Frequently Asked Questions - 6-8 (Middle School)

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Students are strongly discouraged from bringing personal items, as such, to school. However, recognizing that cell phones are an essential form of communication, students may bring these to school and are permitted to use them with permission from faculty or staff. Students are not permitted to listen to and/or use iPods, cell phones, or any other similar type of electronic device that has the potential to be disruptive or exclusive to healthy social interaction.

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Yes. We have some great musical options: in classes, special events, or lessons. Bring your voice and your instruments.

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Students are expected to be in their advisory classrooms by 7:50 a.m. Classes begin at 8 a.m., with the school day ending at 3:10 p.m.

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The teacher is the first point of contact regarding a student’s grade. By engaging the child’s teacher who issued the grade, the parent gets firsthand information in a timely fashion; this direct communication fosters a common understanding and a stronger partnership between home and school.

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Being on time to school in the morning and during the day is an important characteristic that defines a responsible citizen of our learning community. Tardiness typically becomes a more serious matter in Middle School when students begin to change classes during the day and assume more responsibility as they become more independent. When a student is late to school or class, we first determine if the tardy qualifies as “excused” or “ unexcused.” If unexcused, the tardy is considered a minor misconduct incident and 5 points are removed from the student’s conduct grade for the quarter grading period.

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Lower School students keep their instructional supplies in their classroom; their personal supplies normally are minimal. Middle School students are issued locks and lockers and students are required to keep all of their instructional and personal supplies in their assigned locker.

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The Village Campus hosts an annual Open House, although the purpose, intent, and time varies somewhat from the standard open house format. Our Open House takes place earlier in the school year (within the first two weeks) and is intended to provide parents with important information relative to academic expectations, curriculum, and general classroom procedures that facilitate home-school communication.

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Almost always, a concern or inquiry should first be directed to the faculty or staff member who is most likely able to respond in a knowledgeable and meaningful manner. The administration maintains an open door policy, but will honor a process that invites parents and faculty to communicate directly, as this most often facilitates accurate communication and builds trust, understanding, and partnership. General questions or concerns can be directed to the office and/or principal.

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Yes. Information for the upcoming school year is distributed to families no later than June. This information will be sent home and posted on the school’s Web site. If you have any questions, call the Village Campus (K-8) office at 808-885-2501 or the Upper Campus (9-12) at 808-885-7321.

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The school strongly encourages families to plan trips and vacations during the school’s scheduled vacation breaks. As a citizen of a learning community, we feel a student’s presence is a responsibility that he/she should take seriously. With sufficient notice (minimum of two weeks), teachers can prepare some class work for students when they are away from school but, in reality, the student’s learning experience is significantly diminished due to the nature of learning in an interactive classroom environment. Students are permitted to make up tests and assessments within the regular school day when they return from vacation.

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Yes. The Village Campus runs an after-school program for students in grades K-6 designed primarily as day care. Two faculty members supervise students as they complete homework assignments, play board games, read in the library, work on an educational computer game, play on the playground, or participate in arts and crafts activities.

We are in the process of building a foundation for a more "formal" after-school program. During the 2007-2008 school year, we offered a Lower School Spanish and dance class activity and we hope to expand these offerings for the 2008-2009 school year to include several athletic and arts/music offerings, as well as a modern language offering.

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Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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No. Parents, relatives, or authorized guardians drive their children to and from school. There are designated areas for drop-off and pick-up that are supervised by the school’s security, faculty, and administration.

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Yes. We have Lower and Middle School dress codes. Students are required to meet specific standards in support of “presenting themselves in a respectful and responsible manner.” The Lower School dress code is not as formal as the Middle School dress code. We do require Lower School students to adhere to an informal physical education dress code by wearing a red T-shirt on the day they have physical education.

At the Middle School, we have instituted a formal physical education T-shirt requirement.  For Middle School students, additional emphasis is placed on the “respectful and responsible” aspect of dress at school.

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When a child is absent from school due to illness, we ask that the school be informed as quickly as possible; usually, a phone call to the office (885-2501) is sufficient. The child cannot return to school on the day he/she is out sick to participate in activities either during the day, after school, and in the evening (special events).

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Hawaii Preparatory Academy is a K-12 institution with grades K-8 located about 1.5 miles from the Upper Campus. The Village Campus is situated between the Upper Campus and “village” of Waimea, hence, the term “Village” Campus. The K-8 school also is referred to as the “Lower Campus” in reference to the K-8 component of the school.

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Our school is committed to educating both the “head and heart.” We promote and support character education, quality citizenship, and academic excellence throughout all aspects of the school’s curriculum and culture.

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Character education is that component of our school where we intentionally and explicitly help students understand the important virtues that serve as a foundation for a healthy and responsible life. Using the Heartwood Ethics Program, which embraces the virtues of love, hope, courage, loyalty, honesty, justice, and respect, we address and celebrate these qualities that are so integral to living constructive lives through activities at assemblies and events, literature, celebrations, service learning projects, learning to mediate and problem-solve, partnerships with parents and outside resources and, most importantly, through modeling daily living and work at the Village Campus.

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Creating a school culture of “caring” serves as the basis for good citizenship. Caring about how to conduct oneself in a respectful and responsible manner in all things related to our school and learning is paramount to helping create a healthy, productive community. We celebrate our students’ accomplishments and try to help them learn from their mistakes in an honest and sincere fashion. Our Middle School has an honor code that serves as a reminder to students about their responsibility as citizens of our school community.

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We prefer to not use the word “discipline” when helping students learn from their mistakes. We use the term "student management" and the concept of “natural and progressive consequences” to help students recognize and realize the implications of mistakes and poor decisions. Knowing that modeling is one of the most powerful tools for learning, the faculty and staff at the Village Campus interact with students around disciplinary matters in a manner that enables them to retain their self-worth and dignity, while learning to take responsibility for their actions. We document all student behavior issues that qualify as “minor” or “major” incidents. Teasing, being disrespectful, out of dress code, tardiness, etc., are examples of minor incidents. Physical aggression of any sort, lying, cheating, stealing, or vandalism are considered major incidents. Repeated minor incidents can qualify as a “major” incident. All major incidents harbor the potential for a suspension from school.

Lower School (K-5) Students: All minor K-5 student management concerns are addressed by the classroom teacher, who usually works with the parent to address the matter. Occasionally, additional support from either the school counselor and/or administration might be essential to help resolve the matter. When a major incident occurs, the school’s administration becomes involved and works with school personnel and the parents to address the matter.

Middle School (6-8) Students: HPA employs a student conduct report system, whereby every quarter, students begin anew with 100 points. In the event a student incurs a minor or major incident, points are deducted from the student’s conduct grade; minor incidents are valued at 5 points while major incidents can result in a maximum 25 point deduction. When a student misbehaves, the teacher will meet with the student to review the matter. If the teacher feels the incident warrants a point deduction, the incident is documented and both the student and teacher sign the incident report. Repeated minor incidents and all major incidents warrant involvement of the school’s administration. When a student’s conduct total falls below 90 points, the student no longer qualifies for honor roll for the quarter. Additionally, if a student’s conduct grade falls below 75, he/she is placed on “social” probation. Social probation limits a student’s participation in extracurricular activities and lasts for a semester or until the principal lifts this restriction.

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Yes. All students in grades K-12 must adhere to the school's Acceptable Use Policy for their respective division. The school regards computers and technology as essential tools for learning. Students are expected to demonstrate responsible and ethical use of these resources. E-mail accounts are provided for students and are subject to monitoring. Students are responsible for the content of their computer accounts at all times.