Frequently Asked Questions About Mid-Pacific Institute Elementary School
1. What kind of child would be successful in the Mid-Pacific environment?
We are looking for a child who can work cooperatively with peers, is curious about the world, takes initiative, and is eager to learn.
2. What is your admission process?
Parents complete the application form, and a student assessment is scheduled.
The kindergarten assessment is conducted on selected Saturdays in January, February, March, and April.
Applicants to the first through fifth grades are scheduled by appointment with a classroom teacher for your child's current grade level.
We do not assess for the purpose of exclusion. Rather, we try to obtain information to help us in our thinking about what is best for each child. Your child is asked to read, write, problem-solve, play, and interact with peers and teachers.
The elementary school's admissions committee comprises of teachers, the principal, and the office of admissions. The committee reviews each set of recorded observations, reference reports from former teachers or adult mentors, and any other reports such as report cards and standardized test scores. The office of admissions sends decision letters to kindergarten parents in April. All other applicants are notified after the admissions committee has reviewed all assessment materials. This about a three-week process.
3. What is the age cut-off date for a child entering kindergarten?
A child should have reached his or her 5th birthday by August 31st of the year he or she enters kindergarten.
4. What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Mid-Pacific is proud to boast ofits low student-to-teacher ratio. Most classes in the elementary school have 16 to 18 students, which allows teachers to not only know their students well, but also to understand their individual needs and to daily assess their growth patterns
5. Describe your curriculum.
The curriculum weaves together the best educational theories and practices related to literacy development-language learning, mathematical reasoning, social concept-building, and science explorations.
Through inquiry strategies and in collaboration with their peers and teachers, students are taught how to ask questions, find answers, consult and evaluate resources, and reflect on their learning. The curriculum program, based on nationally developed standards, enriches a child's growth while expanding intellectual curiosities and abilities.
In a "spiraling" curriculum, basic skills such as phonemic awareness in reading, mathematical algorithms, or organizing information are revisited in more complex ways each year. Content areas provide the ideas and topics in which literacy and problem-solving skills are practiced.
Computer technology is used to support and enhance the curricular program. Each classroom is equipped with five or more computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and high-speed internet access. In addition, the school has a set of Macintosh iBook laptops used by all classrooms. A technology coordinator who oversees and provides technology training for all members of the school community.
6. What are other special support programs?
Art, Music, Character Education and Physical Education are also essential components of the school program. These special areas contribute to each child's intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development.Other programs include counseling services, peer mediation, HUGSS (Helping Us Grow with Service and Smiles), and the Peace Team.
7. Do you offer after-school care?
Yes. The Extended Day Program, offered at an additional fee, runs from approximately 2:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Children do their homework, read, and participate in a variety of supervised games and meaningful arts & crafts activities.
A snack is served.8. How do the students begin their school day?
After the first bell rings, the children enter their classrooms and engage in a variety of “getting-ready-to-learn” activities such as reading, puzzles, and drawing, as well as board and computer learning games. After the second bell rings, classroom instruction begins. Students are marked “tardy to school” if they enter the classroom after after this time.
9. What is your policy about visiting classrooms?
We welcome parents and visitors to observe students and teachers. In addition to speaking with teachers, this is the best way to understand how students learn at MPI.
Parents should send a note to the teacher asking about possible observation days because of schedule changes or excursions.
Outside visitors should call the office of admissions to schedule a visit, tour of the school, or meeting.
10. What is Character Education?
MPI's Character Education Program focuses on the theme "Circle the World with Love" and its three aspects: love of self, love of others, and love of the global family. Students also learn ways to communicate more effectively, to express their feelings, and to resolve peer conflicts. They are taught Christian values as well as respect for different religious beliefs. All grade levels participate in community service projects: raising funds for disaster victims, collecting food and clothing for the homeless and writing letters to hospital patients and shut-ins. All children participate in chapel services once each week for about 20 minutes. The chaplain speaks to the children, and selected students serve chapel leaders.
11. How are children evaluated?
Teachers and students develop criteria to evaluate their learning during the school year. These criteria are usually developed for particular projects or specific assignments. Students self-assess their progress as well as the quality of their performance against these criteria. Teachers also document student learning through their careful observations, analysis of student work, and interviews with students.
Based on MPI's schoolwide learning expectations (expectations our students should be able to meet by the time they move on to middle school), students select products of learning that best illustrate their achievements of these learning expectations. These products are organized in a portfolio of learning. Students also write statements of reflection explaining what they learned, how they learned, and why they selected each item. Students are prepared to talk about their learning during the conference, adding yet another element of articulation to their education.
At the end of each semester, parents meet with teachers to discuss their child's learning progress. Teachers highlight each child's strengths and areas needing improvement. Depending on the classroom teacher and semester, students may be required to lead the conference discussion.
After the conference, a written summary of the conference is mailed home. Parents are encouraged to review their child's portfolio and discuss its content at length with their child.
The elementary school has used portfolio assessment student learning since 1991. It has proven to be an extremely effective method of learning and evaluation.
12. What standardized tests are given?
Students in the fourth grade and fifth grade take the Stanford Achievement Test, which includes both closed-ended and open-ended testing in writing, reading, and mathematical problem-solving processes.
Teachers of students at each of these grade levels teach different strategies for test taking. More intensive test taking preparation sessions are offered after school for an additional fee.
13. What is a multi-age /multi-grade class?
A multi-age class at MPI is composed of children of a three-year age span or two grade levels. This classroom structure gives each child opportunities to associate and work with others on the basis of skills, abilities, interests, personality, and age. When the age range among a group of children is increased, so is the range of development. Children see themselves more realistically as they come to appreciate the diversity of talents, skills, and abilities of their classmates.
Teachers in multi-age classes see the differences and diversity among students' strengths and learning styles as complementary. Teachers have a two-year period to work with each child and help individuals through developmental stages of learning, often much more effectively than a child moving from one teacher to another each year. Older students who have been in the classroom an additional year understand the class procedures better and can help the younger learners adjust more easily.
Class placement is determined after discussions with teachers and parents.
14. Do you have a financial aid program?
Yes. After a child has been accepted for admission to MPI, requests for assistance are available through the School and Student Service for Financial Aid, an organization affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools. Contact the office of admissions for more information.
15. What type of lunch program do you offer?
For an additional fee, parents can purchase catered lunches on a monthly basis through our lunch provider. Lunches meet state nutritional standards, are tasty, and are individually packaged and kept warm.
16. What about an after-school enrichment program?
After-school enrichment classes are offered in ukulele, guitar, computer, hula and Japanese. MPI's music teacher directs a choral group for interested students.
17. What type of extracurricular sports activities are offered?
We offer participation in inter-school basketball and volleyball. This is through the Christian Schools Athletic League of Hawaii. Practice for the students is scheduled after school. Competition games are scheduled during the school day. Both girls and boys in grades 4 and 5 are eligible to play.
18. What are the qualifications of the teachers?
All teaching faculty have received professional certification and academic degrees in teaching or in specialized areas such as music, art, or physical education. More than half of the faculty have Master's degrees.
19. What happens after fifth grade?
Students meeting all learning expectations for the elementary school continue into the MPI middle school. There is no application or admissions process for elementary students moving into the middle school.