Fernandes Lauded Nationally For Effective School Leadership

Kaimuki Middle principal Frank Fernandes

Kaimuki Middle School principal Frank Fernandes was named MetLife’s Hawaii Middle School Principal of the Year last month, and he will be honored Sept. 19-22 during the Principals Institute and Awards Gala with his peers in Washington, D.C.

Fernandes has spent more than three decades in public education, most of them at East Oahu schools and the last 26 at Kaimuki Middle. He also was vice principal at Kaiser, Kalani and Kaimuki high schools – and was honored once before as Principal of the Year, in 2000 at KMS.

The middle school is where he truly established his vision for student achievement. After his first 10 years at the school, standardized test scores moved from fifth among middle schools to first in the state, and in 2010-11, nearly half of the students made the honor roll, achieving a 3.5 or better GPA.

“Quiet and effective best describes this outstanding school administrator who

acts on his beliefs,” said Patricia Hamamoto, former DOE superintendent and current Saint Louis School principal. “He has the courage to step up and speak out on issues that impact student learning.”

Koko Head Lions Club vice principal Roger Izuka said Fernandes has “created a school of the heart, where students, faculty, staff and administrators have a significant respect for each other and their campus.”

Waialua High principal Randi Porras-Tang, who led Kalani from 1990 to 2006 and was Falcon vice principal from 1987-1990, was named Hawaii High School Principal of the Year. She will join Fernandes at ceremonies in the nation’s Capitol.