Iroquois Point Elementary School

Posted: September 21, 2023

I am incredibly disappointed. My child’s teacher is not a traditionally trained elementary educator and it shows. She is more like an auntie who is fed up with all these dang kids. She snaps at the students, she uses ableist language, she labels kids and lacks empathy and gentleness. I honestly think she would use physical “discipline” if it were allowed.

The kids can be unkind and make fun of others and nothing is done about it.

My kid is super bright and is working several grades ahead, but there has been no acknowledgment or attempt to meet them where they are. My child repeatedly says that they’re bored at school. I relayed this to their teacher and she immediately became defensive and took it personally. It’s boring because the material they’re working on was stuff my kid learned two years ago. They are WAY BEHIND. When my child complained to the teacher about this, she told him that he was just gonna have to do it anyway because the rest of the classroom didn’t already know it.

It is incredibly frustrating to see my bright child have their light dimmed so much. I’m not going to force them to endure a whole year of this.

Posted: September 21, 2023

Posted: September 21, 2023

Posted: September 21, 2023

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Posted: September 21, 2023

Posted: September 21, 2023

Posted: September 21, 2023

Posted: January 18, 2019

I feel that my son's homework assignments are well-balanced, given his learning style.

Posted: January 18, 2019

I would say that this elementary school has probably the quietest breakfast cafeterias I've ever been in - and been in a few! Students are EXPECTED to be respectful and staff are not afraid to remind them of it.

Posted: January 18, 2019

We moved here during my son's 4th grade school year; he started IES during his 3rd quarter, and I really liked his teacher, Mr. Pena. He's absolutely EXCELLENT. My son's teacher this year is also very hands-on with the students. Most importantly, my son likes both of those teachers, too!

Posted: January 18, 2019

I have had really good communications for my son's IEP since he transitioned to IES. They have been very personable and accommodating regarding some concerns I had in the beginning of that transition.

Posted: January 18, 2019

I know that there have been some bullying between students and even student-teacher as well; however, staff here have always been quick to respond to it right away.

Posted: January 18, 2019

I would say that Iroquois Elementary School is meeting the needs of my son's academic learning and development. He has been thriving since he's been here, and his peers and teachers have been supportive of him, consistently so. I appreciate all who have contributed to the school's positive mission and values.

Posted: January 7, 2019

There will be weeks where no homework is sent home. "Weekly" progress reports stopped at week three. I don't know what the specific homework policy for the school is, but I do know that they are supposed to have nightly homework.

Posted: January 7, 2019

From what I can see, teaching is left up to websites.

Posted: January 7, 2019

Posted: January 7, 2019

Posted: January 7, 2019

Posted: January 7, 2019

My daughter was told by her teacher essentially that she didn't have time to hear her bullying concerns.

Posted: January 7, 2019

Our family moved to Oahu over the summer and enrolled our 6th grader into IPES. We did our homework and picked an area to live that seemed to have better rated schools on the island. However, we quickly came to realize that even though IPES is rated above average by Hawaii standards, it falls far below average of mainland schools. Some examples; my daughter's 6th grade class began reading Because of Winn Dixie (a 3rd grade rated book) which is a book our daughter previously read with her 3rd grade class in San Diego, she spent the first semester relearning math that she learned in 5th grade. Assessments are only given by commuter, no running record. When our daughter was assessed on reading, her phonics came back as being at a kindergarten level. Assessments were given the first week of school and we weren't notified of this until two months into the school year at the parent teacher conference. When we were shocked by that considering her strongest subject is usually reading and writing, her teacher admitted that she had not looked at our daughter's previous year report card nor contacted us to inquire about why there may be very low assessment results. Another issue we had with the curriculum is that a lot is taught to the kids by outside websites. That is largely ok since learning is moving more tech savvy, but not all of the websites were age appropriate and had much too mature content for a 6th grader. I know that we are not the only family who was having issues with the school. Our neighbors also recently pulled their kids out and opted to home school. They also recently move here from the mainland. Granted, we have had a rough start to the school year, but if you do choose to enroll your kids here I highly recommend Makua, the Hawaiian Studies and Hula teacher. He has sparked a passion and joy of leaning Hawaiian culture in our daughter and I will always be grateful to him for that. As for us, we have moved our daughter mid-year to a private school before she fell too far behind...and now we see why private schools are so prevalent in Hawaii. Pun intended, lesson learned.

Posted: February 10, 2017

Posted: February 10, 2017

This school is a farce. If you have a child with even a mild learning disability I would look elsewhere. I will say that our experience is with 3rd grade and up (with multiple children) but do not let that fool you. Many teachers are moved to different grades each year. They only do what they are minimally required to do and many teachers my children had just seem to not really care. This attitude of complacency is throughout. As I look back on my children's experience at this school I can see that the good teachers left and those that remain behind are baseline at best. Yes there are exceptions to that rule, for instance, Mr. Kamiya who teaches fourth grade is a wonderful example of what a teacher should represent. The teacher helpers are often just as bad and have no idea how to help children with their work. One older woman (who seems to have no knowledge with working with children with learning disabilities) took it upon herself to help my child and what she did undermined everything my child had been working on. The only thing this school has going for it is its school schedule. It is not on a track schedule like the other schools in the area.

Posted: December 21, 2016

This school is a complete joke. A 7 really? Express your opinions to a teacher and you put a target on your child's back for the rest of the year. Everytime I have walked into the " Health Room" they are both doing nothing but playing on their phones and they acted as if I'm disturbing them.
Can't wait to pull my child got this poor excuse for a school

Posted: November 16, 2016

Posted: November 16, 2016

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Posted: April 23, 2014

I have been very happy with the experience my children and I have had at Iroquois Point. There was a hard transition when we got a new principal, Mrs. Reed. I feel that the vision she has for the school is great and she is really involved in making every kid feel like they count. There are a ton of opportunities to volunteer and help out the school. Both in the classroom and in the PTA. The staff in the office is not friendly but don't let that scare you away. The teachers are fantastic! The school has a strong after school program. My children dance in the Hula and we love it. We really feel like we are getting the "Hawaiian" experience. This school offers Hawaiian studies to all the grades. That is something you will not find in most of the local schools. I am also very happy with the IB program. My kids have learned so many extra things because of it. I would not hesitate to recommend this school to a friend and I am so happy that my children attend here.

Posted: December 2, 2013

Everyone in the community is happy with IPES and think that the students seem challenged, excited to go to school and they really like their teachers.

Posted: September 28, 2013

Never have I encountered a school that praises themselves for only achieving 68% of the students able to pass the State testing (and we all know how easy those tests are). This is a school of teachers and administrators that are more concerned with their own jobs/careers rather than even the basic welfare of the students. Federal and state laws are not upheld nor fulfilled and student safety is not a major concern to anyone. Monies are mismanaged and not accounted for and the ability for teachers and staff to even utilize proper English grammar and spell words correctly is a continuous challenge ... and you wonder why your child begins to make stupid mistakes. This is a school where parents concerns are only provided lip-service and never really addressed. But then again this is Hawaii. Many parents elect not to participate in the school or support the school simply since it is a complete mess in the way the school is administrated and the political favoritism that is propagated by the administration. Then they wonder why parental engagement is so low (but they refuse to look in the mirror).

Posted: July 9, 2013

Before moving to HI, I had always heard how awful the public schools in HI are. IPES is doing it's best to break that stereotype. It follows the International Baccalaureate program, the 1st public elementary school in the state to be accredited IB. They hold their staff and students to a high standard. The school welcomes volunteers and has an active PTA. I have 2 children at the school and couldn't be happier. The school has a long list of extras-: a band, an award winning robotics team, cheerleading, several sports teams, FREE after school tutoring assistance, etc. In May 2013, Honolulu Magazine ranked IPES 37th in the Best of the State school ranking feature article. I love that the school is half local/half relocated locals at heart. Several family events are held throughout the year. Many of my friends do not live in the area and have chosen IPES as their school. I look forward to the upcoming school year!

Posted: April 25, 2013

School is horribly rampant with favoritism, politics, and mismanagement with deserving students not getting recognition. Some teachers work hard and strive for success but are hampered by a staff that is ineffective and consistently makes bad choices and fails to do the right thing. Good ethics elude them. It is understandable that many of the teachers are searching for a new place to teach. This school would be amazing if the administration staff would just be fair and honest. Just my impression but I fear other parents that have children there feel the same after speaking to many of them. If your child attends school there make sure you hold the school to standard because they are very much a school that believes in "do as I say, not as I do". What poor role models.

Posted: November 21, 2011

My kids have been to 2 other schools in the Ewa Beach Area and this is by far the best school we have experienced. The facility may be old, but it is treated with care and respect as are the students who go here. The education is well rounded and is definitely representative of the IB curriculum. Parents are welcome to visit and volunteer and the communication between home and school is very good. I love the red folders that come home weekly- no sifting through homework folders for important papers! The fundraisers allow so many fun and educational field trip experiences and for classroom upgrades. If you want a quality education in a welcoming, safe environment in Ewa Beach- Iroquois has it.

Posted: June 26, 2011

I have worked in several schools throughout my college and teaching career, and I can say that Iroquois is the best. First, the staff is highly efficient and qualified. Each position here has been filled by experts. They are all very positive and supportive to each other and to our schools ohana. Second, the principal (Mrs. Armstrong) is amazing! She is very thoughtful, caring, available, and always appreciative of the teachers. She is very fair and genuinely cares about her job. She puts an emphasis on professional development which I really like. The curriculum was a big draw for me. We are a International Baccalaureate school, which means that our curriculum is unit based integrating as many subjects as possible. We also pride ourselves on guided experience, global thinking, action, and instilling proper attitudes for international mindedness. Through this curriculum we hope to develop well rounded students who have the skills to take on whatever they choose. Last, the families are very involved. The school has provided many fun opportunities for the families of our school. The teachers here provide many after school activities which are free or of low cost.