ABOUT KHPES & GLL

BACKGROUND OF GLL

Ka’ū High & Pāhala Elementary School's Global Learning Lab is a community resiliency model for Ka'ū. With the belief that the foundation of any successful community is learning. The vision is to develop a vibrant, thriving, sustainable Ka'ū.

Our new school design model is unique to our school - because we have a unique set of conditions and factors that affect our students and teachers. A Global Learning Lab model will enable us to make the changes we need and improve our student success indicators.

The 4 main outcomes of the Ka'u Global Learning Lab is:

1) KHPES Academies

2) Community Learning Hub

3) Global Partnerships for Youth Leadership Development

4) Infrastructure & Resources to support Sustainable Community Enterprise.

BACKGROUND OF KHPES

Ka’ū High & Pāhala Elementary School is a small, rural, K-12 school, founded in 1881. It is located in the southern district of Ka’ū in the town of Pāhala on the island of Hawai’i. Ka’ū is the largest district in the state and encompasses 600,000 acres. The three major communities in the district are Pāhala, Na`alehu-Waiohinu (located approximately 12 miles southwest of Pāhala, including Mark Twain, Green Sands, and Discovery Harbor subdivisions), and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates/Ocean View Ranchos (located approximately 27 miles southwest of Pahala).

Two schools serve the district, Ka`ū High & Pāhala Elementary School (K-12) and Na`alehu Elementary School (K-6). Na’alehu School was a K-8 school until 2005-06 when 8th grade students joined Ka’ū High & Pāhala Elementary School. Na’alehu 7th graders joined the Ka’ū campus during the 2009-10 school year.

Public transportation, through the County of Hawai’i bus system, services the Ka’ū district. School buses provide students who live in outlying areas with transportation to and from school. The school had two vans donated and two full sized buses purchased with grant funds which allow more opportunities to transport students to athletic events and field trips.

ACCREDITATION

Ka’ū High & Pāhala Elementary School is currently accredited by the Western Association for Schools and Colleges.