In 2003, our Waimea Middle school-community voted to become Hawai’i’s first Public Conversion Charter School (PCCS) under a new law passed by the 2002 State Legislature.  Act 2/2002 was created with the support of many educational visionaries in Hawai’i including Kamehameha Schools and Hawai’i Business Roundtable who together sought to nurture student achievement by providing public schools — who were willing to embrace change — with greater flexibility and enhanced local leadership and resources. 

Act 2/2002 created the not-for-profit Ho’okako’o Corp., which works in partnership with the Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools and others.  Ho’okako’o Corp. serves as our WMS “local school board.”  DOE continues to fund WMS and is responsible for our facilities.  In addition, for every $4 received from DOE, Kamehameha Schools provides an additional $1 via Ho’okako’o Corp. to provide enhanced student supports. 

Upon becoming a PCCS, WMS conducted a comprehensive Systems and Organizational Audit (SOA), which provided a “roadmap” for developing an educational Strategic Plan that was formally adopted by the school-community and guides all decisions. 

The WMS Strategic Plan focuses on student achievement, family engagement and community involvement.  Our school governance model is one of respectful collaboration involving all stake-holders — teachers, staff, parents, students and community. 

We welcome all stake-holders as we implement our vision of being “A Place of Infinite Possibilities!” 

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact our Chief Education and Executive Officer (CEEO) John Colson at 887-6090 Ext. 225 or email: John_Colson@notes.k12.hi.us

For information on the benefits of being a public conversion charter school, click here.