Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School

Posted: February 1, 2025

Posted: February 1, 2025

Posted: February 1, 2025

Posted: February 1, 2025

Our children connected with their teachers immediately and our family appreciated the community events and participated in the Amazing Shake and VEX competitions.

Posted: February 1, 2025

Posted: February 1, 2025

Posted: February 1, 2025

Posted: February 1, 2025

Posted: August 26, 2024

Posted: August 26, 2024

Posted: August 26, 2024

Posted: August 26, 2024

There is a reason why the state test results are better than good and why the class sizes here are bigger than other schools; that means parents and students see the value and relevance of this school to their lives. The teachers do care about their students although some parents can’t appreciate that. My child has wonderful time spending her elementary years here and how we wish she could complete the elementary level but it’s time for us to go. My daughter joined extra curriculars that the school provided and allowed and from that she got recognitions - simple and big ones! While all schools should be thanked for the work they do ( that we, parents can not, otherwise we would home school our own children) , PHKAI is one of the best Elementary Schools in the district.

Posted: August 26, 2024

Posted: August 26, 2024

Posted: August 26, 2024

Posted: August 26, 2024

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: August 2, 2024

Our daughter attended PHK for two years. She struggled both academically and socially. Bullying is rampant, and the staff tends to look the other way if the bullying comes from a student they favor. I noticed that many staff members (teachers, class assistants, etc.) are parents with kids at the school. This created a significant issue with obvious favoritism towards certain students. Last year, our daughter's teacher repeatedly chose her own daughter and her daughter's best friend as Student of the Quarter.

If you want your child to be treated well and celebrated at PHK, it might help to get a job there. The school promotes a "Choose Love" initiative and has the tagline "At the Kai, we care," but these efforts seem mostly for show and do not genuinely integrate into the classrooms or school culture, unless, of course, they are one of the chosen few. Some teachers are wonderful, unbiased, and dedicated, but even the best are constrained by limited funding, laidback leadership, and a cliquish culture.

My daughter's teacher was frequently absent, which led to issues with routine and communication due to frequent substitutes. By the end of the year, my daughter came home with a lot of half-finished work. Her explanation was, "We didn't have time, Mom." I wish they had sent some of this work home or communicated with my spouse and me during the parent-teacher meetings. I would have gladly worked on these things with my daughter to help her avoid falling behind. According to my daughter, no one finished these assignments, so it seems it was a classwide issue. She passed state standards so there was no concern from the school that she didn't complete work.

If you’re lucky, you might get one of the great teachers or your child might be favored. If not, you might regret your decision to send your child there. Personally, I would recommend considering another school.

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: August 2, 2024

Posted: August 9, 2023

Posted: August 9, 2023

Stay away from this school. Your experience with the school largely depends on what kind of teacher you get and although there are a few wonderful teachers there, there are also a few yelling teachers that are notorious to the community. School does nothing to provide safe learning place for the students in that notorious teacher's classroom. Many family left this school after having some traumatic experience with the teacher to home school, or switch to private school. The only way to secure your children a safe, non-yelling, learning environment is to pay for private school? So frustrating and inconvenient.

Posted: August 9, 2023

Posted: August 9, 2023

Posted: August 9, 2023

Posted: August 9, 2023

Posted: July 30, 2023

Posted: July 30, 2023

Posted: July 30, 2023

Having gone from a year at PHK to a top-rated east coast school, the difference is stark. I always thought ratings really didn’t mean anything, but they do. My daughter’s teacher at PHK was okay, homework was insane, anyone can walk onto the campus, and there was zero connection to the school. I will say drop off and pick up was easy and those staff members were friendly. But my daughter disliked school and thought it meant hours of packets at home until coming to our new school in Virginia, where the teachers are like partners, no homework (except the random fun at home project), and the school is secured. Oh and buses are free here! And my now two elementary age daughters are crushing their testing. It sucks because we miss Hawaii, but I’d feel like the education would be a downgrade.

Posted: July 30, 2023

Posted: July 30, 2023

Posted: July 30, 2023

Posted: July 30, 2023

Posted: July 29, 2022

Posted: July 29, 2022

Posted: July 29, 2022

My husband and I were shopping around for schools in the district and came across PHK. In the two instances that we dealt with their front office personnel, we immediately decided this isn’t the school for us. The front office staff were rude and unhelpful. When we called a week later to follow up on some paperwork, they claimed to not have received anything. Shame on you all.

Posted: July 29, 2022

Posted: July 29, 2022

Posted: July 29, 2022

Posted: July 29, 2022

Posted: July 29, 2022

Posted: August 3, 2021

Our child joined PHK as a kindergartner and has just started second grade. What makes this school stand apart from the others is the excellent staff and support each student receives. We love the Choose Love Movement and the focus on socio-emotional development. Communication between school and parents is easy. Our child has excelled in reading and math skills. The music and PE teacher rotates between classes and have managed to connect with our child inspiring their love for both. Prior to COVID there were a lot more events during the holidays, hopefully some of those can return in the future. They are doing a great job keeping children safe. We have nothing but good things to share about PHK.

Posted: August 3, 2021

Posted: August 3, 2021

Posted: August 3, 2021

Posted: August 3, 2021

Posted: August 3, 2021

Posted: August 3, 2021

Posted: August 3, 2021

Posted: February 13, 2020

Nothing but the highest recommendation for this school, it’s teacher and leadership.

Posted: February 13, 2020

Posted: February 13, 2020

We have loved each and every teacher my two children have had at this school

Posted: February 13, 2020

Posted: February 13, 2020

Posted: February 13, 2020

Posted: February 13, 2020

Posted: March 15, 2018

I'm all for homework; however, some grades have more than others. I don't believe children should have three hours of homework per night AND homework on weekends and breaks.

Posted: March 15, 2018

As is the case at all schools, some teachers are effective, some are not.

Posted: March 15, 2018

It's up to parents to reinforce this at home, but the school attemt to develop strong character in students.

Posted: March 15, 2018

The principal is almost non-existent. The Vice Principal could be more polished and professional, and less overbearing.

Posted: March 15, 2018

The school does it's best to accommodate students with learning disabilities.

Posted: March 15, 2018

Some kids are bullied and/or excluded and nothing is done about it.

Posted: March 15, 2018

Serving a predominantly military population, I expect professionalism and courtesy from school staff. Teachers openly discuss their displeasure with their jobs, refusing to stay for meetings on early release days, complaining about working after school hours to accommodate a parent & an IEP, openly questioning whether they will return to the school the following year. Staff aren't very supportive of students. Parent support is also lacking. PTO meetings consist of the same 6 parents.

CLOMP (Computers, Library, Other, Music & PE) is every other week maybe, which is unacceptable. The Hawaiiana teacher retired, no more Hawaiiana. A PE teacher isn't a requirement for movement. Students should have some form of physical activity daily to concentrate in the classroom.

Air conditioners. I do hope the funding comes through soon!

I appreciate the school sports: volleyball, basketball, and track; however, the process should be official with mandatory tryouts and teams announced.

Posted: December 19, 2013

Well, unfortunately what you read about Hawaii public schools are true, and PHK is no different. This has to be one of the worst schools my kids have EVER attended. To start off, there is no security in place on campus. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can freely walk onto the abundance of unsecured entries on campus, no questions asked. What irks me the most about this school is that its apparent that they are just marking off their to-do list of academic goals to reach for the year, regardless of how much or how little your student is understanding. My daughter had one of the "nicest" 5th grade teachers. Sure she's nice, but she easily let her slip right on through the cracks of the school system. My daughter is assigned 5-9 pages of just math homework a night. Her teacher has the students correct their work in class on their own, never to see the homework herself again until test day. Then when it came time for tests, that was the only time the teacher discovered how much she didn't understand. Too little, too late and once again, they just moved on to the next chapter never to touch upon the methods she just failed. No child left behind? PLEASE!!! This school is a joke!

Posted: September 6, 2013

I have so far been very impressed with this school. First, I am always greeted with a smile when going into the front office. Everyone in there is extremely nice and helpful. When I was a kid, each class had 1 teacher to 20-25 students. There were no volunteers or helpers. At PHK, there are many helpers everywhere! The extra hands do so much for these kids. I also love that they let the kids help out as crossing guards (they pay them!) and they let them help out in the cafeteria. I saw one comment where they complained that volunteers didn't have food licenses...I don't know about that, but they wear plastic over their hair and they wear gloves. I love that the kids have a hand in helping the school run. Everyone working together. I went to eat lunch with my son one day and I love the food they serve! I think it is so much better (and healthier) than the cafeteria lunches I had as a kid. There are always going to be "better" schools, not everyone will be happy with this school. It is a very safe school, imo. They take measures to ensure the safety of the kids (why I love all of the volunteers).

Posted: September 6, 2013

There are positive and negative aspects of this school (as with most schools). Overall I think the positive outweighs negative. The teachers here have been wonderful! Very caring and focused on the children. The school does not have art class and the 'specials' (PE, music, library and computer) are all done on one day, rotating every eight days.

Posted: July 21, 2013

Lots of military kids go here so the support is great for parents who are active duty. Teachers are great, attentive and concerned for the kids. I've also witnessed many over the top parents who criticize without putting forth effort themselves. I never feel that school alone is enough, I also follow up at home and ensure my child knows what he is doing. Teachers have a huge issue with rude and disrespectful children. While parents often take the side of their children without knowing the negative behaviors of their child, the true problems begins at home and if parents can't control their children how can teachers or staff? My children are very obedient and know they are at school to learn. I don't blame the teachers for focusing on only those who want to learn, they don't have time to deal with delinquents whose parents don't give enough hoot to get their kid on track.

Posted: January 15, 2013

I have two children attending PHK. Both teachers we have are very caring. My youngest son really loves his teacher and seems to be really liking school more than he did with preschool. My oldest makes really good grades and wants to learn. I think parents need to take responsibility for their children's education also. We work together on homework daily and make sure to read at home. This school has been very good to both of my kids this year.

Posted: October 8, 2012

We are a military family. My child attended PHK for 2 yrs (K and 1st grade from 2010-2012). I was never impressed with this school. I checked out nearby private schools because of my dissatisfaction with PHK, but the tuition was more than we could afford. We moved to Virginia Beach, VA overy summer 2012. I had no idea what LOW quality teaching my child was getting at PHK, until my child started public school in VA. My child was student of the quarter at PHK, & got ALL above ave. grades at PHK. I THOUGHT my child was receiving a satisfactory education. I was terribly wrong! Within the 1st 2 wks of school in VA, my child's teacher notified me that my child is reading BELOW grade level & will need extra help. I am grateful for the extra help, but I am SO ANGRY that my child is behind in school and needs to "catch up" because of poor quality teaching at PHK, and I beleive in most public schools in HI. My child tells me regularly how much more she likes school here, & how her teacher is nicer because she doesn't "yell" like her PHK teacher did. The curriculum appears to be the same in both places; but the VA teacher "teaches", & doesn't just drill mindlessly.

Posted: August 17, 2011

This school is awful. My child only attended a single semester at this school and when they re-zoned I was thrilled. I was given an out for my child without having to apply for a GE. The teacher my child had was devoid of any nurturing instinct and repeatedly yelled during instruction. My child completely regressed after entering this school. Since the new year, and new school has come, we are finally excited about school again.

Posted: July 16, 2011

Reading the latest comments about this school does not do this school justice. Personally I think those rude comments are written by a few who just want to make waves. If you have any issues or problems with any school you need to bring it to their attention so improvements can happen. If you only grumble, you cannot help the situation for your child. Isn't the bottom line your child? It is for me. I get involved and attend Coffee Hours when I can, communicate often and clearly with my teachers and ask even the "silliest" questions for clarification. Every school will have their stumbling blocks and adjustments when there is new administration. Having the vice principal step up to be the principal provides some continuity to the school and my understanding is that the temporary vice principal step forward to help because no one else did. This school shows commitment to the children and I support them 100%. Like I mentioned earlier, get involved with your child's education so you too can understand the school system in Hawaii. It isn't as bad as our friends tell us before we get to Hawaii. They actually do care!

Posted: May 24, 2011

If I could give a negative rating, I would! Everything about this school is awful!!!! Be prepared to work with not only incompetent, unqualified (meaning teachers "teaching" without so much as an Associates degree!) and flat out rude people (VICE PRINCIPAL & SECRETARIES!). This new principal does not know what he is doing, nor does he know how to resolve any legitimate complaint made by a parent. Mainland military families be prepared for an outrageous amount of fundraisers and an insanely long school supply list! Yeah, the uniforms are a plus, but do yourself a favor and avoid this train wreck of a school!!!!

Posted: December 6, 2010

My oldest graduated in 2008 and now we are looking at Kindergarten. I just read the rating and it went down to a #6 from when we left in 2008 I think it was a #8 or 9. I see that the 6th graders performance took a nose dive as well with the new leadership. I do recall that the current principal was the assistant back then, and a really pleasant person. The current assistant principal was some sort of clerk in the front office back in 2008 and as I recall caused a lot of stress where ever she appeared, so reading one parents comment on the stressed teachers, i can relate. I think we are going to use a GE and try Moanalua Elementary another school in the military complex area. Good luck to this school, I hope they catch themselves before it gets worse. To be fair, a school is always just as good as the community makes it.