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About Kawaiahaʻo Church School

MISSION

Kawaiahaʻo Church School, is a Christian program whose mission is to provide children, their families and teachers with an appropriate Montessori educational experience emphasizing Hawaiian cultural values and language.

Kawaiahaʻo Church School, a Christian based Montessori program, is a non-profit educational institution owned and operated by Kawaiahaʻo Church Corporation.

The school operates 2 toddler classes (15 months old), 2 primary classes (3-6 years old) and 1 elementary class (1st to 5th grade). Kawaiahaʻo Church School admits all children regardless of race, color, nationality or religious background. In compliance with the Federal ADA law, our School accepts children with disabilities as long as the child's needs can be adequately met. Because of its location in downtown Honolulu, the School provides an important service to parents working in the area.

Kawaiahaʻo Church School is affiliated with the American Montessori Society, and serves as an internship site for students enrolled in the Montessori Teacher Training Program at Chaminade University of Honolulu, and as a practicum site for students enrolled in Honolulu Community College's Early Childhood Education Program. The School is licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Hawaii Council of Private Schools (HCPS).

Christian Education

Kawaiahaʻo Church School is an important part of the Christian Ministry of Kawaiahaʻo Church. The program assumes the responsibility of providing a rich experience in "living" Christianity through an atmosphere based on reverence for the worth and dignity of the individual child and a respect for the rights of others. Montessori's approach to education supports spiritual development in the classroom community and supplies the security, love and nurturing necessary to foster a meaningful and positive response to ife. Spiritual values and an awareness of God and His creations are nourished through daily ʻohana time with teachers, and developmentally appropriate activities and concrete experiences designed to promote the vision of our School:

The Montessori Philosophy

The Montessori approach to education is grounded in the belief that children have a dynamic inner desire to explore and learn about their environment. All children carry within themselves the person they will become. Developing the physical, intellectual, and spiritual potential to the fullest requires freedom — freedom achieved through order and self-discipline. A prepared and stimulating classroom environment allows children to learn at their own pace, according to their own capabilities in a non-competitive atmosphere.

Hawaiian Culture and Language

By embracing an educational philosophy that acknowledges a native perspective, Kawaiahaʻo Church School is furthering its broader vision of multilingualism, multiculturalism, educational excellence, and Montessori's focus on whole-child development. One of our School's three preschool classrooms is a dual Hawaiian language environment.

Programs

For in depth information on our programs please see our programs page.