In 2016, leadership in the Hawai‘i State Department of Education made focused efforts to study “bright spots” within the system. The purpose was to take a closer look at “what’s working and how can we do more of it? That’s the bright-spot philosophy in a single question” (Heath & Heath, 2010, p. 41). Waikiki Elementary School was identified as a bright spot, and the purpose of this project was to investigate: what key people, initiatives, and programs positively impacted the school culture and climate at Waikiki Elementary School over a fifteen year time period? Qualitative methods are applied to design and carry out a portrait study, which included interviewing 22 members of the school community. Analysis of the data revealed how one particular school initiative—philosophy for children Hawai’i (p4cHI)—had a positive impact. p4cHI helped create a school culture and climate characterized by intellectual safety, learner-centered inquiry, integration of experience, and a reputation to be proud of. While no one school community is the same, the research conducted aimed to shed light on the factors that might help cultivate and nurture a more positive elementary school culture and climate in other contexts.

Research Question:

What key people, initiatives, and programs positively impacted the school culture and climate at Waikiki Elementary School?