Joyful Beginnings: Kindergarten at HPA

What does a joyful, supportive start to school look like? In this episode of the Hawaiʻi Preparatory Podcast, we focus on Kindergarten at HPA and the foundation it provides for lifelong learning.

Hosted by Assistant Director of Admission Stephanie Stewart, the conversation features Lower School Principal, Dora Kwong and Kindergarten Teacher, Dee Walker as they share HPA’s mission, values, and approach to early childhood education. Together, they explore joyful learning, systems thinking, specialist classes, counseling support, and how HPA partners closely with families to support each child’s growth.

From daily rhythms and curriculum design to parent communication and transitions into school, this episode offers an in-depth look at how HPA’s Kindergarten program nurtures confident, curious learners from the very beginning.

Host

• Stephanie Stewart, Assistant Director of Admission

Panelists

• Dora Kwong, Lower School Principal
• Dee Walker, Kindergarten Teacher

Episode Chapters

• 0:00 – Introductions: Lower School Principal
• 2:52 – Mission, Values & Vision
• 3:26 – Systems Thinking & curriculum design
• 4:52 – Lower School fast facts
• 6:15 – Lower School philosophy
• 8:20 – Specialist classes
• 9:40 – Counseling support
• 11:05 – Capstone program
• 13:08 – After-school program
• 14:30 – Introduction: Kindergarten teacher
• 16:12 – Joyful learning & Kindergarten philosophy
• 24:00 – Weekly schedule
• 27:24 – Admissions key dates
• 29:58 – Supporting conflict as growth
• 32:18 – Parent communication beyond conferences
• 33:28 – Supporting transitions
• 38:28 – Parent involvement opportunities
• 42:24 – Homework
• 45:17 – Supporting students and families who need extra help
• 46:47 – Preparing children for Kindergarten