Punahou School Introduction to Punahou

Handbook 2019 — 2020 Punahou School Introduction to Punahou The Mission of Punahou School We are committed to provide an environment where students can: » Develop moral and spiritual values consistent with the Christian principles on which Punahou was founded, affirming the worth and dignity of each individual. » Develop intellectual, academic and physical potential to the fullest degree, preparing them for college and for challenges facing them now and in the future. » Develop and enhance creativity and appreciation for the arts. » Appreciate cultural diversity and develop social responsibility. Our Vision for Punahou School 1. Cultivate an enlightened, dynamic and attentive learning environment in which each Punahou student is given the opportunities and encouragement to reach their potential. 2. Attract, nurture and retain a knowledgeable, dedicated and inspiring faculty. Foster a schoolwide culture of innovation and renewal. 3. Ensure financial access to a Punahou education for every admitted and continuing Punahou student. 4. Improve and sustain teaching and learning environments, and campus facilities to support Punahou’s mission and vision. 5. Become a private school with a larger public purpose through a robust financial aid program and through meaningful partnerships with other schools and educators within Hawai‘i, the United States and the world. 6. Balance Punahou’s educational vision and aspirations with its future financial sustainability through continued prudent growth and stewardship of financial resources. Aims of a Punahou Education » To develop the full potential of each student through a broad and vigorous program of studies characterized by high expectations; and through rich opportunities and experiences for exploration, growth, and mastery. » To develop within each Punahou student the capacity for critical and creative thought, and skills for effective written and oral communication, interpersonal collaboration, quantitative reasoning, scientific inquiry and a global perspective. To develop qualities of curiosity, resourcefulness, persistence and resilience – ultimately becoming a confident, self-directed, lifelong learner. » To help each Punahou student to see the interconnections between their subjects, to integrate Hawaiian values and culture in ways that can extend and deepen their learning, to be able to think flexibly, to have a questioning attitude, to generate alternatives and possibilities, and to apply and adapt their learning to relevant issues and challenges. » To foster within each Punahou student, personal and social responsibility by developing empathy and compassion, and by embracing diversity at all levels, while cultivating moral reasoning that leads to moral action, personal leadership and engaged citizenship. 2 PUNAHOU SCHOOL HANDBOOK 2019 — 2020 Section title here Section Punahou School Overview Punahou School Overview Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, is an inde- Punahou is dedicated to honoring its Christian pendent, coeducational day school with a student heritage in the midst of the School’s treasured body of 3,750 from Kindergarten through grade 12. ethnically and religiously diverse academic community. An emphasis on moral and spiritual In 2016, Punahou celebrated the 175th anniversary education and development, in a significant sense, of its founding in 1841. Fifteen children of pervades Punahou and can be experienced in Congregational missionaries were the first students classrooms, in Chapel worship and worship-related of Punahou School, established as a place for the experiences, through community service themes missionaries to educate their children and their and the Character Education Program, and, to a children’s children. large extent, in the School’s ethos and daily life. Chapel services are held each cycle for all students A decade after the School’s founding, Old School K – grade 12. Hall, then termed “the new and spacious school- house,” opened its doors to all races and religions, The Aims of a Punahou Education are furthered while retaining Punahou’s Christian heritage. Old through cross-curricula initiatives facilitated School Hall is a landmark on campus, and is still in through several centers located on campus. Global use today as a classroom building. education, Hawaiian studies, service, entrepreneurship and sustainability are supported through the The exceptional breadth and diversity of opportunities Wo International Center, Kuaihelani Learning distinguishes the Punahou experience, allowing Center and Luke Center for Public Service. students to explore and develop their own interests and passions, building confidence and independence, Wo International Center provides challenging and preparing each child for a future that is uniquely opportunities and innovative experiences that lend a successful. global perspective to learning. Programs include intensive language instruction; study abroad and Punahou’s student body reflects the varied socio- summer programs for foreign students; lectures and economic levels and ethnicities of Hawai‘i. Our seminars; and faculty-enrichment programs. students exhibit a wide range of abilities, interests and talents, all contributing to a dynamic and The Hawaiian Studies initiative is centered in diverse school community. Kuaihelani Learning Center, providing resources to the school community for Hawaiian history and culture. Intellectual curiosity, creativity and personal responsibility are characteristics typical of the The Luke Center for Public Service was established Punahou student. Each is recognized as an individual, in 2002 to support community service and service encouraged to realize his or her potential and learning throughout the school and the broader challenged to strive for excellence. community. Encompassed in its work has been a focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship. One of the strengths of Punahou is its faculty. While diverse in experience, faculty members share The school calendar is organized in a variable a commitment to teaching and learning. Punahou six-day cycle, with days designated A-Day through teachers are selected not only for their academic F-Day. Initiated in 1971 in the Academy, the cycle background but also for the enthusiasm and vigor days have been used schoolwide since 1976. The with which they approach teaching and for their variable schedule supports a high level of flexibility commitment to students. at all grade levels and is the basis of the modular schedule employed in the Academy. Punahou’s outstanding facilities and beautiful campus provide an engaging and challenging learning environment, and support academic, artistic and extensive co-curricular programs. 3 School Organization and Leadership The president, with the Board of Trustees, has the The Junior School is composed of three self- responsibility for oversight of all aspects of student contained sections, each designed to meet the life and school operations. The president also heads developmental needs of the children it serves: the Administrative Leadership Team, comprised K – grade 1 housed in the Omidyar K – 1 of instructional leaders responsible for the major Neighborhood; grades 2 – 5 in the new Sidney and curricular divisions of the school, and the chief Minnie Kosasa Community; and grades 6 – 8 in administrative officers of the school. Case Middle School and Bishop Hall. The kindergarten – grade 12 learning community is The Academy, composed of grades 9 – 12, is led by two principals, heading the two divisions of administered by Principal Dr. Emily McCarren, the school. Assistant Principals Sally Mingarelli and James Kakos, and two Deans at each grade level. The The Punahou Junior School encompasses senior class numbers around 425 students. kindergarten through eighth grade. Principal Punahou’s students have distinguished themselves Dr. Paris Priore-Kim ’76, Vice Principals Dr. Todd in National Merit as well as Presidential Scholar Chow-Hoy and Dr. Chase Mitsuda ’98, and six competitions. Punahou students in the National Administrative Deans oversee approximately 2,000 Advanced Placement program take over 1,250 exams students. Junior School (K – grade 8) achievement annually with more than 90 percent scoring high test mean scores are from one to three years above enough to qualify for college credit and/or advanced the national average. placement. Ninety-eight percent of Punahou graduates go on to four-year colleges and universities. Dr. Michael E. Latham ’86 began his tenure as the 17th president of Punahou School on July 1, 2019, after an accomplished academic career as an educator and college administrator. Prior to returning to Hawai‘i, Latham served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean at Grinnell College in Iowa, a nationally ranked liberal arts college known for innovative teaching. As Grinnell’s chief academic officer, Latham co-chaired a task force leading to a new Institute for Global Engagement; advanced new learning initiatives centered on technology and data; guided Grinnell’s approach to diversity and inclusion; and helped draw major grants from various foundations. Before Grinnell, Latham was Professor of History and Dean of Fordham University’s College at Rose Hill in New York City. Latham took on this administrative role after 13 years as a history professor, during which he won the university’s award for excellence in teaching in the social sciences. A widely respected scholar of U.S. history and foreign relations, Latham has also taught in China at the Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing

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