Academics

Academic Plan Overview

Students at Kohala High School typically take the following courses each year: 

Grading Policy

Kohala High School uses standards-based education and standard-based grading to comply with the Hawaii Department of Education. The purpose of grade reports at Kohala High School is to provide students and parents/guardians with specific and useful information regarding a student’s college and career readiness in terms of their mastery of content standards. 

Content and skills for specific courses are contained in Hawaii Content and Performance Standards,  the Common Core State Standards, New Generation Science Standards, and/or CTE pathway standards.

There is no “D” grade in standards-based education or standards-based grading at Kohala High School.  If a student doesn’t understand the basic content or skills, he/she is not proficient and therefore, has not met the standard.  If a student has not demonstrated an understanding of the basic content or skills that are identified by this standard or course, the grade is “F.”

One serious implication of this grading system is that a student should not be complacent or satisfied with being a “C” student.  After “C” there is only “F”-Does not meet.  A “C” student risks the chance of falling to “F,” if he/she does not or cannot demonstrate understanding of the basic skills and concepts of a subject area.  If a student is not proficient he/she may not be prepared for career and college.

In our goal to teach students to be ready for career and college, there needs to be accuracy in grading content and skills.  This grading system eliminates personalities, preferences, behavior, and any other factor used in the past to determine a grade.  This grading system is intended to provide uniformity across all public schools and a clearer picture of career and college readiness.