Transitional Kindergarten
Where wonder meets readiness
Our Transitional Kindergarten program bridges the gap between early childhood and formal schooling — giving children ages 4–6 a rich, unhurried year of deep learning rooted in nature, culture, and creativity.
Three pillars of learning
Pillar one
Gardening, Natural Sciences & Math
Our school garden is a living laboratory. Children plant, tend, harvest, and compost — learning biology, ecology, nutrition, and responsibility through direct relationship with the soil. Natural science extends to tide pools, national parks, native forests, farms and local businesses with every field trip.
Pillar two
Arts, Music & Cultural Practices
Children engage daily with visual arts, music, and living Hawaiian traditions. Cultural practices are not a unit — they are woven into every week. Poi pounding, oli (chant), and lei making connect children to the land and to each other. Art materials are a gateway to an infinite creative process.
Pillar three
Reading, Writing & Languages
Literacy grows from stories children care about — nature journals, class-made books, letters to friends, and tales rooted in the island they know. Three languages are woven into every day practice : English, French through songs and conversation, and American Sign Language through daily signing routines. Children leave as confident, multilingual communicators.
Program structure
Two years, two pathways
Our TK program serves children ages 4–6 across two developmental cohorts, each with its own rhythm and focus.
Junior TK
Four and five-year-olds are ready for longer investigations, collaborative projects, and more complex problem-solving. Junior TK builds the social, emotional, and academic foundations that make the second year shine.
Senior TK
Five and six-year-olds take on leadership roles, mentor younger students, and engage in sustained, complex learning projects. Senior TK graduates leave confident, curious, and genuinely excited for what comes next.
Shared Learning
Mixed-age learning is a cornerstone of our TK program. Older children deepen their understanding by teaching; younger children are inspired and challenged by their peers. Together they tend the garden, make music, and explore the island.
Come see it for yourself
Words can only tell you so much. Schedule a morning tour and watch the magic happen in real time.