At the Windward Community School for Adults you can learn everything from acrylics to auto body repairs. Or you can pursue a high school diploma.

Each year, the far-flung school serves 3,500 students in locations from Waimanalo to Kahuku, providing services ranging from basic literacy training to sophisticated vocational learning.

While many of the classes fall into the life-long learning category for those wanting to enrich their lives, one of the highlights of the year is the annual graduation ceremony for more than 400 people who have gone back to school after many years — one graduate was 78 years old — to earn their high school diploma, said principal Gary Takaki.

"This is most gratifying to the students and their families as a milestone in their lives," he said.

The Windward school, one of seven in a statewide system, is headquartered at Kalaheo High School, but classes are held up and down the Windward coast.

Takaki discussed the school with The Advertiser:

What are you most proud of? "The faculty, staff, community and students who are such an important piece in the adult education program. Their continued support in life-long learning is exemplary in the Windward district. The complex area superintendents, Mrs. Lea Albert and Mrs. Arlyne Yonemoto, are firm believers in adult literacy and continually support the school's effort in expanding life-long learning," said Takaki.

Best-kept secret: "Distance learning initiative that supports credit recovery and remediation 24 hours a day, seven days a week for our adult learners. The accessibility to the system supports the 47 miles that the school is responsible for (Waimanalo to Sunset Beach). This affords our students an opportunity to meet their educational and career goals."

Everybody at our school knows: "Mrs. Janice Ikebe, school administrative and secretarial assistant. She is the conduit in referring calls to administration, faculty and staff members. She is the person who coordinates our office staff, helps with school operations and is the first person adult learners meet at the window or on the phone. She insures that our teachers and students have the supplies and materials necessary for a successful school program. She and many other SASAs in the public schools are the unsung heroes in public education," Takaki said.

Our biggest challenge: "Facilities available for use during the day. Windward School for Adults does not have its own campus and has limited class offerings during these hours. Classes are scheduled based on availability of classrooms at public schools or facilities with our community partners. More classroom space would meet the needs of those adults who can attend school only during the day and afternoon hours."

What we need: "Means to support the adult education program, whether it is fiscal resources, facilities, and community outreach to recruit students whether they are low-income students without a high school diploma or adults who need remediation for adult education support."

Special events: "Annual commencement exercise for our adult secondary education program students in our GED or CBHSDP high school diploma programs. An estimated 400-plus students participate annually. The activity here on O'ahu is sponsored by the Hawaii Adult Educators Association, which underwrites the seven community schools for adults on O'ahu."

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.