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. During our recent HAIS accreditation cycle, it was recommended that we revisit our mission statement and guiding beliefs to ensure these foundational statements accurately articulate our lived mission. It’s important to note that we are not changing the mission of Hanahau‘oli, but rather we updated our mission statement. Our refreshed mission statement and guiding beliefs reflect our enduring commitment to joyful, child-centered learning and our vision for nurturing compassionate, curious, and confident individuals who demonstrate responsibility for self, others, and our world.
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. As is tradition, on the first assembly of the school year, Ms. Woo shared a story with the Hanahau‘oli community. This year, Ms. Woo read an original story that captures the mission in motion at Hanahau‘oli School. In a fun twist, Ms. Woo noted that the story is not finished and invited students to help complete the story this year. This year will be an immersive experience in celebrating the mission in motion.
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 trustees, faculty and staff, parents, alumni, former faculty and staff, former parents, and grandparents to shape both the mission statement and guiding beliefs.
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.