Farrington High School School Improvement Status

Summary of Progress

In 2018, Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School (FHS) transitioned into a wall-to-wall academy school. The Health Academy was the first to achieve Model Academy certification from the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC). By 2023, four additional academies—Creative Arts & Technology, Engineering, Health, and Public Service— attained Model status, with the Business Academy receiving Certified status. The Ke Ala Pono Academy was established to ensure equitable access to college and career experiences for students in special education. The Academies of FHS aim to prepare graduates who are college, career, and life-ready through rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning both in and out of the classroom. Each academy offers multiple pathways of study, with new pathways continually developed based on student choice and voice. 

Incoming freshmen are introduced to the academies during middle school through videos, flyers, and panel presentations by academy ambassadors. They visit FHS to explore the pathways offered by each academy. FHS collaborates with feeder middle schools to host a parent night where parents can also learn about the academies. These activities assist students in selecting the academy that best suits them, supported by their teachers and advisers. 

The academies have built enduring partnerships with industry and post-secondary institutions to offer relevant college and career experiences to students. These partnerships provide real-world opportunities such as resume feedback, interview practice, job shadowing, and direct pathways to employment after graduation. Supported by GEAR UP, students engage in multiple college visits to explore campuses and degree programs. These partnerships have enriched FHS's College and Career fairs, benefiting all students. 

During the 2023-2024 school year, FHS hosted an NCAC Insight Onsite visit as a Model Academy school. Educators statewide participated in sessions highlighting each academy's growth and success. Topics covered included Authentic Assessments and Audiences, Building Academy Culture, Leveraging Business Partnerships, and Student Ambassadors. Students also demonstrated their academy learning, showcasing real-world experiences that align with FHS's motto: Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve. 

FHS believes that teachers teach and learn best from one another and supports teacher growth through its Teacher Leader Cadre (TLC). TLC is composed of teacher leaders who design and facilitate professional development (PD) for the faculty. In the 2023-2024 school year, TLC provided training on the school’s universal screener, Star, to align with FHS’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. They also introduced Nā Hopena A‘o in collaboration with the Office of Hawaiian Education, emphasizing a sense of Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total Well Being, and Hawaii. 
Additionally, TLC introduced faculty to the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) strategies that supports the schools English Language Learners. FHS remains committed to fostering a supportive community of teachers through ongoing high-quality PD, enhancing collaboration, relationships, and unity at FHS. 

At FHS, Quad D learning remains a focus for rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning. These interdisciplinary projects foster cross-content skills through peer and community collaboration with relevant real-world experiences. For instance, in 2019, the Engineering Academy partnered with the World Surf League to design and build a merchandise trailer. Currently, they are working with Domino’s Pizza to design a 40-foot mobile pizza kitchen. These partnerships offer students genuine work experiences in project groups, culminating in an impactful final project. 

In 2022-2023, FHS closed the gaps between the school and state proficiencies on the SBA ELA and Math as school proficiencies exceeded the state with 60% of grade 11 proficient in ELA and 28% proficient in Math. The college-going culture at FHS is evident in the number and variety of Advanced Placement (AP) and Early College courses offered. With the class of 2023, eight students earned their Associate degree before graduating from FHS and with the class of 2024, thirteen students held their Associate degree before graduation. FHS continues to offer rigorous, relevant, real-life learning experiences so that all Governors Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve. www.farringtonhighschool.org.