Wai`anae High School Improvement Status

Summary of Progress

For the school year 2022-23, Waianae High School (WHS) planned for a full face-to-face return with an option to participate in the State Distance Learning Program. Our goals for SY22-23 continued to focus on re-engaging our students, staff, and the community back to school and closing learning loss gaps. WHS is committed to providing access to a quality education that prepares students for their post-secondary goals.

Re-engaging students and families back into the school community remains a priority. Our attendance rate showed a slight improvement from 78% in SY21-22 to 80% in SY22-23. We attribute the increase to the opportunities provided to students to participate in school activities that were planned by students and staff with input from the community. The collaborative efforts of the school community increased connections and re-established partnerships. Re-engaging included lunch activities for students, sports events, student showcases, and offerings of various clubs that focused on social-emotional well-being and living healthier lifestyles. Opportunities for parents to be involved and Kupuna led activities helped to re-establish relationships and bring our community back on campus. We will continue to focus on improving attendance , while addressing the social and emotional needs of our school community and our academic goals.

To address closing learning loss gaps, teachers were provided time to work collaboratively in the professional learning community (PLCs) to create lessons and units of study that were highly engaging, integrated technology and infused with project-based learning activities. Teachers implemented effective instructional practices that addressed the various learning levels and styles of learners. Teacher collaboration increased vertical alignment and cross-content discussions for curriculum design during common planning and department meeting times. Given our community partnerships, students were able to engage in projects that affect the community such as learning about the impacts on the watershed, forest restoration, beach erosion, and improving public transportation. In addition, opportunities for internships and certifications in the industry were provided and students could take early college courses as they work towards attaining their high school diploma. Teachers will continue to use the data team process to track student progress, increase on-time graduation rates, and prepare students for post-secondary endeavors including pursuing college, military service, or employment upon graduation.

Grade Distribution data showed the percentage of students receiving an “A” grade remained relatively constant at 29% and the percentage of students receiving an “F” grade decreased from approximately 17% in SY 21-22 to 16% in SY 22-23. WHS continues to offer free credit recovery and enrichment courses during Summer 2023. Student attendance data from SY 2021-22 shows a slight increase in attendance from 78% to 80% in SY 22-23.

Our goals for SY 2023-24 will continue to focus on re-engaging the school community and closing learning gaps. In addition, we will be adding an advisory period. Advisory will be held between 1st and 2nd periods. Students will remain with the same advisor for the course of their high school career(4yrs) to support relationship building, connecting with staff and peers, check-in points for on-time graduation, and learn soft-skills that are transferable to their post-secondary endeavors.