Catholic grade school enrollment in Hawaii continued its downward drift last year, while high school numbers increased slightly, thanks mostly to student body growth at Damien Memorial and Saint Francis, which have recently gone co-ed. But overall enrollment — preschool through grade 12 — dropped 458, from 9,794 for the start of school 2011 to […]
Back to School | Tuition rates increase for most, but not all
The universal truth that Catholic school tuition will always go up was not practiced universally this year as at least five schools kept their prices the same as the year before. One school even lowered its base tuition cost for one of its grades: Damien Memorial School reduced its sixth grade tuition by $300, while […]
Back to School | Free milk, reduced price meals
Twelve Hawaii Catholic schools this coming school year are offering free milk and free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price under the Special Milk Program, National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program. Application forms are being sent to parents or guardians. Children […]
Back to School | St. Ann Early Learning Center: New director started at school 20 years ago
Cynthia Achong, who started at St. Ann Early Learning Center 20 years ago as a teacher’s aide, is now the preschool’s director. She began her position on July 1. Achong grew up in Kaneohe and now lives in Waimanalo with her husband Wayne and three daughters Leesa, Chelsee and Cailee. Achong began at St. Ann […]
Back to School | St. Ann Model Schools: Music teacher hits right note as administrator
Mandy Thronas-Brown began her new position as principal of St. Ann Model School in Kaneohe on July 1. Born on Kauai, she attended St. Catherine School and graduated from Kapaa High School with honors in 1988. She then attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in music […]
Back to School | Augustine Educational Foundation fills a growing need
The need keeps growing, and the Augustine Educational Foundation is happy to find different ways to fill it. The need: tuition assistance for Hawaii Catholic school students. This year, more than 1,100 applications have come in already for the 2013-2014 school year, according to Sue Ferandin, the foundation’s executive director. As of July 24, the […]
Back to School | St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School: New head of school has roots on Maui
St. Anthony Junior-Senior High in Wailuku, Maui, has selected veteran Catholic school teacher and administrator Betsey Hughes Gunderson as its new head of school. St. Anthony’s school board unanimously appointed Gunderson, the director of curriculum at Maryknoll High School in Honolulu, after a 10-month long reassessment of school operations. The selection process followed a series […]
Back to School | St. John Vianney School: Kailua principal is back full circle
St. John Vianney School in Kailua this year welcomes Caryn DeMello as its new principal, replacing Michael Busekrus. DeMello, the former vice principal of St. Anthony School in Kailua, has been a teacher and school administrator for 19 years. Her new job, which she started July 1, brings her back full circle to St. John […]
Back to School | Maryknoll School: New leadership structure divides duties among vice principals
Maryknoll School president Perry Martin has announced a new structure of school administration leaders that gives the grade school two vice-principals and the high school three vice-principals. Both levels also have principals. Here are the new VPs and the descriptions of their jobs. Maryknoll Grade School Chris Loomis, Vice Principal of Academics and Faculty: This […]
