Hongwanji Mission School

From the page to the stage! Stories at Sunrise showcase highlights the incredible journey of our K-3rd graders in drama class.

Each year, classes take a book and breathe life into it—watching their storytelling grow longer, more complex, and more confident with every grade level is an absolute joy.

Part 2 of our Japan Study Tour did not disappoint!

We’ve officially covered it all:
-Reflection and history at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
-Traditional Kaiseki dinner on the beautiful island of Miyajima
-Stepping back in time through the historic streets of Kyoto
- Diving headfirst into Tokyo culture

They arrived home with packed suitcases, full stomachs, and a completely new perspective on the world.

Japan Study Tour-our 8th graders had the trip of a lifetime.
Here’s a quick recap of the first half of their journey:
📍 Fukuoka & Okinawa: Taking in the sights!
🕊️ History & Honor: Visiting Himeyuri-No-Tou, the Peace Museum, and Okinawa Peace Memorial Park.
🦈 Pure Wonder: Exploring the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
🍍 Sweet Stops: Fun at the Nago Pineapple Park!
🏫 Global Connections: Visiting our amazing sister school, Keiai Elementary and Middle, followed by the start of our cozy home stays!

Things got seriously heated at the 7th-grade boat race today! With zero motors and zero paddles, our student sailors had to rely entirely on the breeze. Even when the wind changed its mind, our 7th graders never lost their spark. Way to navigate the waves, team!

Brains and bellies full! 

Our Middle School students had an amazing walking field trip to the Hawaiian Mission Homes! They explored history at every turn on the way there, and explored the local food scene on the way back with delicious stops at Marugame Udon and Nice to C U.

Nothing beats learning on the move! 

📸 Credit: Mr. Funk

Our P.E. classes are turning into a gymnastics arena! Our little athletes are working hard on their pikes, straddle jumps, forward rolls, and cartwheels. Watch out, world—Olympics 2040, here we come!

Sink or swim? Our 7th graders put their engineering skills to the test. They’ve designed and built custom boats, and soon it's time to see if they’ll float or flop in the school pool! Who is your money on?

Metamorphosis? More like Meta-MORE-fun-osis! We had a "fly" time today with !    From brave moments holding tiny caterpillars to transforming into butterflies ourselves, it was a day filled with wonder and wings!

The energy was 10/10 as our top Kids Heart Challenge fundraisers took aim! Raising $200+ is no small feat, and these students definitely earned their moment of glory. Sorry, Mr. Matthews—it was all for a good cause!