5A's of AKUA
Living the 5 A’s of Akua at Saint Louis SchoolEXPOSURE: We pledge to expose our students to the 5A's of Akua of our school's mission. PROFICIENCY: We pledge that students will be proficient in all of the 5 A's of Akua. MASTERY: We pledge to help our students find their God-given talents.  For generations, students at Saint Louis School in Honolulu, HI have been charged to become Saint Louis Gentlemen. Just the mention of the phrase Saint Louis Man calls to mind values of respect, maturity, and devotion. It reminds us of the many alumni who have exhibited the best in us. It tells of the men who have inspired others to envision learning, relationships, and faith as realities that are the very substances with which we can change the world for the better. The Marianist brothers and priests, whose brotherly love was the inspiration for our cherished Brotherhood, charged the young men of Kalaepohaku to this greater identity that daily lives on in the halls of Saint Louis, and in the legacy of many who have gone on to inspire others. The 5 A's of Akua are the method through which we form boys into Saint Louis Gentlemen. Formerly called the 6 A's, the A's of Akua have been edited through much collaborative discussion, reflection, and prayer. The new title more fully expresses the centrality of our faith in our education and 'ohana at Satin Louis School. As we celebrate our Ho'i i ka Piko this year, honoring our legacy of 175 years, we continue to honor 'Olelo Hawai'i as we have since our inception. In light of this gift, the 5 A's of Akua are written in 'Olelo Hawai'i to reflect the precious cultural context that pervades everything we do. Each of the A's depict different skills and experiences that the students are exposed to. As we lead each young man through a rigorous and relevant education, he achieves a level of proficiency in as many of the A's as possible. Through mentoring, education, and praxis, students work towards a level of mastery of a select one or two A's. Living the Marianist Mission at Saint Louis SchoolThe Characteristics of Marianist Education (CMEs) shape how we live and form young men on the slopes of Kalaepohaku. Each of the A's has a corresponding CME gifted to us from the Marianist brothers and priests whose mission it is to form communities of faith. Delivered from centuries of experience in extraordinary education, the CMEs are the principal values that guide us in our life at Saint Louis School. They center us in faith and a Marianist approach to being the best we can be so that we can help others discover their fullest potential. Enjoy the following reflections on each of the 5 A's of Akua, and join with me in praying for and supporting our employees and students who strive to become people who change the world. Learn more about how Saint Louis School shapes young men of faith, character, and purpose—contact us at (808) 739-7777. By: Joseph Nugent, Lay Marianist, Dean of Mission and Identity Handprint provided by Marco, Class of 2023 |