By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Catholic Church in Hawaii has long been a source of early education for young children. With both preschools and early learning centers available to the smallest students, parents have been able to boost their children’s social and academic acumen and prepare them for grade school and beyond, all within the framework of a faith-based curriculum.
That’s still the case this academic year, and in fact 2024-25 marks the return of an ELC on Maui — Sacred Hearts School, which could not accommodate the center last year while it was at Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua, now has room at its new temporary campus in Kaanapali.
At the same time, the state Department of Education is expanding its own “Ready Keiki” preschool program, opening nearly four dozen preschools across the state this month.
Mandy Thronas-Brown, associate superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools, explained the advantages of a Catholic preschool and why the state’s initiative could prove problematic for the church’s campuses. Despite the challenges ahead, there are still reasons for Catholic preschools and ELCs to be optimistic.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle parents confront is the cost of a Catholic education, especially when compared to the state’s free preschools. Thronas-Brown said Catholic preschools or ELCs charge $800-$1,200 a month, though they also offer access to scholarship opportunities, state tuition assistance programs and military financial assistance.
“We have already begun to see an immediate enrollment decline in our ELCs and preschools as free DOE preschools open,” Thronas-Brown said. “It was evident in one of our rural schools where enrollment immediately declined (by more than half) as a DOE preschool opened a couple blocks away from the school.”
Another hurdle stemming from the state program is the convenience factor, Thronas-Brown said. Families with older children in public schools would be more likely to place their younger kids in the same school’s preschool, to make scheduling easier.
It’s not all about cost and convenience, though, Thronas-Brown said. Catholic preschools and ELCs have much to offer in areas ranging from academics to extracurricular activities to community.
First, a family should consider the type of program they want their child to enter, Thronas-Brown said. Preschools and ELCs both accommodate young children, but each has slightly different goals.
Preschools usually cater to a specific age group (3 to 5 years old) with a curriculum focused on preparation for kindergarten — developing fine and gross motor skills, social skills, literacy and numeracy. ELCs, on the other hand, accommodate a wider range of ages (infant to preschool) and can have a more flexible curriculum based on students’ individual needs. Their hours might also be more flexible than preschool schedules, staying open earlier or later in the day.
Catholic preschools and ELCs tend to offer smaller classroom sizes and often accept children who do not make the state DOE age cutoff (born before June 30 to remain with other kids their age). One misconception of faith-based schools is that students must be that faith; however, Thronas-Brown said families don’t have to be Catholic in order for their children to attend a Catholic preschool or ELC.
Even though free public preschools are becoming increasingly available, Thronas-Brown said most Catholic preschools and ELCs are generally full, though some are weighing a broader age range to increase their enrollment.
With more students comes the need for a larger staff, though, which Thronas-Brown said is another concern for Catholic preschools and ELCs.
While current staffs “remain committed to teaching in a Catholic, safe and nurturing environment that allows a partnership between schools and parents,” according to Thronas-Brown, recruiting new teachers is a significant challenge. Potential educators must meet state Department of Human Resources qualifications, and a waiver program for unqualified staff takes months and is not a guarantee.
Then there’s the issue of salary and benefits that come with state teaching positions, which Thronas-Brown said independent schools might have trouble meeting.
Parents of toddlers who are nearing preschool or ELC age have a lot to consider, but Catholic institutions have much to offer, Thronas-Brown said: a faith-based education; quality academics (all Catholic preschools and ELCs are nationally accredited); extracurricular activities; clear-cut codes of conduct; and a strong community comprising staff, students and parents.
