MISSION & GUIDING BELIEFS FAQs
Why did Hanahauʻoli School refresh its mission statement?
Our previous mission statement was created in the late 1990s, so it was time for an update. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recommended us during the accreditation process to revisit our mission statement to reflect the current situation. It’s important to note that we are not changing our mission of providing top-notch progressive education, but rather we updated our mission statement to reflect what is currently happening at our school. Our refreshed mission statement reflects our enduring commitment to joyful, child-centered learning and our vision for nurturing compassionate, capable contributors to our community and beyond.
How will the refreshed mission statement be implemented?
Our head of school, Lia Woo, unveiled the refreshed mission statement during the first assembly of the new school year on August 22, 2025. She read the draft of a book that helps bring the mission statement to life, and over the course of the school year the students will help to add to and finish the book. Teachers will also be integrating the refreshed mission statement in their classrooms.
How did you come up with the refreshed mission statement and guiding beliefs?
Our refreshed mission statement is the result of a collaborative process led by Hanahauʻoli School’s Board of Trustees. Over the past year and a half, the Mission Statement Task Force engaged faculty and staff, parents, alumni, former faculty and staff, former parents, former students and others to shape both the mission statement and guiding beliefs.
How will the guiding beliefs be implemented?
Our goal is to have Hanahauʻoli’s students, faculty, and staff live the mission statement and guiding beliefs. We plan to have the different classrooms present a lesson on the guiding beliefs during the Friday assemblies to help teach their fellow students about them. Each classroom will be assigned one guiding belief.
What is progressive education?
Progressive education is a process of living—through collaboration, inquiry, and in an environment that honors childhood, students develop the sensibilities of a lifelong learner and a democratic citizen. As a progressive school, we believe education should honor the whole child, spark curiosity, and prepare students to think critically, collaborate with care, and lead with heart.
What was the mission statement previously?
Hanahau‘oli is dedicated to educational excellence by making learning exciting, challenging and enjoyable. It validates childhood and the way children learn as a foundation for life-long learning.
Hanahau‘oli is committed to learning by doing. It integrates the essential skills and concepts of the basic disciplines. It promotes critical and creative thinking, and emphasizes the important role of the arts as an expression of self and culture.
The learning environment also integrates school life with the home and world, and encourages partnerships within the community.
The Hanahau‘oli child develops as a unique individual, with a deep sense of groundedness, demonstrated by a respect and responsibility to self and others, within a diverse and global society.
What were the beliefs previously?
The family is the first, and foremost educator of children; the school seeks to create a close connection between home and school and expects direct parent involvement in a child’s school experience.
Children construct meaning by interacting directly with their world: therefore, school experiences should build on this natural way of learning.
Children demonstrate different strengths and develop at different rates: therefore, flexibility and differentiated expectations characterize a good learning environment.
Real-life problems and situations offer the best means for developing useful skills and understandings.
Hanahau‘oli’s program addresses the cognitive, socio-emotional and physical development of each child.
The school seeks to reflect the diversity of the larger society and is a suitable setting in which to teach children to become productive members of democratic communities.
Hanahau‘oli seeks to provide an excellent education for its own children and can serve as a model and source of innovation for other schools.
Is there anything we can do to help Hanahau‘oli?
Yes! We’d love to hear from you. Please send us a Hau‘oli Gram to let us know ways you and your family are living the mission or what it means to you. If you have ideas to help us implement our refreshed mission statement and guiding beliefs, please contact us at iao@hanahauoli.org.