42 HAWAII PARENT May/June 2024 (WASC), and Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). Many colleges are looking for students with diplomas from accredited high schools – so be sure that your private school choice will allow your child to pursue higher education if they so desire. COST Hawaii’s private schools range from $2,000 a year to over $20,000 a year. But do not necessarily rule out a school that may appear out of your budget. Though you may wince at the sticker price, financial aid could be readily available. You never know what assistance you might be eligible for if you don’t apply. That said, do not put all your eggs in one basket; apply to more than one school, including those within your price range. While you should not bank on the notion that you will receive financial aid, you do not want to discredit the idea either and miss an opportunity. TEACHERS AND FACULTY Each private school is sure to have different standards and educational requirements for their teachers. These requirements also differ from the standards and requirements at many public schools. The Department of Education may require head teachers to have a specific degree and amount of experience, but a smaller school may use volunteer members as classroom aides. While a degree is not always indicative of a passion for teaching, you should feel free to ask about the qualifications that are important to you. Some private schools may have even stricter requirements for their staff members, as they may be able to offer higher salaries. In order to make the best decision for your child and family, sit down and make a list of what you are looking for in a private school – and then prioritize that list. It is not always possible to find a school that DAMIEN MEMORIAL SCHOOL Damien Memorial School is a fully accredited Catholic, coeducational college preparatory middle and high school, committed to excellence in education and service to the community. Damien’s highly qualified faculty and curriculum provides students with a rigorous educational experience that prepares them to attend the finest colleges and universities across the United States. Small class sizes allow teachers to address the individual learning needs of all our students by cultivating their academic, personal and spiritual growth. Damien’s campus is a well-designed learning environment that features air-conditioned classrooms and science labs, computer labs, media center, learning commons, 1,000-seat gymnasium, the newly completed Athletic Center, football/soccer practice field, batting cages, chapel, counseling center, band practice rooms, aquaculture/hydroponics lab, and full-service cafeteria. The school also participates in sports programs with the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. For more information, visit Damien.edu, or contact Director of Admissions Brent Limos at limos@damien.edu.
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