ʻĪAO SCHOOL

News and Announcements

8/17/26

We are thrilled to share some incredible news with our school community: ʻĪao School has been officially named a 2026 School of Distinction by AMLE, the Association for Middle Level Education!

This prestigious national honor recognizes middle schools that exemplify best practices in adolescent education and demonstrate a deep commitment to continuous improvement. 

ʻĪao School earned this recognition through a rigorous review process that evaluated our programs against AMLE’s foundational framework, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe. The evaluation included a comprehensive school-wide assessment and interviews with our staff, students, and families. 

"It is an honor to recognize ʻĪao School as a 2026 AMLE School of Distinction," said Chris Woodside, CEO of AMLE. "Their dedication to fostering a thriving middle school community sets a powerful example, and we’re excited to share their story with educators worldwide."

This award belongs to our entire community. It is a direct reflection of the hard work of our dedicated teachers and staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the unwavering support of you—our families.

As the only AMLE School of Distinction in Maui County, ʻĪao School will be highlighted in AMLE’s global network of exemplary middle schools, and our team will have the opportunity to present our school’s achievements at the 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in Nashville, TN. Please view our AMLE Profile Page at amle.org/iao.

Thank you, families, for your continued partnership and for helping make ʻĪao School “The Place to Be” for our young adolescents to grow and thrive.

ʻO ʻĪao kahi aloha

8/16/26

School Resumes Tuesday: We hope everyone stayed safe during Tropical Storm Lālā. All DOE schools across the state are closed tomorrow 8/17 and ʻĪao School will reopen Tuesday 8/18.

Mahalo to Costco! ʻĪao School was recently awarded over 500 student backpacks and a $500 gift card to help restock our classrooms. If your child needs a backpack or additional supplies, please reach out to their Advisory teacher or Counselor—or have your child contact them directly. A huge mahalo to Costco for supporting the students of ʻĪao School!

Afterschool UPLINK Starts August 24: UPLINK is a positive, free, and safe afterschool program for students. Please view the new UPLINK Program Guide and Registration form at this LINK. Hard copies are available at the Main Office. There is no deadline to join, but space is limited in some classes. Forms are accepted at the Main Office - no digital registration.

Free Meals Application: ʻĪao School needs families to apply for free and reduced-price meals to help us qualify for crucial Title 1 funding. This federal money, which has provided over $300,000 annually for the last decade, supports essential school programs, technology, and curriculum. Even if you're unsure if you qualify, we strongly encourage you to apply. You can do so easily online at ezmealapp.com or pick up a paper application from the Main Office. The deadline to apply is September 15 but don’t wait. Your application directly helps our school, so please apply today!

Save the Date – Open House! ʻĪao School’s Open House and Fall Community Meetings are coming next month, so mark your calendars:

• 6th Grade: Wednesday, September 9 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

• 7th & 8th Grades: Thursday, September 10 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Updated Family Handbook: The 2026-2027 Iao School Handbook for Students and Families is now available. We encourage families to read through it together and bring any questions to our staff at Registration. Students will receive a planner that includes a hard copy version of the Handbook in the first week of school.

Questions? Please call our Main Office at (808) 727-5200 weekdays between 7:00 AM and 4:30 PM.