ʻIolani’s new Lower School facilities will include an expansive and dedicated K–1 community. The design features 10 classrooms in five buildings that uniquely blend outdoor learning spaces with indoor instructional areas. Each classroom opens onto the center of the community and a large natural playground. The design will bring natural elements indoors, including gardens and treehouse reading spaces built inside of classrooms. The K–1 community will be structured to blend nature and manmade elements and allow creativity, imagination and curiosity to thrive.

Teaching space within the new K–1 community will more than double the current available learning area per student in ʻIolani’s kindergarten and first grade classrooms. With larger classrooms reducing density and encouraging growth, teachers and students will interact in a flexible environment that adapts to their needs, and allows seamless co-teaching and co-learning. Interior spaces—configurable for both individual study and group collaboration—will support multidisciplinary learning and allow educational programs to evolve and keep pace with our ever-changing world.

Construction of the new K–1 community will comprise: five freestanding buildings, each containing two classrooms that more than double the teaching space of the current K–1 classrooms, allowing for a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 for kindergarten and 16:1 for first grade; a park-like natural playground encircled by winding covered walkways that will connect the five buildings; and space for an additional 24 kindergarten students, bringing ʻIolani School’s kindergarten classes to 96 students overall.

“We are very excited that our new K–1 community will enable approximately 30 percent more local students to enter ʻIolani in kindergarten—the entry point of greatest demand—and experience the nurturing, small school atmosphere and intimate learning environment for which the school is known,” says Jenai Wall, chair of the ʻIolani School Board of Governors.

“ʻIolani has long recognized the critical role early childhood experiences play in establishing a foundation for lifelong learning. That our new K–1 community will allow more local children to benefit from the school’s commitment to building self-confidence while providing a strong foundation of educational excellence at a very young age is especially meaningful to us,” she adds.

Two additional new multipurpose buildings will be constructed to serve the entire Lower School community. These buildings will include learning labs and studios, which will be connected by a shared performance space. Highlights of these buildings include high-tech science labs, a state-of-the-art maker space and technology center, a religion education classroom, flexible workshop spaces for English and mathematics excellence and dance and music studios.

“Whether it’s project-based learning, hands-on experiments, digital production or live performance, the new Lower School labs and studios will give children in the entire Lower School access to unique spaces that incubate creativity, collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning,” says Cottrell.

In 2017, ʻIolani will also break ground on an on-campus residence for local, domestic and international students. The completed building will house 112 students in grades 9–12 and will be built where the current head of school residence is located, near the school’s chapel.

Reinstallation of the school’s residential program will also address one of the goals of the Strategic Plan: “To create meaningful, sustainable and reciprocal global relationships that stimulate the exchange of ideas, foster a deeper cultural awareness, and build students’ desire to improve the world around them.”

All ʻIolani students will benefit from an ability to communicate with—and appreciate the perspectives of—people who come from a wide range of different backgrounds and traditions. ʻIolani has set a goal for all students to develop the skills to be successful leaders in the competitive global marketplace, while also having the empathy necessary to act effectively in the cause of helping others on an international scale.

“ʻIolani’s residential program will house local, international and mainland students with diverse backgrounds and experiences,” says Cottrell. “An education that includes cross-cultural experiences for all ʻIolani students will build truly meaningful and relevant competencies for their future careers.”

ʻIolani was originally founded by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma as a boarding school and housed students from around the world from 1862 through 1959. Currently, more than 50 international students attend ʻIolani. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, perhaps the school’s most famous alumnus, was a boarding student who graduated in 1882.

“As one of the nation’s premier independent schools, we believe offering a boarding option presents an opportunity for Oʻahu to be positioned as a premier destination for a top college preparatory school education,” adds Cottrell. “ʻIolani’s boarding program marks a significant step in establishing this reputation around the world.”