kuleana to perpetuate and share in their life beyond school. Over time, they take more and more kuleana in caring for themselves, their ‘ohana, their ‘āina (land), and their lāhui (people).

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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