Mokapu Elementary School

KMCAS Bldg

School District

Hawaii Department Of Education
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Hawaii Department Of Education

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 21, 2023

Worst school my kids have ever gone to. As a military family we move a lot and my children have attened many different schools. Mokapu elementary is by far the worst experience so far. Teachers don’t communicate with parents properly and send the kids home with a mid progress review saying everything bad tour kid does with no follow up.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2022

We spent two years at Mokapu before transferring to a different school. We liked our teachers, but there is a huge disconnect between administration and teachers which made a lot of things confusing. The school has way to many students for staff to adequately care for and keep on track. The school welcomes volunteers but out of 950 students maybe 8 parents show up to help for events. The school also faces many challenges being a DOE school on DoD property. Other schools are able to hold larger fundraisers to offer their students STEM, art and PE once a week vs a 10 day rotation (which amounted to twice a month per special). Mokapu has to have things approved by MCCS which half the time are denied. The other schools offer a wonderful gardening program as well called Aina from the Kokua foundation that Mokapu does not as well. Is it the worst school? No. Can you drive 5-10 min and offer your child a better experience and quality of education? Absolutely.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2019

0. Worst experience with a school I have had.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2019

I use to love this school, and I would give Mokapu excellence in all categirues, but recently there have been so many disappointments and bullying to teachers and kids, and admin does nothing! You can hardly see the new principal at the school, and one VP has her favorite kids and parents, which she chooses to favor over other families — rank matters for her. Some of the teachers are caring, but my daughter 4th-grade teacher was not good. She didn't care about academics as well! Also, her 4th-grade teacher expected so high from kids, but she did not give homework, not spelling, and I saw my daughter grades going down with every quarter!Both my son and my daughter had been subject to bullying at Mokapu, and it has been dismissed without further investigation! The school ran much better with the previous principal and VP wasn't in charge if the school!
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2018

Mokapu has been a great fit for us. They’ve made some changes over the past couple of years that have really made a difference.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2016

First off let me explain the nurse is terrible my child has a severe anaphylactic allergy we are new here have a doctors appointment but have not been able to get in right away they forbid my daughter to have her EpiPen at school she actually said no you may not have it the only thing we can do is call 9-1-1 that's not enough she could DIE. The principal however was outstanding he fix the problem and even said he carry the EpiPen himself. The school is not clean not kept up end I don't think there is enough staff for the amount of students understand there's a shortage of teachers but our kids are suffering because of it.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2016

Up until this school year, I would have given Mokapu a much higher review. That being said, we are nothing but displeased with the quality of educators that our child has been subjected to this year. How a teacher can remain employed when year after year their are numerous complaints lodged against them is beyond my comprehension. I would like to point out there are several other wonderful teachers at the school and if you have children in lower grades without special needs then you probably won't have that much of a chance for problems. It's a shame that a few "bad apples" can really ruin the reputation of the entire school. We cannot wait to transfer away from this school.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2015

The school is a recognition school, which means it's rated in the top 5% of schools across all the islands. It is a military school that offers so many programs for the kids' mental and physical well-being. The teachers are over 95% highly qualified. They offer special classes that the kids LOVE; art, music, STEM, and technology. The reason I give it a 4 stars has nothing to do with the school itself, it is the dismal turnout at all PTA meetings and the lack of involvement by the parents who should be invested in this base school. I hear many other parents complaining constantly rather than doing anything constructive about perceived problems. Otherwise, you can see that the kids are happy and feel safe at this school.
Submitted by other on April 11, 2015

If the "powers that be" felt that this military base was a priority, perhaps Mokapu ES would have been a DoD school, many years ago, instead of a drain on the Hawaii state system. However, it is what it is and military parents on Marine Corps Base Hawaii can pretty much expect from their Mokapu ES experience, what THEY put into it. Mokapu ES has many caring and dedicated staff members who have chosen to work there for many years. Likewise, there have been some very amazing military families who have contributed time and talents to this school which, in so doing, demonstrated their community spirit, respect for the host culture of Hawaii, as well as respect for the uniform they wear while on duty. So, you have a choice: roll up your sleeves and be a "doer" or stay home on your couch and be a complainer.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2014

Was encouraged to post here by a mutual perspective. Upset with teaxher-parent relationship and the female vp, Character says a lot about a person. Parents talk a lot about these isses but need to get more active in school to ensure that admin wont slack off.. Not sure how the school finds hire? Is the school short of resources? Similar to the other poster, the BOE and DOE are struggling and suppose times are rough. Parents need to think about whats important and hopefully find satisfaction.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2014

Last year was somewhat more productive than this year. Some of the changes in admin and newer hiring perhaps contributed to the decline of parent satisfaction. While we appreciate the honest hard work of many ( kids kindergarten teacher was good), there are some that are terrible additions contributing to the progress of our children well being. Some stories shared by parents concerning faculty are unfathomable (however perhaps due to lack of funds and the ongoing poor ed system in HI, the employee motivation at work is difficult to obtain and improve better hires). Better to homeschool.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2014

The only reason I give this school 2 stars is for my daughters teachers this year.They have been great. Other then that I would choose another school. My son a 5th grader has had nothing but projects this year.Seriously begining to think they just hand out projects so they dont have to do anything else. I have repeatedly asked for help for him and been given the run around. Coming onto a military base I was highly disappointed in what I saw would be my childrens school. I still dont understand why this is not a DOD school. We came from a DOD school in Japan and it was amazing. The fact the the Govt., or the military for that matter subject our children to such low educational standards is appalling. As of now when we get back to mainland even my daughter who is getting straight A's will be well behind the other children her age. So disappointed and saddened with the outcome of sending my children to this school.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

- Teacher Quality: first year can't really judge - Principal Leadership: don't know who he is. Never seen him. Maybe participate in a school pledge of Allegiance in the so called field they have. Maybe go around the classes and see that the teachers are teaching and how they are teaching. Maybe stop by lunch for each time periods to see how the kids are doing. What they are being fed. Maybe walk around the school and recess during the day to give a high five or play basketball with the kids. Maybe interact yourself with knowing who the kids parents are. Maybe get out of your office and socialize yourself with EVERYBODY. Maybe help out during drop off and pick up. Maybe SHOW that you care about our students. Test scores for math and reading are just over 50%. - Parent Involvement: I think it would be a LOT better if the school would actually care what parents thought and took action. There's no activities for the kids to participate in. Like a school fair with games and cheap prizes. A bake sale is a great idea. Way to get the school and families TOGETHER. There's none of that here. If you do take a chance here GOID LUCK!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

I have never seen a school that has such poor organization.. 6 year olds are allowed to walk home alone without parent permission... which i personally thing is wrong, good luck if you want to get in touch with someone by email to discuss the issue of not being able to find your child during pick up because they had walked home because the bell rings and everyone just goes. as far as drop off and pick up, the adults stand outside and wave for you to move further down.. that is all they do i have seen many parents having to get out of the car to open the childs door (which i would assumed was probably child locked) with an adult standing right there.. this is the reason the line doesnt move in the morning.. the teachers are okay though communication with the parents is not the best.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

My daughter has been at Mokapu for 3 years. We have had amazing teachers, and overall good experience with the administration. Never really had an issue school level. But parents don't get involved and it is difficult to hear everyone always complaining but never doing anything to change it. 800+ kids maybe 20 people regularly volunteer. The balance is off - making it harder for admin. to handle everything when parents don't seem to care. My daughter has done after school enrichment programs, track, math club, mad science and more - lots of opportunities. School wide Literacy night in the fall (free event) was a blast and The PTA Family craft night in December is an amazing event - event had Santa. Bingo night, craft nights, and so much more. Not to mention NFL Play 60 was yesterday and the kids had a blast. Hopeful that Science and Math night both upcoming will be great fun too! I wish there were more but I understand why without support it is hard for the school and PTA. I love our teachers and staff they know every child and go above and beyond whenever they can.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2013

If you have a special needs child RUN as far and as fast as you can from this school. We have been in Hawaii 9 months and have racked up 14 violations of IDEA. My son is 6 and attended part of his kindergarten year and is currently enrolled in 1st grade. They failed to provide services to him that were listed on his out of state ID, was found in a parking lot by a parent volunteering, started current school year a week late because they didn't have his supports in place, was told by his teacher she didn't have time to listen to safety concerns, freely admitted he is given no direct instruction, I could go on and on. The whole SPED program, from Administration down is the WORST I have ever come across. Please, seriously consider other options.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2013

As a former teacher and military spouse, I was so blessed to have had my children attend this school. There are all kinds of rumors out there about Hawaii schools ( that you hear from the military). Mokapu is very much like a family and know the needs of military children. My son attended first thru fourth at Mokapu. My daughter attended kindergarten. We move to Virginia last year. We moved to one of the highly recommended public school districts. My son and daughter took tests to see where they would be placed. Both are in excelled classes and have maintained on honor roll. Mokapu prepared them for future success. As a military family, we feel blessed to have been a part of Mokapu. The teachers are amazing!
Submitted by other on July 20, 2013

I went to this school from 1st to 3rd grade (1958 - 1961) and have many happy memories of being there. I moved from the old school to the new one when it was completed.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2013

Wonderful school. My child was here for junior kindergarten, 5th, and 6th grade and my daughter for junior kindergarten. Both recommended to skip kindergarten and go straight to 1st grade because of the attention they got during Jr. K. All the teachers our children had were attentive, organized and truly cared about what the education our children (and other students) received during their time there. Like all schools, the parents have play just as important a role as the staff and the student and all of our concerns were addressed in a proper and timely manner. The principal and vice principal run a tight watch and hold the students and teachers accountable and has definitely improved since the last time were were here a decade ago.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

I have had 3 kids at Mokapu for the past 3 years ranging from Jr. K to 6th grade. For the most part the school has been god. My special needs child gets attention and his teacher this year has been amazing! All my kids have had a good experience at Mokapu and I have enjoyed the Teachers. Like most schools it has its downfalls, my kids complain about the food, its terrible! But other than that I am glad my kids went here!