Kaupe’a Virtual Learning Program
About the Program
The Kaupe’a Virtual Learning Program offers a home learning opportunity for students in grades K-8 on Hawai’i Island ONLY, through Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School. Kaupe'a partners with the curriculum provider Venture Upward to offer a comprehensive, standards-based curriculum for each grade level.
Successful learners in this program must have the support of an adult from home, be independent and motivated learners and be able to utilize technology to communicate and submit weekly work.
Important Information
While Kaupe’a can offer a unique learning environment for your student(s), it is essential to understand the following regarding how to be successful in this program before completing an application:
1) The parent is the primary teacher and must therefore be available to assist their student(s) regularly. However, virtual support is available from the Kaupe'a teachers as well as from Venture Upward.
2) Students are required to complete and submit weekly assessments in core courses via the Venture Upward Learning Management System (TalentLMS) for report card grades and attendance. Therefore access to a computer and reliable internet is mandatory.
3) Your student will technically be a public school student and will therefore be required to participate in state testing. NWEA testing for grades K-11 is in Fall and can be done from home. SBA Testing for grades 3-8 is in Spring and MUST be done at a physical location with a certified proctor (Kaupe'a teacher). The in-person test is offered in Kona, Hilo and on campus at LCPCS. Scheduling is done in October so that families can plan accordingly for April/May testing dates.
4) Contact information including phone number, email address, mailing address and physical address must remain current throughout the school year. If changes occur at any time, prompt communication is requested.
How to Apply for ‘25-26 SY
The Kaupe’a Virtual Learning Program Application for the ‘25-26 SY will be available on this page starting March 3, 2025.
We are NOT accepting high school applications. ONLY current Kaupeʻa middle school students who have been successful in the program are permitted to advance to the high school level.
Applications with fraudulent misrepresentation may be disqualified at any time.
2025/2026 Kaupe'a Application Click Here
Families must submit the complete application electronically via email attachment to [email protected].
Phase I: Open Enrollment (March 3, 2025 - June 1, 2025)
During Phase I, received emailed applications will be reviewed. If complete, families will be notified of accepted applications, but enrollment will not be guaranteed at this time. Families with applications that have missing information will be notified so that corrections can be made. Open Enrollment will close at midnight on June 1, 2025.
If there is enough space for all applicants in Phase I, ALL students will be accepted and families will be notified by email by June 6, 2025. The Post-Acceptance Process is explained further below.
If the number of applicants exceeds the space available for the ‘25-26 SY, all complete applications received during Phase I will go into a lottery. If the lottery occurs, you will be notified by email by June 6, 2025 if your student is or is not accepted. If your student is accepted, the Post-Acceptance Process is explained further below. If your student is not accepted, they will be transferred to a waitlist and you will be notified up until the start of the school year in early August if a space becomes available.
If your student is accepted, an email response from the family, either accepting or declining, MUST be done by June 20, 2025. Failure to respond will result in your student(s) being waitlisted for Phase II.
If there is space remaining after Phase I, then Phase II will take place.
Phase II: If space allows (June 2 – July 25, 2025)
If space remains available, Phase II will take place.
During Phase II, received emailed applications will be reviewed. If complete, families will be notified of accepted applications, but enrollment will not be guaranteed at this time. Families with applications that have missing information will be notified so that corrections can be made. Phase II will close at midnight on July 25, 2025.
Once the second lottery occurs, you will be notified by July 31, 2025 if your student is or is not accepted. If your student is accepted, the Post-Acceptance Process is explained below. If your student is not accepted, they will be transferred to a waitlist and you will be notified if a space becomes available.
If your student is not accepted during Phase I or Phase II and a space opens up during semester 1, you may be contacted at the beginning of December to see if you are interested in enrolling for the second semester.
Post-Acceptance Process
Once a student has been accepted to Kaupe’a, a series of intake steps must be completed, including a Geographic Exception Request (for those living outside the Laupāhoehoe catchment area), completion of school, state, and federal forms, and grade level course selection.
Due dates for the intake steps will be provided, and families are expected to abide by them so that students are prepared to begin the new school year on schedule.
If you have questions, please email your questions to [email protected].