Tutors in the Lahainaluna High School Ho’oko Math Program are scheduled to begin this school year in early September.

LAHAINA — The Lahainaluna High School Ho’oko Math Program found much success in the 2021-22 school year and is seeking another grant from the Lahaina Complex Education Foundation to continue the program this school year.

The objective of the program is to assist at-risk students increase their math skills and to perform at grade level.

The LHS Ho’oko Math Program is a peer tutoring program, and Math Teacher Michelle Abad currently serves as the coordinator.

Benefits of peer tutoring include improvements in academics, social behavior, discipline, peer relations, self-esteem, subject attitudes and school attendance.

With the grant funds for the previous school year, the program serviced students needing support in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Upperclassmen students volunteered to help support the needs of the program as peer tutors throughout the school year.

Student participants were identified and recommended to the tutoring program by their math teachers based on class performance. Students were carefully matched with their peer tutors based on interests and personalities to ensure an effective pairing.

As an incentive for participating, a pizza party celebration was held at the end of each semester for students and peer tutors. Students that were committed to attending sessions regularly and showed improvement in their math classes received a $25 Round Table gift card and a Certificate of Achievement. Tutors that were committed to supporting students weekly were also provided Certificates of Appreciation and a $25 Round Table gift card.

Overall, teachers with students participating in the program expressed support for the program and shared that student performance improved greatly when students were in attendance of tutoring sessions regularly.

Students that participated were able to successfully pass their math courses. The overall number of students failing math last school year at Lahainaluna High School dramatically decreased from the school year prior.

Lahainaluna High School is very appreciative of the opportunities provided by the Lahaina Complex Education Foundation and looks forward to a continued partnership this school year.