Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School

Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving the neighborhood of Kalihi. Our community consists of immigrant, low-socioeconomic, and middle class families with diverse ethnic backgrounds. The neighborhood is urban and reflects the socioeconomic challenges of a population with such diversity in an urban area. It is an industrial and residential area which includes fi ve public housing projects and many community agencies. The 26 acre campus opened its doors to students in 1936. This year marks our 86th year of excellence and service to the many students and families who donned the maroon and white.

 

The values of learning, integrity, teamwork, responsibility, respect, and serving are embedded in The Farrington Way which our students adhere to as students and graduates of our school. These values help us fulfill the state’s vision for a public school graduate and the General Learner Outcomes (GLOs) that challenge students to become self-directed learners, community contributors, complex thinkers, quality producers, effective communicators, and effective and ethical users of technology.

Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School transitioned into wall-to-wall college and career academies in the 2018-2019 school year. Our academies, collectively called the Academies of Farrington High School, consist of six smaller learning communities: Business, Creative Arts and Technology, Engineering, Health, Ke Ala Pono, and Public Service. The Academies of Farrington High School aims to produce graduates who are college, career, and life ready through rigorous, relevant, 
and engaging learning experiences in and out of our classrooms. In 2023, four of our academies - Creative Arts & Technology, Engineering, Health, & Public Service - were recognized as national certified MODEL academy by the National Career Academy Coalition’s (NCAC). Our Business Academy was recognized as a national certified academy by NCAC.

Farrington’s college going culture is thriving with a growing Advanced Placement (AP) and Early College programs. Students can select AP classes or take entry-level college courses taught by instructors from neighboring Honolulu Community College.

In addition, the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program supports students “in the middle” by sharpening their college-readiness skills. Two college and career counselors support students in their post-high school plans.

Alternative programs are also available for students who are not ready academically and socially for high school. The school also attends to the social emotional and health care needs of students with two social workers, two behavioral health specialists, and a Keiki Nurse Practitioner who can treat students as well as give physicals. Furthermore, the school offers a plethora of co-curricular and extra-curricular clubs and sports teams to meet students’ diverse abilities and needs.

Farrington has an active School Community Council and a supportive alumni group, the Farrington Alumni and Community Foundation, which is organized as a non-profit foundation. Current information about all school programs and activities is regularly updated on the school website: www.farringtonhighschool.org.