What's in a Name?

Welcome to my blog, and to the Hale Kula Learning Center! I opened this program to combine my love of student-driven education with my passion for teaching, in a model that supports homeschooled students and students who need direct academic instruction. I know what you’re thinking.  What does all of this even mean? The best way to describe it is to start with the name.

The words Hale Kula loosely translate from Ō’lelo Hawai’i, the native language of Hawai’i, to “Schoolhouse.” Yes. Think of that old one-room schoolhouse model, where teachers, families, and community gather to support the learning of all the children. The program is based on this multi-age, collaborative learning environment. 

In our mixed-age classroom for grades 5-8, students learn side-by-side, take ownership of their learning, and move at a pace that honors their learning style, while ensuring that they’re ready and excited for whatever comes next in their learning journey. Through hands-on projects, joyful routines, and robust learning, your child will build a strong academic foundation while developing the character, creativity, and confidence to thrive.

We believe in:

• Belonging: Every child is known, seen, and celebrated.

• Mastery: Progress is guided by understanding—not quizzes and tests.

• Work that matters: Real-world projects, purposeful practice, experiential learning, and daily reflection.

• Family partnership: Open communication, shared goals, respecting family schedules, and frequent celebrations of growth.

  
  

Hale Kula Learning Center is an alternative to a traditional school setting and is a homeschool support and tutoring program. Like the schoolhouses of days gone by, we can adapt to the schedules of our families and students, while fostering a true love of learning. We offer an array of enrollment options.

Who we serve:

• Families who travel often or for long periods of time. We offer distance learning and hybrid learning programs, as well as short-term enrollment options.

• Families who homeschool, but would like to introduce their students to a classroom learning environment for some of the time. 

• Middle school homeschool students and their families who are looking for social groups, or students who need a break from large classes and overwhelming social scenes.

• Students looking for access to core subject learning in step with current practices (think: new math) or those who need to get caught up or gain skills to be ready for entry into traditional school settings.

• Students involved in sports, theater, music, etc., who benefit from extra practice and performance time during regular school hours.

• Homeschooled students who need to get ready for state-required assessments.

  
  

We also offer tutoring services for all students, no matter where they are in school, and support for students enrolled in online or hybrid schools who need a dedicated place to work and occasional support.

We have a full-day program that covers every core subject from Tuesday to Friday, leaving Mondays open for family exploration and learning together. Or students can enroll for two or three days, or for full-morning or full-afternoon classes only. We will make it work for you!

We also offer small-group and one-on-one tutoring sessions in the afternoons and take students on a case-by-case basis. We may accept rising fifth-graders into our tutoring programs.

The best way to learn more about who we are is to stop by for a chat and visit! You can text me anytime at (508)-939-0073, and I  will set something up.

Everyone agrees that educational options are valuable and that student education is not “one size fits all.” My goal, my passion, is actually to offer these other sizes. 

With aloha,

Gwyneth