Private School in East Oahu Closing
Private schools in the Islands are feeling the economic pinch just as are public schools. Unfortunately, Holy Trinity School, in Kuli'ou'ou, just a minute from the boundary of Hawaii Kai, will close June 7. The school has tried for years unsuccessfully to make ends meet, after being an institution in our part of the island since 1959.
Word of Life Academy in Kaka'ako has announced it will also close. Private school administrators and others yesterday couldn't recall ever seeing two schools with such strong academics and solid histories in the state shutter because of tough economic times, which they said was a testament to just how many families are struggling — and by how much.
Private schools account for about 18 percent of school enrollment in the state. Enrollment at private schools statewide decreased by about 2 percent this year, to 38,524 students. Neighbor Island schools saw more sizable declines — with an overall 4 percent decrease in enrollment, for a total of 8,257 students, according to the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.
Holy Trinity served 70 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, so has had a shrinking cushion of enrollments to buffer the economic hard times. Tuition has been $6,900/year. Father Gary Secor, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, said the declining enrollment — coupled with increased financial aid needs from parents — made it impossible to keep the school open for another year. The school's 12 employees will be laid off.