The Assets Difference
Our School is for Students Who Learn Differently
Families who choose Assets know their children are bright and talented, and want a school that provides the right support for how they learn best. As the only K-12 school in Hawai‘i specializing in educating children who are gifted and/or have language-based learning differences, our program is designed for students who have:
- Reading challenges / dyslexia
- Math challenges / dyscalculia
- Writing challenges / dysgraphia
- A twice exceptional (2e) learning profile: intellectually gifted, with one or more learning differences like dyslexia or ADHD
Everything we do is designed for our students with intentionality. At Assets, supporting gifted children and those with language-based learning differences is the core of our mission.
Our Teachers Have Specialized Training
At Assets School, we are committed to empowering students through evidence-based, multisensory instruction that meets them where they are. One of the most powerful tools in our teaching toolkit is the Slingerland® Approach, a method of teaching that is especially effective for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. It supports reading, writing, spelling, and handwriting through multi-sensory learning.
Whereas traditional classroom instruction often teaches skills in isolation and relies heavily on memorization, Slingerland strategies are integrated into every lesson plan, with practice and repetition embedded throughout. They are also incorporated into science, social studies, and math lessons when appropriate to support skill generalization.
Assets is proud to be a leader in Slingerland-trained instruction in Hawai‘i, holding the distinction of having the highest number of Slingerland-trained teachers as well as the highest trained teachers of any school in the state.
Our Curriculum Helps Students Achieve More
Students at Assets flourish because they receive the guidance and support that fits how they learn best. Our approach combines structure, support, and innovation to help each learner thrive:
Small Class Sizes
8:1 student-teacher ratio ensures individualized attention and meaningful connections.
Daily Learning Support
Tools like audiobooks, text-to-speech, and guided instruction help all students access a rigorous curriculum.
Differentiated Academics
Students are grouped not only by grade but also by skill and need, so learning is tailored in every classroom.
Executive Functioning
Visual cues, clear expectations, and organized spaces teach students to plan, organize, and manage tasks independently.
Accommodations for Success
Flexible ways to show mastery ensure every learner can thrive without lowering expectations.
Multisensory Lessons
Hands-on tools like math manipulatives and modeling tools engage multiple senses to leverage students' strengths.
Our Learning Goes Beyond the Classroom
Our learning goes beyond the classroom at every grade level. In K–8, students explore and excel in areas they love through frequent, hands-on enrichment classes. These experiences build confidence, creativity, and joy in learning, helping every student end the day feeling capable and strong.
Middle school students deepen their connection to the world around them through a two-year place-based learning program. In the first year, they explore makai (ocean) environments, and in the second, they explore mauka (mountain) locations. Field trips to culturally significant sites, or wahi pana, allow students to connect science, history, and stewardship, making learning dynamic and grounded in real-world experience.
In high school, our required Mentorship Program extends learning into career-related settings, where students apply their strengths and interests while building responsibility, self-esteem, and real-world connections under the guidance of community role models. Each year, students showcase their accomplishments at the Mentorship Expo, sharing their growth with parents, mentors, and faculty.
