Waiau Elementary School

Posted: January 3, 2016

Not sure why the rating on this site is so low. Honolulu Magazine rates it higher. For 2015, it was ranked 50th out of 255 other elementary schools in the state.

As a parent, I've also been impressed with this school. My daughter excels academically, and each year her teachers have put together resources to be able to challenge her with curriculum from higher grades.

I've also been impressed with the focus on the school to get parent involvement in improving the school and bettering how the kids learn. That's how it's done when it's done right.

Beyond academics, the school is also well-known for its great and thorough set of extra curricular activities. So, overall I've found that this school provides a well-rounded and academically sound education and I've been very happy with it!

Posted: December 23, 2015

Posted: December 23, 2015

Posted: December 23, 2015

Posted: May 30, 2015

You cannot speak for each individual but for the most part they strive to be all of these things from what we have seen in the past 7 years of each of children's attendance.

Posted: May 30, 2015

I'm not sure why this school is only ranked a 5 but it should be closer to 10. All 3 of my children have attended Waiau since Kindergarten and I'm so thankful God moved us to this neighborhood so they could attend Waiau elementary. My oldest was advanced and the teachers from her grade worked with the next grade teachers to create a curriculum more challenging for her specific needs. She got into Kamehameha Schools in 4th grade with 97 percentile scores. Our 2 younger ones attended through 3rd and 2nd grade but we have to move windward for family reasons. We are so sad because Waiau has staff who really care about our keiki, lots of family oriented activities, field trips, they even set funds aside to keep music, pe, art classes and even have a violin and choir group. They also have Hawaiian Immersion and the new tests had affected the schools scoring results but the teachers got on it quickly to help revise the tests with accurate 'olelo hawai'i for the next school year testing. We know test scores are not the only way to asses a school by. We even considered driving early to bring them to Waiau but we will will be too far and traffic is not getting any better towards the west side. It can be difficult for teachers when parent involvement in academics is not held accountable at home due to so many families needing to work to make ends meet. Parents and teachers working together help students thrive best. We will truly miss Waiau elementary and highly recommend anyone who lives in the district to see for yourself. We are grateful to all the Waiau staff for their heart and commitment to all of the students and families there.

Posted: May 28, 2014

Wonderful, caring school!! People need to stop judging schools by Honolulu Magazine ranking (which is so biased) and see schools for what they offer and the efforts being taken to educate the whole child. Waiau has excellent teachers that challenge students academically AND also offer an incredible amount of extra curricular opportunities that my kids have taken advantage of. They offer chorus, track, violin, robotics, media club, book club... and probably more! I'm so glad that I chose Waiau for my children!!

Posted: May 27, 2014

I have four children and my older three have or do go to Waiau. My youngest will be in kindergarten in August. I absolutely love this school. Each of my keiki has found success here. My oldest attended Waiau from 4th -6th grade and just got into Kamehameha next year, for 9th grade. My middle child went to Waiau from K-3 and got into Kamehameha for 4th grade. My second to the youngest is currently in 1st grade and is making tremendous gains. I have invested a lot of time and energy, to make sure that my keiki are doing well in school. It is just as much the teacher's responsibility, as it is the parent's, to stay involved in a child's learning. Waiau has many wonderful, highly qualified teachers. I love Waiau!

Posted: January 31, 2014

Caring teachers and staff that focus on the whole child--music, chorus, violin, ukulele, PE, track, basketball, technology, robotics, ELL tutoring, enrichment, aqua phonics, hawaiian language, kupuna classes, student council. My child loved this school and learned so much more than basics.

Posted: June 23, 2013

The school has been awesome for my child. He has excelled!!! His teacher have keep me well informed. People here you have to understand that your involvement is need as well. His teacher, the staff all know me by name but thats because i took a interest in my child education. I am a single parent work full time and with plenty of extra duties, (Church/sports). We our childs first teacher. I love Waiau!!!

Posted: January 1, 2013

Very unfriendly office staff, and poor communication from teachers and office staff. In the process of improving curriculum due to low scores, but poor student support.

Posted: July 26, 2011

GREAT SCHOOL!!! High education as a kinder. My kids are leaning a lot from this school,not only study but music, art, life experiense etc... I am so happy about Waiau. Even though Waiau was not great rating but I bet this school improved their education level. I would rate 10 of 8-9.

Posted: February 3, 2011

Waiau has a good grasp of what kids need in the real world. Teachers push my kids to do better then even they think they can. They have music, PE, violin, robotics, a track team and many other learning opportunities. The staff is warm and helpful and respond quickly to concerns.

Posted: May 26, 2009