HIDOE honors Mānana, Mililani Mauka and Wilson elementary schools for excellence in student achievement

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) today honored Mānana Elementary, Mililani Mauka Elementary and Wilson Elementary on Oʻahu as 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools for their high academic achievement.

For over four decades, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Program has honored public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on high academic performance and progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The three Hawai‘i schools were nominated by HIDOE and selected for the 2025 honor prior to the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to discontinue the program in August 2025.

“Blue Ribbon Schools have historically represented the very best in teaching and learning across the country,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “We are extremely proud to honor Mānana Elementary, Wilson Elementary and Mililani Mauka Elementary as models of innovation, excellence and student success, where students are empowered to be globally competitive and locally committed. This achievement reflects the dedication of students, teachers, staff and families working together.”

All three schools — each a first-time recipient — earned recognition under the former federal program’s “Exemplary High-Performing Schools” category, ranking among Hawai‘i’s highest-performing schools based on state assessment results.

The three schools will be recognized at the Nov. 13 Board of Education meeting, with a formal state celebration planned for spring 2026. In light of the federal program’s cancellation, HIDOE is developing a state-level Blue Ribbon Schools program to continue honoring Hawai‘i schools that exemplify excellence in student learning and achievement.

중ānana Elementary

Mānana Elementary’s academic performance exceeded statewide averages by 24 percentage points in English language arts, 39 percentage points in math and 36 percentage points in science. Serving approximately 270 students in the Pearl City Complex, the school is dedicated to providing a high-quality, standards-based education that prepares students to thrive as responsible global citizens.

Mānana emphasizes project-based learning, where students tackle real-world challenges that build creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. This approach, coupled with personalized learning and data-driven instruction, helps every student reach their full potential. Social-emotional learning is woven into daily classroom practice, and students have access to a variety of enriching extracurricular activities including sports, student government, robotics, math olympiad and book club.

밀리라니 마우카 초등학교

Mililani Mauka Elementary’s academic performance exceeded statewide averages by 29 percentage points in English language arts, 42 points in math, and 34 points in science. With an enrollment of more than 600 students, the school emphasizes nurturing well-rounded, reflective learners.

Key drivers of Mililani Mauka’s success include a fully licensed, experienced teaching staff, data-driven, grade-level collaboration, and ongoing professional development focused on foundational reading and inclusive practices. The school’s strong commitment to social-emotional learning and technology integration — with 1:1 devices and digital learning platforms — further supports student growth. Extracurricular opportunities such as student council, intramural sports, VEX Robotics, Mauka Singers and an agriculture technology program offer students authentic, hands-on learning experiences.

Wilson Elementary

Mayor John H. Wilson Elementary exceeded statewide averages by 21 percentage points in English language arts, 33 points in math, and 24 points in science. Serving more than 500 students in the Kalani Complex, Wilson fosters a strong growth mindset and prioritizes social-emotional learning to ensure that every child feels safe, valued and ready to learn.

Wilson’s robust curriculum includes STEM, library studies, physical education, music, world language, Hawaiian studies and computer science. After-school programs such as band, sports, performing arts, and language clubs help develop the whole child. The school emphasizes visible learning, encouraging students to set goals, track their progress and reflect on their growth. Instruction is differentiated through small-group learning and rich student dialogue designed to deepen understanding. Teachers use data to inform academic, behavioral and social-emotional supports tailored to individual needs.