WAIAKEA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

HONORS PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Honors program offers an academically rigorous Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science curricula. It is for students who thrive in classes that challenge them. Students learn to collaborate with others, take on leadership roles, and participate in teacher and student-directed projects in all content areas. Our students participate in comprehensive extension lessons and activities. Core classes are taught at an appropriate academic pace which challenges every student’s ability to think and learn beyond the proficient level of the National Standards.

Successful Honors students are expected to do homework, meet deadlines regularly, and complete quality projects on time. They work closely with their teachers but are expected to take the initiative to seek help when needed. These students desire the challenge of a rigorous program.  They use time management to balance school, family time, and extracurricular activities. They have the ability to analyze academic content in a way that shows that they have a deeper understanding and the ability to make a variety of connections between academic content areas, texts, and the world.

Applications are required for Honors.  Students are not grandfathered into Honors for the following year. Students must reapply and meet the criteria for each grade level in order to qualify for all English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies Honors courses. All current 7th Grade Honors students must reapply for 8th Grade

For Honors Math, please see the Honors Math Application Information table below. For Honors Math, all students in Grade 6 and Grade 7 Honors/High will need to meet the criteria for entrance into 7th Grade and 8th Grade Honors. All students currently in an Honors/High Math class do not need to fill out an application and will automatically be signed up for Algebra Readiness testing. The Honors Math application link below is for students who are not currently enrolled in an Honors/High Math class.

Honors Application Process:

1. Decide which Honors courses your child will be applying for. Check the entrance criteria for EACH content area.
2. Those interested in applying for Honors will need to complete the Honors Application Google Form for EACH of the core content area they are applying for. For example, if my child is interested in applying for Science Honors and ELA Honors, then the Science Application and the ELA Application must be submitted (2 courses = 2 applications).

1. NOTE: For Honors Math, students currently enrolled in Honors/High Math do not need to complete an Honors Application. Please see the Honors Math Application Information Table below.

3. Your child will complete his/her testing by mid-May and receive grades from his/her content area teacher in the area being applied for.
4. Families will receive notification of Honors placement between June 1-13, 2025. Please note that information regarding placement will be emailed to your Parent Square account or for new families, the account that was listed on the Honors Application Google Form Sign-Up Sheet.

All Honors Applications are due by Friday, March 28, 2025

Students and families should make careful, thoughtful decisions when applying for an Honors course. No schedule changes will be allowed. Any student who fails an Honors course will need to recover the subject area credit in a Regular level course through an approved credit recovery program at their own expense.

Contact Information: For Non-Math Honors courses should email Schoolwide Coordinator Amy Var at  amy.var@k12.hi.us. For Math Honors email Math Department Head Annie Kitamura at annie.kitamura@k12.hi.us.

HONORS CRITERIA AT A GLANCE

Please scroll down for more information

HONORS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS:

• Developing critical thinking by analyzing texts, evaluating ideas, and making connections across literature.
• Writing clear, well-structured essays, research papers, and creative pieces.
• Engaging in meaningful discussions, sharing insights, and contributing thoughtful perspectives.
• Deepening understanding of literary concepts, themes, and historical contexts through in-depth exploration.

Application Criteria for Honors English Language Arts:

1. Level 3 (Proficient) Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) Reading scores (or equivalent assessments)
2. -Students going into 7th grade need to have an I-Ready reading spring score (6th late or higher)

-Students going into 8th grade need to have an I-Ready reading spring score (7th late or higher)

3. Grade of a B or higher in your current ELA course
4. Complete the ELA Honors Application Link. Please note that submitting this form does not guarantee entry into an Honors course.

HONORS SCIENCE:

WIS offers Honors Science courses for both 7th and 8th Grade students. These accelerated courses challenge students to engage in deeper scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and advanced problem-solving. Through hands-on investigations, data analysis, and real-world applications, students will explore Earth (8th), and Life Sciences (7th) at a higher level of rigor.

Honors Science students are expected to meet deadlines, submit high-quality work on time, and actively participate in discussions, experiments, and group collaborations. A higher level of reasoning is required as students analyze scientific phenomena, develop well-supported explanations, and communicate their findings effectively.

A defining feature of Honors Science is the independent inquiry or engineering study, where students conduct original research and apply the scientific method or engineering design process. Students will have the opportunity to present their work at the Science Fair, with the potential to compete at higher levels. This course demands commitment, initiative, and perseverance in both academic and laboratory settings.

Application Criteria for Honors Science:

1. Level 3 (Proficient) scores on the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) for Reading (or equivalent assessments) and Level 3 (Proficient) scores on the SBA for Math (or equivalent assessments).
2. Grade of a B or higher in the subject area you are applying for Honors in Science.
3. Complete the Science Honors Application Link. Please note that submitting this form does not guarantee entry into an Honors course.

HONORS SOCIAL STUDIES:

WIS offers Honors Social Studies courses for both 7th and 8th Grade students. These accelerated courses are designed to enrich and deepen students’ understanding of historic and contemporary issues and themes. The curriculum demands diligence with timelines and due dates, as well as participation in class activities and discussions.

A unique feature of our Honors Social Studies program is the mandatory completion of a National History Day project. This engaging, hands-on experience allows students to conduct in-depth historical research and present their findings in creative and scholarly ways.

Application Criteria for Honors Social Studies:

1. Level 3 (Proficient) Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) Reading scores (or equivalent assessments)
2. Grade of a B or higher in your current Social Studies course
3. Complete the Social Studies Honors Application Link. Please note that submitting this form does not guarantee entry into an Honors course.

HONORS MATH:

WIS Honors Math courses cultivate confident and independent life-long learners by providing an accelerated pathway for students to develop advanced mathematical skills. Through rigorous problem-solving and critical thinking, students will explore complex concepts, strengthening their ability to apply mathematical knowledge to solve real-world challenges. These courses emphasize clear communication of mathematical ideas, empower students to become effective problem solvers, and articulate their reasoning with clarity and precision.

The Math Progression chart below shows the different pathways for Math moving from WIS into WHS.

Acceptance into WIS Honors Math will be based on the specific grade level criteria listed below. All students currently enrolled in Honors must meet the entrance criteria for the next grade level to qualify for Honors Math the following year.

*Your child will be pulled from his/her regular classes to complete the test. Your child will be responsible for completing any work that he/she misses due to testing.

***The Algebra Readiness Test is one of the criteria for entry into an Honors Math class. Please complete this sign-up form if you are interested in Honors Math classes for school year 2025-2026. Any student not currently enrolled in Honors who wishes to be considered for the program must sign up for Algebra Readiness Testing by submitting this form with parent approval. Submitting this form does not guarantee entry to an Honors Math Course. Completing this form means that you are giving consent for your child to apply for Honors Math and take the Algebra Readiness Test.

Please have your child bring the following for Algebra Readiness Testing: pencil, eraser, book to read (if you finish a session early), water bottle, and a small snack.

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Thank you for your interest in our WIS Honors Program. We look forward to working with your child!