MISSION: All stakeholders of KANU must make a commitment to külia i ka nu'u strive to reach the highest.Ð As we design, implement and continuously evaluate a quality, culturally-driven, family-oriented and community-based model of education. A philosophy and culture of excellence guides KANU. We deliver a meaningful curriculum, integrated instruction, authentic performance-based assessment, and set high expectations for students and staff, as well as for the libratory possibilities of education. KANU promotes sustained relationships between students and adults on many levels. For example, each student has an adult advisor, who together with the student develops a personal plan for progress, which is discussed at quarterly parent-student-teacher conferences. In addition, weekly meetings between advisor and advisees assure that students receive additional time and assistance when they are unable to achieve competency in a subject area. As a community-based, family-oriented school, KANU also actively involves parents, extended family and community members in the educational process at a very high level. As a result, the community and the surrounding environment become our living learning laboratories, where students and community work together to create a future that is pono - everything that is good and right from a Hawaiian perspective.

BELIEFS: KANU is based on the following beliefs: • Hawaiian knowledge structure differs significantly from the Western system of education. As an indigenous people, Hawaiians have the right to design and control our own education. • Hawaiian students can succeed in the 21st century without having to give up their Hawaiian cultural values and traditions. • When Hawaiian culture, language and values are incorporated into the pedagogical process at all levels, education has its deepest relevance and meaning for Hawaiian children. As a result, students are able to learn, to grow and to excel both in the academic setting and in life. • The integration of the natural environment into a quality Hawaiian curriculum is absolutely essential. Systemic educational reform can only be implemented with the support and assistance of the community, including parents and extended family members.