The graduation rate of Hawaii’s seven Catholic high schools is in line with the 99 percent graduation rate of Catholic school seniors nationwide, according to the Hawaii Catholic Schools office.
Approximately 500 students graduate in Hawaii each year from Damien Memorial School, Maryknoll, Sacred Hearts Academy, Saint Francis, Saint Louis, St. Joseph and St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School.
Most of them go on to college, including many Catholic universities on the Mainland.
“Sacred Hearts is proud to highlight the colleges to which our girls are accepted,” said head of school Betty White.
“The majority going to the Mainland attend Catholic colleges — Seattle University, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara, Gonzaga and Creighton,” she said. “These are very high quality schools for our Hawaii Catholic schools graduates.”
“Our students will find success and happiness in these colleges — and we are confident they are completing their course of study with a continued sense of spirituality,” White said.
One hundred percent of Maryknoll seniors were accepted to colleges this year, 29 percent of which are Catholic colleges, according to a news release from Hawaii Catholic Schools. At Saint Francis School, 93 percent of seniors will go to a university or college, 23 percent of which are Catholic institutions.
According to an online survey conducted by Hawaii Catholic Schools in November 2014, nearly 1,400 parents of students enrolled in Hawaii Catholic schools identified “better preparation for college” as the leading reason for choosing their schools. Having a successful sports and arts programs, as well as developing students’ church and community leadership skills, rounded out the rest of the top three attributes.
“Hawaii Catholic Schools are committed to providing a strong core curriculum with academic merit as well as inspirational visual and performing arts and competitive athletic programs,” said Hawaii Catholic Schools superintendent Michael Rockers. “We encourage everyone to visit www.CatholicSchoolsHawaii.org for information on each of our schools.”
