Innovations Program

What is the King Innovation Program?  (Formerly known as the Aloha Aina Innovation Academy)

The Innovation Program is a cohort of 7th and 8th grade students that is built on the core values of place-based learning, relationships, community engagement, and strength-based principles.  This program incorporates the principles of Nā Hopena A'o. Students will be building a strengthened sense of: Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total Well-Being, and Hawai'i (BREATH/HĀ).  The mission of the Innovation Program is for each student to bring a strength that enhances our hui while benefiting from the collection of experiences the program provides.

An ideal Innovation Program candidate will be open to:

• Collaboration with classmates and community partners

• Place-based experiences (field trips to aina, culturally relevant historic sites, etc)

• Hands-on problem solving/projects (can work independently to find resources/solutions)

• Integrated Curriculum (Ex. STEM, Social Studies/ELA, Math/Science)

A glimpse into Innovation Program

6th Grade application process:

• April 23 & 25             Elementary Schools Visit Program on Campus Tour
• April 26 - May 3      Student Application Open

• May 10                          Teacher Recommendation Form Due 

• May 16                           'Ohana Impact Survey Due

• May 24                          6th Grade Decision Letters distributed via email
• May 31                           Opt In/Out Form Due

• TBA                                 3-Day Summer Innovation Program Summit (In lieu of King Bridge Program) 8:30 am-12:30 pm

7th Grade application process:

• April 26 - May 3        Student Application Open

• May 15                             Teacher Recommendation Form Due 

• May 24                            'Ohana Impact Survey Due

• May 30                            7th Grade Decision Letters distributed via email
• June 7                               Opt In/Out Form Due

• TBA                                   3-Day Summer Innovation Program Summit  8:30 am-12:30 pm

Students can apply after they are referred to the program from their counselor, teacher or from student interest after visit.

If ‘ohana is interested, please use the form to contact us for more information or start the process to apply for the program.   To initiate the application process you will need a student's school email address and the name of their current teacher.

Begin Innovations Application
(You will need to log into your student's DOE Gmail account to fill out the form.)