Real-School » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that isn’t answered here? Email it to us at faq@real-school.com

What exactly is Real School?

Real School is a non-profit corporation formed to promote educational discussion and opportunity for the residents of the Big Island of Hawaii. Real School’s has tax exempt status as a non-profit 501(c)(3) with the IRS.

So Real School is not an actual school with classrooms and such?

Real School is the name of this web site. When this venture was started, we envisioned starting a private school aimed at the many students of Puna who are frustrated with the lack of challenge and meaning in their present school. But a private school means tuition. Fortunately, the Hawai’i Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School (commonly known as HAAS) has decided to host a program called “Relevant Education for Accelerated Learners". This means the 40 highest potential students are welcome, not the 40 richest. This means energies can be devoted fully to student learning, not managing a private school. This means we are part of a community of learners with committed parental involvement, smaller class sizes, and more voice for students, teachers, and parents alike.

We are very excited about this opportunity to expand our service to the area’s highest potential students without excluding the many families who couldn’t afford a private school tuition. Find out all about the REAL class using the drop down menu way above called “REAL Class”.

In other words:
“Real School” is the name of this website and of the non-profit corporation.
“REAL Class” is a program with 40 students at HAAS Charter School.

How does this website promote educational discussion and opportunity?

You will find on this website dozens of discussion forums regarding education.

The “Match-Ed Forums"are something of an educational match-making service for people to share their expertise with each other informally. The Match-Ed Forums also contain areas for people giving lessons of some sort, clubs and hobbies, as well as an area for folks providing other services and local events. More details.

A variety of educational topics are specified under the “Education Forums" button above. It’s like interactive letters-to-the-editor discussions of many different aspects of schooling on the Big Island.

Each school on the island has their own forum to discuss issues specific to their school. Use the “School Forums” button above to discuss individual public, charter, and privates schools around the Big Island.

Does it cost anything?

Nope.

Do I have to be a member to use this site?

Anyone can view the forums as a guest, but to join the discussion you will need to sign up, or register, as a new member. You will create a username and password. Everyone will see your username (or screen name if you choose) when you join a discussion, but only you will know your password. Then the next time you visit you simply log-in.

Should I use my real name as a username?

That’s up to you. Even if you didn’t use your real name, you would still be able to “sign” your post with your real name, if you choose to. Of course signing your post would give more credence to what you have to say, and you are encouraged to do so.

Will I get a bunch of junk mail if I do this?

This website and the forums module are hosted by pMachine.com which stays up on the latest ways spammers try to scoop up email addresses from discussion forums. pMachine has impressed us with their state-of-the-art privacy measures and we feel spamming won’t be much of an issue at all for our members.