How we do school
Transforming education
to meet the demands
of an ever-changing world
Our schedule is UNIQUE
BLENDED LEARNING is an innovative approach to education that enables flexibility, enhances relationships between students, families, and school, and allows students to engage in hands-on, experiential learning. Our unique model fosters independence and equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st century.
Experiential, hands-on opportunities play a vital role in learning. Our teachers know how to keep students engaged with hands-on challenges and projects. And class Field Studies explore Hawai‘i’s unique cultural history and environment. These Field Studies engage our students with the social and environmental challenges that face our world, and show them how they can be part of the solution. This deepens their understanding and helps them make connections within their larger community.
At HTA, relationships are key. Parents and/or guardians play an important role in their children’s education. We call you their Learning Coach.
The Learning Coach role varies with the individual student and grade level, but ultimately you start as co-teacher and facilitator on the days when your child is working from home. Your role becomes more of a guiding one during middle and high school as you ensure your child is staying on track.
HTA provides training and resources for our Learning Coaches as well as opportunities to participate in their child’s learning journey. This includes parent-teacher and student-led conferences, volunteer opportunities, workshops, and our HTA ‘ohana committees, which we call HOCs. The strong sense of ‘ohana also runs through our Field Studies as parents and siblings are invited to join us as we explore our island communities.
Our parents enjoy being involved in their children’s education and the close relationships that are formed.
& CAREER
READY FOR THE WORLD
BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
Our schedule and programs set students up for success after graduation, improve college readiness, and cultivate employability. HTA students learn how to work independently, and they master the technical skills used in today’s global market.
Our innovative Career-Based Learning program allows high school students to step outside the classroom and engage in hands-on learning while earning credit. A wide range of community partners allows our students to dive into internships, experiential programs, jobs, or independent projects. Students gain the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to make a difference in the world around them. They can explore a diverse range of career pathways while building a high school portfolio that stands out.
We do school differently so we can make a difference. The concept of giving back and making a difference is embedded in much that we do at HTA. Our classes have raised money to supply water filters to the people of Ukraine, to support the anti-bullying work of B.R.A.V.E., and to buy books for the blind in the Hawai‘i State Public Library System. Students hold food drives and gather supplies for those in need. Field Studies often get us out clearing invasive species and protecting the ‘āina. And clubs focus on social justice issues such as DEI and community peace.
HTA students are athletes. artists. performers. activists. entrepreneurs. tech mavens.
They might be out catching the waves, getting ready for a major surf competition. Or practicing a body roll before a dance performance, or building a robot to compete in tech games, or attending a conference to make change in the world. One of the beauties of our flexible blended schedule is that it gives students more time to explore and develop their interests outside the classroom. They dedicate hours to their crafts, and their achievements are impressive. We are proud of them all.
Creds to photographer Mike Cerrone who was in the barrel with champion bodyboarder and HTA Distance Learning student Thomas R.
