KA UMEKE KAEO - PCS

Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS is a Title I public charter school that is part of the Hawaii Department of Education school district, located in Hilo, HI with about 205 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 9th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 24 teachers, Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS has a student/teacher ratio of about 8:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

**Ka ?Umeke Ka?eo**, located in Hilo, Hawai?i, is a unique public charter school (PCS) that serves as a Hawaiian language immersion institution. Founded on the principle of *Kumu Honua Mauli Ola* (the foundational philosophy of Hawaiian well-being), the school is dedicated to revitalizing the Hawaiian language, culture, and traditions. It provides a culturally responsive educational environment where students from kindergarten through high school are nurtured to become bilingual, bicultural, and globally aware citizens who are deeply connected to their ancestral roots and the Hilo community.

The school’s curriculum is deeply rooted in *?aina-based* education, meaning that learning is intrinsically linked to the land and the surrounding environment of Hawai?i Island. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge with rigorous academic standards, Ka ?Umeke Ka?eo fosters critical thinking and a strong sense of identity among its students. The school operates as a tight-knit community that emphasizes values such as *aloha* (love/respect), *kuleana* (responsibility), and *laulima* (cooperation), ensuring that graduates are not only prepared for post-secondary success but are also equipped to contribute positively to the preservation and advancement of Hawaiian culture for future generations.

For more information, contact Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS at (808) 933-3482 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.