hawaii techChoosing a school for your child is a tough decision for many parents. Public school? Private school? Home school? Are there any other options? Yes, in fact, here on Maui we do have another option: public charter school for K through 12th grade. Hawaii Technology Academy is one of the charter school options available to Maui children. I recently visited with Shannon Cleary, the Director of Advancement, and Ray Mohrman, the Maui Coordinator/K-8 Homeroom Teacher, to find out more about this type of education.

HTA (Hawaii Technology Academy) differs from other programs in that it’s a hybrid education, meaning it combines online and face-to-face learning. It also partners educators with families, a.k.a. “learning coaches,” and students through customized educational plans that focus on student-centered education. HTA takes pride in keeping pace with global, pedagogical and technological evolution.

How have you seen HTA improve a student’s education/school experience?

“I have seen students who struggle in the traditional school model come to HTA and thrive because of the flexibility of the program. Students who might have been bored in traditional school have the opportunity to accelerate their program. Students who might have to take more time with their classes or who have an ‘untraditional’ schedule can tailor their program to their specific needs.” –Ray Mohrman)

What is your favorite thing about being part of the HTA program on Maui and where do you see it going in the future?

“My favorite thing is the possibilities of the program! We are in such an infant stage of the program and I’m excited to incorporate more service learning, internships and partnering more with community groups. I love being part of something new and supporting its growth. I love being part of a different model of school and exploring all the possibilities that come along with it.” (RM)

How often does the Maui HTA meet face-to-face? Also, what type of field trips and opportunities to learn with others are available?

“We meet face-to-face once a week at one of the three learning centers on Maui. This past year we did one field trip per month. We explored Iao Valley, Maui Ocean Center, Upcountry Halloween Pumpkin Farm and the Maui Tropical Plantation. We have ‘Meet and Greet’ events at beach parks at the start of each semester. I’m looking forward to more meaningful field trips next year that tie in even more with student courses.” (RM)

What advice would you give to parents considering HTA?

“Parents play an imperative role in students’ education. The majority of HTA families have a parent as a Learning Coach, who guides students’ work on a daily basis. Partnering with the on-island coordinator and educators, the parent is very hands-on. With that, the expectation of every parent is to be a mentor, motivator and monitor of student work. Another thing for parents to keep in mind is that HTA is not “home school” rather, it uses “blended learning” where every student and parent is supported by a team of highly qualified teachers.” –Shannon Cleary

What character traits/personality type(s) excel in a program like HTA?

“HTA’s curriculum is highly rigorous. Our students are diverse and enthusiastic, and our staff is dedicated and committed. The program requires high levels of time management, self-motivation, curiosity and responsibility.” (SC)

What is the enrollment process for HTA? When is the 2014-2015 application deadline?

“Keeping in mind that HTA is a public charter school, it is free of tuition for all students. The enrollment process has seven steps and can be found at http://myhta.org/. The deadline for the entire application process is August 1, 2014.” (SC)

If you’re interested in the Hawaii Technology Academy, be sure to check out the following:

ŸSchool Website http://myhta.org/

Information/Enrollment email [email protected] or [email protected] for Melissa Rivera, Maui HTA Enrollment Coordinator (JP)