Iolani School

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about life at `Iolani. More specific questions relating to the admission process and to financial aid can be found by clicking here:

About Admission

About Financial Aid

How is the school divided?

The Lower School is situated at the Diamond Head end of the 25-acre campus and encompasses the primary (K-3) and elementary (4-6) grades. The Upper School includes grades 7 - 12 and is located on the Ewa side of campus. All students share the use of the pool, gyms, and fields. The lower and upper schools have separate library, dance and computer facilities.

When does the school year begin and end?

First Day of 2008-09	August 26, 2008
Last Day	June 4, 2009
Christmas Break	December 19, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Spring Break	March 20 - March 29, 2009

Is bus transportation available?

`Iolani does not provide bus transportation. Students ride The Bus or arrange private bus transportation through Roberts Hawaii at 832-4886 and Ground Transport, Inc. at 833-4222.

How large are the classes?

Overall class size varies depending on grade. There are approximately 70 students per grade in kindergarten through 5th grade and 120 students in 6th grade. Overall, there are 540 students in the Lower School.

Students in the primary grades enjoy a nurturing environment with kindergarten classes having a pupil-teacher ratio of 12:1. Grades 4 - 6 are departmentalized, and students report to different teachers for their classes. Lower School students also receive specialized instruction from p.e., dance, music, art, computer, science and religion teachers.

Although numbers are approximate, our goal for the Upper School is 1,300 students with 180 students in 7th grade, 190 in 8th, 235 in 9th and 230 - 235 in 10th - 12th. The average class size is 17 and the student-teacher ratio throughout the school is 8:1.

What kind of personal attention does `Iolani provide?

`Iolani is well known for providing personal attention to every student. Since classes are small, teachers know their students well and are able to provide additional help when it's needed. They meet with students during their free periods and at assigned times after school. Nine full-time counselors assist students with social, behavioral and academic concerns. As student advocates, they support the communication between students, teachers and parents so that no student falls through the cracks.

How much homework is assigned each night?

Kindergarten and 1st graders enjoy little or no homework, and assignments increase gradually each year. Students in grades 4 - 6 can expect 50 - 90 minutes per school night, and usually no homework is assigned over the weekend.

The homework guidelines in Upper School are as follows:

Grades 7-8	20 minutes per subject per school night
Grades 9-12	30-40 minutes per subject per school night
AP Courses	60 minutes per AP course per school night

Not every teacher assigns the maximum amount of homework every night, and most students utilize their free periods or study hall periods to complete work and meet with teachers. This helps minimize their evening homework load.

When and where do students eat lunch?

Lower School students eat at 11:10. They may bring home lunch or buy lunch in the school cafeteria. Upper School students share a common 45 minute lunch period when lower school students are finished. They may bring lunch, eat in the cafeteria or buy food from one of the snack bars. The cafeteria is open for breakfast from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. and during the lunch period, and the snack bars are open throughout the day. Students in grades 9 - 12 may eat during the lunch period or during one of their free periods.

What is a free period?

A free period is a period during which no class has been scheduled. Students in grades 4 - 8 have an assigned study hall when no class is scheduled. Students in grades 9 - 12, who are performing well academically, are free to meet with teachers, work in the library or computer lab, eat, or meet with their friends. Seniors may leave campus during free periods.

Is there a uniform or dress code?

`Iolani has no uniform but there is a dress code. While there are some differences in details between the Lower School and Upper School dress codes, all students are expected to be appropriately and neatly dressed.

10.

Does `Iolani have any religious affiliation?

`Iolani is a Christian school with an Episcopal tradition. Although we recognize and respect diverse beliefs, all students are required to attend weekly Chapel services. Students attend religion classes to gain insight into other faiths and cultures, from world religions to Christianity, and a one semester Bible class is required for graduation.

11.

Does `Iolani have an after-school care program?

`Iolani provides after-school care for students in kindergarten - 4th grade until 5:30 p.m. on all full days of school. After-school care is not available on holidays, vacations or early dismissal days.

After school enrichment classes are also offered to students in kindergarten - 12th grade. They include art, sewing, ceramics, driver's education, PSAT/SAT prep, ballet, jazz, hip hop, hula, musical theater, gymnastics, judo, swimming, and tennis. Individual music lessons are available in violin, viola, cello, bass, bassoon, flute, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, keyboarding, piano, acoustic bass, and electric bass. The Lower School Foreign Language and Culture program introduces Chinese, Japanese and French to students in grades 1 - 6.