Nānākuli Elementary School principal Lisa Ann Higa has been recently recognized as Hawaii’s 2021 National Distinguished Principal (NDP) by The Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association (HEMSAA).
NDP is an annual award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) distinguishing elementary and middle school principals throughout the country for her commendable contributions and victories.
“Principal Higa is an amazing principal who inspires her school community to do their best for their students and families,” Nānākuli-Wai‘anae Complex Area Superintendent Disa Hauge said. “When you spend time at her school you see her hand in everything, her focus on making sure all staff and students receive the individualized support they need, and her joy seeing the achievements of others.”
Being Nānākuli Elementary’s principal for seven years, Higa has been instrumental to the school’s advancement and successes including student academic achievement, teacher retention (10-percentage-point increase since 2015) and parent engagement.
Among these accomplishments are student proficiency increase in science and math (science proficiency increased from 30% in school year 2014-15 to 42% in school year 2018-19 and math proficiency increased from 2% in school year 2013-14 to 45% in school year 2018-19) as well as growth in third-grade literacy with the percentage of students at, near or above grade level increasing to 71% from 8%, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education reported.
Higa also launched “Talk Story with Principal Higa” meetings and monthly parent-teacher meetings, which became an avenue for a stronger partnership with parents and keeping them engaged.