Kaunakakai School Meets Benchmark

School granted AYP appeal

On Aug. 27, Kaunakakai Elementary School officials and teachers breathed a sigh of relief after learning their school met federal benchmarks for adequate yearly progress (AYP) in math and reading scores this year.

In July, the school was denied “good standing” status after missing the standards by 1 percent. Later that month, Principal Janice Espiritu submitted a request to appeal the results, which would have kept the school in restructuring. State officials reviewed the appeal and reversed the school’s status to “unconditional good standing.”

“We needed this,” Espiritu said. “It was crucial for us to make AYP this year. Everyone is so proud and thrilled.”

because on a hot day we get a wet down,” said fifth-grader Tashady Florendo, as she gleefully leapt through the arches of spraying water. “I love my school!”