Freshman Academy Mission

The Waiākea High School Freshman Academy is a collaborative team focused on creating connections with our school, preparing for the rigor of secondary school, and ensuring all students a successful transition into a career academy.

Overview

The Freshman Academy is composed of teams of teachers (Holomua & Hoʻomau) who share common expectations, rules, and policies.  All core classes are inclusive of all students (including special education, 504, and ELL).  The teams meet weekly to discuss student progress and to plan curriculum and academy events. This allows the teachers to keep track of student progress and challenges, and tailor their teaching efforts to meet specific student needs. To meet the academy’s mission and goals, Academy teachers work collaboratively to provide standards-based instruction and offer support and strategies to help students develop the skills and gain the knowledge necessary to become successful, responsible, and active participants in their own education. Additionally, the academy teachers focus on the outcomes of Nā Hopena Aʻo or Hā Framework (Belonging, Responsibility, Aloha, Excellence, Total Well-Being, and Hawaiʻi) to help the “whole” freshman thrive academically and personally.  To learn more about the Hā Framework, view the video below.

Certification Status

The Freshman Academy underwent review by the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) in 2022 and received the status of Model with Distinction - the highest level of certification an academy can be awarded.  The NCAC status will be reviewed again in the spring of 2026.