About Mid-Pacific Institute Elementary School
Mid-Pacific Institute Elementary School, originally Epiphany School, was established as a small mission school by the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in 1937. It has developed into a progressive learning community that is well regarded for its highly qualified faculty and unique, nurturing environment. Epiphany School joined Mid-Pacific Institute in August 2004. MPI Elementary School is currently located in Kaimuki, but will be moving into its new home on the MPI Manoa campus in time for the 2005-2006 academic year.
MPI Elementary School is a kindergarten through fifth grade, coeducational school with about 160 students from all over the island of O'ahu. A preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, based on Reggio Emilia philosophy and practices, will open in the fall.
MPI Elementary School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.
The guiding principle of the elementary school is Children First. A Children First philosophy embodies the belief that every child is uniquely valued, can learn successfully, and has multiple strengths. Our child-centered approaches enable children to initiate questions and ideas, explore alternatives, and interact with peers, teachers, parents, and the larger community.
These are the educational belief statements supported by the Children First philosophy:
- Learning occurs naturally when it is meaningful, purposeful, and connected to the discovery of self in relation to God, family, community, and the world.
- Learning is a unique process for each person; all children learn at varying rates of development and use multiple intelligences. This also means that children should be able to express their learning through a variety of ways, all equally valid and important.
- Lifelong learning is the process of building on past experiences and prior understanding, discovering answers to self-generated questions, testing assumptions, refining beliefs, and reflecting on the process.
Effective learning is best supported in a nurturing, joyful environment. The elementary school environment includes a collaborative community of parents, peers, and teachers.
In order to achieve deep understanding, all children should have many and varied opportunities for engaging in learning, from experiential, hands-on activities to more abstract, concept-building tasks. Concepts should be revisited each year and developed with increasing complexity.
Development in all areas - intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical - is essential in helping children to achieve their greatest potential as thoughtful, independent, and compassionate individuals.
Educational ProgramMPI Elementary School provides an integrated, developmental approach that is committed to educate the whole child and inspire a lifelong joy in learning. The school seeks to provide students with multiple opportunities throughout the preschool to fifth grade years to experience learning as many processes in different contexts. Through inquiry strategies and in collaboration with their peers and teachers, students are taught how to ask questions, find answers, consult resources, and reflect on their learning. This constructivist approach – students making meaning of their learning – is a linchpin of the curriculum and instruction in all facets of the school. Learning is hands-on, enactive, meaningful, and fun.
The academic curriculum weaves together the best educational theories and practices related to literacy – language learning, mathematical reasoning, social concept-building, and explorations in science. At MPI Elementary School, literacy in all content areas manifests itself in sustained reading, writing, problem-solving, and critical thinking, as well as in all the skills, knowledge, processes, and attitudes that support literacy.
Technology, particularly the use of computers, is used as an instructional tool to support learning. The former Epiphany School was the first elementary school in Hawaii to write and implement a Technology Vision Statement. Through strong parent support and fundraising efforts, every classroom is equipped with several computers, printers, and access to the Internet. Students also benefit from a mobile lab of laptop computers.
A low student/teacher ratio enables learning to broaden and deepen. In addition to same-age classrooms (Kindergarten and 5th Grade), MPI Elementary School offers multiage learning (Grades 1-2 and 3-4 combinations) as an educational strategy that promotes the development of a fuller range of a child’s cognitive and social skills.
Support Programs: Art, Music, Physical Education, Peace/Character EducationEvery child at MPI Elementary School participates in a well-rounded curricular program that integrates the arts, physical education, and peace/character education. Supported by education theorist Howard Gardner’s notion of multiple intelligences, the school offers children multiple ways of expressing themselves, multiple ways of learning, and multiple opportunities for success. Art education, with activities ranging from ceramics and weaving to printmaking and photography, encourages children to explore color, texture, form, and perspective. In music education, children sing, play musical instruments, and learn about sounds, rhythms, and musical notation. Musical productions provide opportunities for every child to take center stage. Physical education activities include volleyball, basketball, swimming, and other activities which help children increase their physical stamina and coordination. At the park or on the school playground, sportsmanship, goal-setting, active participation, and skill-building are emphasized. The art, music, peace/character education, and physical education teachers work with all grade levels.
The spirit of the MPI Elementary School experience is rooted in a Christian-based education program that focuses on the theme “Circle the World with Love” and its four aspects: love of God, love of self, love of others, and love of the global family. All grade levels participate in community service projects – raising funds for disaster victims, collecting food for the homeless, and writing letters to shut-ins.
Within the public and private school community in Hawaii, MPI Elementary School is regarded as a leader in Peer Mediation and Peace Team programs that offer student models for resolving conflicts with others. The fifth graders comprise the Peace Team, a service organization which provides friendly help to younger students. Interested fourth and fifth graders receive nine hours of intensive training to become peer mediators. Students learn conflict resolution skills, communication and listening techniques, anger-diffusion skills, and group-cooperation skills.
Nearly half of the elementary student population participate in the extended day program, which runs until 6:00 p.m. Children do their homework and can participate in a variety of supervised games and activities. Several after-school enrichment classes are offered for an additional fee. Classes in piano, guitar, and ukulele are available. Computer classes, conducted by Ohana Komputer, provide instruction in keyboarding, research, and special projects. Keiki Hula, in addition to Japanese and Chinese language and culture classes, support a deepened knowledge and respect for local diversity. Students may also join the children’s chorus.