Ewa Makai Middle dedicates new $24 million classroom wing

Ewa Makai Middle School dedicated a new classroom wing on Oct. 17 with special guests including First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, students, teachers, government partners and community members. Tours of the new classrooms were given by Ewa Makai Middle students and guests were treated to a variety of refreshments made by culinary students from James Campbell High, Kapolei High and Ewa Makai Middle.

The new sixth-grade wing was dedicated in a ceremony with special guests including First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, students, teachers, government partners and community members. Photo Credit: Department of Education

The new 24-room, two-story wing is accommodating approximately 450 new sixth-graders from feeder schools Ewa Elementary, Ewa Beach Elementary and Keoneula Elementary to complete the school’s sixth-to-eighth-grade middle school concept. 

“We are excited to have sixth graders on our campus for the first time this school year with our new classroom wing and we are thrilled to be able to expand our array of elective offerings,” said Principal Kim Sanders. “Mahalo to our students, parents, legislators and our community partners for their support throughout this expansion process.”

The new twenty-four room, two-story wing is accommodating approximately 450 new sixth-graders. Photo Credit: Department of Education

The new sixth-grade wing adds approximately 54,500 square feet of educational space for the school’s 1,400 students. Construction began in January 2017 and cost approximately $24 million to complete. Also included in the construction were covering for the amphitheatre and a courtyard fronting the new wing.

The upstairs classrooms will house three sixth-grade teams in innovative rooms that have the capability to open up into one large room for team-teaching lessons. Hallways designed with student work to promote a positive campus culture will be utilized for interdisciplinary units and project-based learning.

The new sixth-grade wing adds approximately 54,500 square feet of educational space for the school’s 1,400 students. Photo Credit: Department of Education

The downstairs classrooms will house electives like Spanish, aviation, engineering, coding, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), computer art, 3D design and health and wellness classes.

“The new wing was designed as a space for innovative learning to empower both students and teachers,” said Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area Superintendent Sean Tajima. "Collaborative learning environments like these are essential to creating engaging and inspiring educational experiences."

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