The Lower School is situated at the Diamond Head end of the campus and encompasses the primary (K-3) and elementary (4-6) grades. Students in the primary grades enjoy a nurturing environment with low pupil-teacher ratios. Much personal attention and positive reinforcement help to promote healthy self-concepts and sound educational foundations.
In the elementary grades, academic, physical, social and spiritual development begun in the primary grades continues. Students become more aware of their accountability to others as well as their individual aptitudes and personal qualities. The faculty is engaged in the total development of the children as they progress through the Lower School.
What's New - stories and articles of interest regarding Lower School activities at Iolani
For specific adademic areas, please explore the links in the left-hand column. For general information, please see below:
Primary Grades (K-3)
Elementary Grades (4-6)
Lower School Library
Dress Standards
Daily Regulations
Primary Grades (K-3)
In the primary grades, students proceed at rates commensurate with achievement. There are minimal grade level expectancies, which most children far surpass. In addition the teachers provide a wealth of enrichment activities. Frequent assessments - quarterly evaluations, mid-quarter reports and conferences - apprise parents of their children's progress.
Subjects in the primary grades include reading, mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, art, music, religious education and physical education. Beginning in Kindergarten, a specialist promotes computer awareness and literacy. Students in grades K-3 enjoy basic instruction in creative movement and dance.
In reading, students improve their ability to recognize letters and words, read aloud, and comprehend the written and spoken word. Higher level skills such as predicting, summarizing and inferring are introduced and developed. Boys and girls learn to form letters, write complete sentences and cohesive paragraphs, speak with standard intonation and syntax, and listen attentively.
In mathematics, students learn numeral recognition and formation, number values and mathematical vocabulary. Throughout the primary grades there is systematic review and expansion of skills and concepts in performing fundamental operations and solving problems.
Students use computers to learn keyboarding skills, create graphics and begin word processing. With parental permission and teacher guidance, they access the Internet.
Grades K-3 attend chapel services once a month on Wednesday mornings and every Friday morning with the entire Lower School.
The hours of the after-school program are 2:30-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the school year.
> back to top
Elementary Grades (4-6)
Grades 4-6 are departmentalized, and students report to different teachers for their classes. The faculty and staff emphasize good citizenship, high moral standards, sound study habits, and basic skills and concepts. As in the primary grades, students advance when they master the material and receive additional attention when they encounter difficulties.
The curriculum includes reading, written and oral communication, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, religious education and physical education. In computer classes, students develop more advanced skills in word processing. They use the Internet and CD-ROM software for research projects. All students have study hall - a quiet period to do homework, prepare for another class or read.
Sixth graders may elect to take band. Students receive instruction in playing woodwind or brass instruments.
Fourth graders and new students audition for the Lower School chorus. Those who sing well may elect to join returning fifth and sixth graders. Lower School members have performed with students from the Upper School in concerts throughout the world.
Students audition for the dance group. Classes meet three times a week, and the boys and girls perform in various programs.
Sixth graders also may elect to enroll in musical theater. This course offers students various aspects of musical theater including singing, acting and movement.
Fifth graders elect to become members of the Lower School beginning or advanced orchestra. Many students continue with orchestra in the Upper School and become accomplished musicians.
Fifth and sixth graders may choose to join the Orff Ensemble. This performing group develops advanced recorder skills and uses barred instruments in combination with other percussion.
Grades 4-6 attend chapel services once a month on Wednesday mornings and every Friday morning. Students have opportunities to be readers or speakers in chapel.
> back to top
Lower School Library
The librarian works in partnership with classroom teachers to teach information retrieval, explore interdisciplinary units, and encourage the love of reading. Reference service is provided on a one-to-one basis, as well as in regularly scheduled classes. Students may use the Upper School Library when the need arises. Parents are welcome to borrow from the "Parents' Section" as well as the regular collection.
The Lower School Library welcomes donations through the "Birthday Book" program, which facilitates the growth of the collection.
Hours-- Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Collection-- 14,000 books, magazines and audiovisual resources.
Equipment-- computers with Internet access.
Click here for more information.
> back to top
Dress Standards
Boys may wear aloha, sport, dress, polo or T-shirts with trousers or shorts. Girls may wear dresses, muumuus, or blouses, polo or T-shirts with skirts, slacks or shorts. Shirttails should be tucked in. Swimwear, tank tops, plain white T-shirts and shirts with advertisements other than Iolani inscriptions are not permitted. Similarly, extreme styles and revealing clothing such as bare midriff apparel and short shorts are inappropriate.
Concerning footwear, boys and girls wear shoes and socks, sandals with backstraps or go barefoot. Slippers and sandals without backstraps are not permitted. Appropriate footwear is mandatory for field trips.
Hair should be neat and clean, with boys' hair not extending below the collar.
Boys and girls wear P.E. uniforms and sneakers on P.E. days. Iolani-related T-shirts are permissible.
Cleanliness and neatness of person and clothing are expected at all times.
> back to top
Daily Regulations
In grades 4-6, students are expected to stand when an adult visitor enters the classroom. When speaking with an adult, a student should address that person either by the last name preceded by Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms., or as Ma'am or Sir.
In the interest of safety, climbing trees, buildings, fences, etc. is not allowed.
Students should not run on the walkways or playground equipment.
Tackle football is prohibited. There is to be no throwing of balls at others except for large, soft playground balls.
Gum-chewing and card-playing are not permitted on campus.
Cellular phones may be used before and after school only. They are to be turned off and stored in school bags during the day.
Electronic games, CD players, radios and the like are not permitted on campus unless they are used for classroom assignments.
After school, students in grades 4-6 who wish to play running games (football, soccer, etc.) should do so on the grades 2-3 playground or on the courts.
The office telephone may be used only in emergency situations. After-school plans should be made before students come to school.
Other forms of misbehavior not specifically described above will be subject to the same corrective action if, in the determination of the Dean, such behavior fails to respect human or property rights of others or disrupts the educational process.
As a general rule, these rules apply to school hours within the school day. However, students identified for misconduct off campus during school hours are subject to the same rules and corrective measures that govern misconduct on campus. These rules apply also to all school functions, including school-sanctioned trips, regardless of the hour or day.
In certain instances, there may be misconduct off campus, not during school hours, that places into question whether the student should be allowed to remain in school. In those instances, the school reserves the right to take whatever action it deems necessary, including, but not limited to, expulsion.
> back to top
