International Studies Program
Students who participate in cultural exchanges and in multicultural clubs develop an appreciation and understanding of cultural differences and similarities of people around the world.
At ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY we inspire and enable students to be navigators of change and “Go Forward with Confidence” – I Mua Me Ka Ha‘aheo.
IPA offers various ways in which students can engage with international studies to promote our core values of the power of human kindness, generosity of spirit, commitment to excellence, ingenuity, and growth mindset.
There are various groups on campus that promote multiculturalism and a long-standing cultural exchange program.
ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY’s International Cultural and Educational Program was established in 2007 and is an annual student exchange between ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY and Instituto Thomas Jefferson (ITJ), Campus Querétaro, IPA’s sister school in Mexico.
During the fall break, IPA students travel to Querétaro for a two-week visit to the ITJ campus. In the spring, IPA hosts a group of ITJ students and their chaperones or two weeks in Hawaiʻi. The relationship between IPA and ITJ has developed into a strong learning partnership between middle and high school students in Mexico and Hawaiʻi.
The exchange program is about more than just learning and practicing the Spanish and English languages for the students. It’s an invaluable opportunity for students to understand different cultures, different customs, different ways of living, and different ways of seeing the world.
Model United Nations (MUN) Club is a simulation of the United Nations where students have the opportunity to learn about Global Issues and to represent a diplomat from a country in debates with other diplomats from other countries. We are teaming up with the MUN Club from Hanalani School as our mentor for this year. IPA students will be able to host their own MUN event and to participate in other MUN events in Hawaiʻi.
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish National Honor Society) is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and/or Portuguese with a mission to increase awareness of Spanish culture.
Academic criteria for student induction in SHH are as follows:
- the student must have a minimum cumulative average of 3.0
- the student mush have a grade of A or B in Spanish classes
- the student must be enrolled in a Spanish class at or above Spanish 4.
- the student must remain enrolled in a Spanish class in their senior year in order to remain a member of the honor society
The Japanese National Honor Society recognizes and encourages achievement and excellence in the study of the Japanese language.
Academic criteria for student induction in JNHS are as follows:
- the student has completed the first term of their second-year Japanese language course in middle/junior high or a senior high school
- the student has maintained a 3.5 GPA in Japanese courses and an overall 3.0 GPA.
