WMS serves a diverse demographic of students.  While the average income of the region is 4% higher than the state average, family incomes at WMS lag significantly, with 68% of the children qualifying for free or reduced lunch. 

 

Ethnically, Waimea/Kamuela is a diverse area of primarily Caucasian and Asian residents, but the community also includes significant numbers of Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians.  WMS differs ethnically from the general population with students of Hawaiian/Part-Hawaiian ancestry making up nearly half (48%) of the school. 

 

WMS has a fairly high percent of students eligible for Special Education services (12%); 8% are English Language Learners, and 19% qualify for the Migrant Education Program. 

 

ACADEMIC STANDING

In Spring of 2013, the State of Hawai‛i adopted a new STRIVE HI educational accountability “tool” for Hawai‛i public schools to replace No Child Left Behind, which didn’t do students or schools justice.  STRIVE HI was crafted by a large number of educators – based on nationally proven best practices-to measure student and school achievement, individual student growth and “readiness,” and narrowing the achievement gap.  Put more simply, STRIVE HI gives students, families, teachers and school leaders a clearer picture of students’ academic progress: Are students learning?

 

WMS STRIVE HI score puts the school in the “Continuous Improvement” range along with about 75% of the schools in the state.  Most notably, our students are showing academic progress but more is needed and this has been and continues to be our schoolwide focus. 

 

AREAS OF EXCELLENCE

• A safe, nurturing school environment embedded with “I KAIR” Core Values of ‛Ike, Kaizen, Accountability, Integrity, Respect.   Also, all students are assigned to an Advisory class, take part in guidance lessons, and are provided opportunities to get involved with different clubs and extracurricular activities.  Taken together, these protocols and opportunities nurture mutual respect, trust, support, honest communication and positive relationships among students, faculty and staff.  

 

Responses from year-end Student and Family Surveys (2012-‘13), verify that:  

• When students were asked if they feel “Waimea Middle School is a safe and friendly place for learning,” 76% agreed/strongly agreed. 

• When students were asked if they “feel welcome at Waimea Middle School,” 80% agreed/strongly agreed. 

• When students were asked if they feel “proud to be a student of Waimea Middle School,” 80% agreed/strongly agreed. 

• When families were asked if they feel “Waimea Middle School is a safe place for learning,” 95% agreed/strongly agreed.  

• Rigorous, relevant and integrated hands-on, place-based lessons connecting Core Curriculum with ‘Ike Hawai’i and the Mala‛ai School Garden. 

• Steady academic growth by students over the past three years.

• Strong schoolwide family engagement policies and procedures including online grading with family access (51% of families average 1.3 logins per student per week).

• A wide array of Student Supports both during the school day and before and after-school. 

• Extensive community partnerships and community service.

• Financially accountable with annual audits and strict procurement, employment and conflict of interest policies.   

• Ongoing Teacher Professional Development around new Common Core Standards, use of data, embedded Instructional and Technology Coaches and new/integrated curriculum.

• Significant planning time for teacher teams which meet three times per week by grade level for Common Team Planning (CTP) with time set specifically to review student data, discuss specific student concerns and do curriculum planning.  A fourth CTP weekly provides time to discuss inclusion preparation for Special Ed in Science and Social Studies as well as for ‛Ike Hawai‛i lessons. 

• Annual Teacher and Administrator Evaluations. 

• College & Career Preparation and Dropout Prevention for high-risk students with a new “Connecting For Success” 3-year grant.

 

WHAT SETS US APART

• Teachers and staff genuinely care about students.  Faculty have deep roots and ties to the community – they care about this place and about what’s best for students and families.  They also are innovators and risk takers – willing to do the extra work to benefit students. 

 

• Meaningful ‛Ike Hawai‛i cultural connections and exciting learning experiences including an exceptional array of guest presenters.

 

• Re-introduction of an “Exploratory Wheel” Period that includes PE/Health, Art, Technology and/or Business and Practical Arts, plus an Enrichment or Intervention Period.  These are in keeping with The Middle School Model, intended to provide extra support, as needed, and also help adolescents recognize interests and develop individual goals and aspirations.

 

• A beautiful, productive organic learning garden created by and for students.

 

• Homework Help+ with free busing and snacks, and a new morning “Hot Chocolate Club” for tutoring support. 

 

• Athletics, Robotics, K(Arts), Student Leadership, 8th Grade East Coast Travelers – lots of free after-school activities that nurture friendships, trust, and respect.

 

• Consistent, effective internal and external communications including a Student Planner, face-to-face family meetings, events and conferences, a Tuesday Envelope, newsletters, news releases, website, Facebook, “School Connects” calls/emails home, etc., all to keep everyone informed and share student and school news and achievements.

 

• Student-Led Family Teacher Conferences and portfolios to support family understanding of, and involvement in student achievement and support College and Career readiness. 

 

• Low cost, easy-care student uniforms that also help ensure student safety. 

 

• A deep commitment to community service. 

 

 

Our Beliefs About Teaching And Learning At WMS:

• Student success is a responsibility shared by all stakeholders: students, families, teachers and staff, administrators and the community.

• All students are unique and deserve a rigorous, creative and nurturing school environment that encourages them to realize their individual goals and aspirations as they move through the formative middle school years.

• Students benefit from learning opportunities that are culturally relevant and encourage appreciation and respect for diversity.

• It is the school’s shared responsibility to develop students’ critical thinking skills necessary for success in the 21st century. 

• Quality curriculum and instruction, as well as ongoing assessment, are critical elements for student success. 

School Wide Learning Results: 

 

With our focus on educating the whole child, Waimea Middle School seeks to ensure that our students become competent learners who embody our core values of:

 

I          ‛IKE

• Recognize and produce quality work

• Demonstrate developmental competence in academics

• Communicate effectively

• Understand and appreciate culture

 

K        KAIZEN

• Demonstrate continued academic growth

• Use complex thinking and problem-solving skills

• Develop personal strengths and interests

 

A         ACCOUNTABILITY

• Set priorities and establish achievable goals for one’s own learning

• Plan and manage time and resources to achieve goals

• Monitor progress and evaluate learning experiences

• Utilize technology effectively and ethically

 

I           INTEGRITY

• Understand and follow rules and codes of conduct

• Demonstrate responsible and ethical behavior

• Develop habits that are individually and environmentally responsible                

 

R         RESPECT

• Respect similarities and differences in others

• Respond to cultural differences with understanding, knowledge, and consideration

• Serve others and the community

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‛Ike - Knowledge:  To see, feel, know, experience, understand

 

Kaizen:  Trying every day to be better than the day before