Maui Preparatory Academy

Since the first 18 students enrolled at Maui Prep in September 2005, our school ‘Ohana has continued to grow and develop. Families who join our school become members of a real learning community — one that embraces differences in culture, ethnicity, race, religion and economics. We are united in our adherence to our core values and our students’ pursuit of an education that challenges and nurtures them intellectually, socially, ethically, physically, and artistically.

One of Maui Prep’s founding principles is “Students First.” This value is folded into the daily life of the school, encompassing everything that we do. This dedication to students first is what leads Maui Prep to continually explore ways to meet the needs of our students and our community.

We welcome you to Maui Preparatory Academy. Founded in 2005, our school offers excellence in three major areas: academics, performing arts, and athletics. Our mission and vision establish a culture of excellence that focuses on building strong RELATIONSHIPS, EMPOWERMENT, and RELEVANCE. These characteristics, along with our commitment to living aloha, holistically encompass the whole student. We are driven to offer every opportunity to our West Maui community and beyond.

The Graham Center for Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (completed in 2019) equips our students with the tools to learn beyond the confines of the classroom. This space provides the ability to develop new ideas and discover unique ways of looking at problems as well as the freedom to innovate, create solutions, and enhance the world around us.

The Bozich Center for Athletics and Performing Arts (completed 2020) creates opportunities for both performing artists and athletes to access and benefit from an already sustainable and successful program. This center also provides Maui Prep the opportunity to extend itself to the West Maui and island community at large. Maui Prep is excited by our long-lasting partnership with our students and families as well as continuing our relationship with our almost 150 alumni around the world.

As a native of Burbank, California, and alum of the Rossier School of Education from the University of Southern California (USC), I’ve specifically prepared, researched, and published my dissertation on educational management and fostering leadership sustainability in Hawaiian K-12 schools. As a Head of School, We have the ability to work with a wonderful administration, faculty, staff, families, and students. I’m excited to lead the way working in unison with our Board of Trustees to further enhance and supersede expectations for our entire Maui Prep community.

Welcome to the Maui Prep ‘Ohana. You’ll find a kind, deeply connected community that thrives on making a difference in the lives of our students and on Maui.

Maui Preparatory Academy has adapted a unique approach to creating our Mission and Vision statements. Often schools write paragraphs, but we have agreed upon three powerful words that inform our actions daily: Relationships, Empowerment, and Relevance. Our Mission and Vision statements are woven into every aspect of student life at Maui Preparatory Academy.

Maui Preparatory Academy is an independent college preparatory day school for Preschool through 12th grade students and has a boarding facility for 9th grade through 12th grade of all economic backgrounds and diverse cultures. It is the only school of its kind located in West Maui.

Maui Prep is a non-profit 501 (C) (3) institution that is dedicated to providing a rigorous interdisciplinary academic program, combining arts enrichment, athletics, and service to the community as a part of its core values. What began in 2001 as the dream of West Maui community leaders and parents became a reality in the fall of 2005. Maui Prep opened its doors to the first 18 students in grades 6-8 on land generously provided by Maui Land & Pineapple Company.

Shortly after opening, a group of West Maui parents met with the Board of Trustees to request that Maui Prep consider starting an elementary program as well. The group reasoned that doing so would better prepare younger students to seamlessly move into the challenging middle and high school curriculum that Maui Prep offers.

After conducting a feasibility study, considering facilities and assessing community commitment to this major move, Maui Prep decided to establish an elementary program. In the fall of 2006, the school underwent a dramatic expansion to 182 students in Preschool through grade 9. A grade was then added each year until reaching 12th grade. Maui Prep’s first graduating class was the Class of 2010.

An exceptional faculty comprised of highly experienced educators dedicate themselves to serving the students of Maui Prep. Every faculty member holds a bachelors degree, and well over 70% of them hold masters degrees as well. They are well-rounded professionals with broad interests, able to engage our students on many different levels both in and out of the classroom. Each is deeply committed to Maui Prep’s vision of helping students reach beyond their perceived level of ability to become outstanding world citizens ready to contribute to the community and to serve others.

As a further demonstration of its dedication to providing the best possible college preparatory education to its students, Maui Prep received full accreditation by both the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) and the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) in the spring of 2008. In recommending that the school receive this “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” the Accreditation Visiting Committee wrote this in its final report:

“Personal observation and review of the school reports all point to a healthy school with a group of committed school community members delivering quality education. The program is challenging, coherent, and relevant. Students and faculty are bright and engaged. The administration has formed a demonstrably effective team.”

Maui Prep is committed to providing an outstanding college preparatory education to a qualified, talented and diverse student population regardless of a family’s ability to pay the full tuition. Even in the school’s infancy, it already has a solid tuition assistance program in place. Currently over 40% of the school’s students receive financial aid.

One of Maui Prep’s core values is “students first.” This value is folded into the daily life of the school, encompassing everything that we do.

Our dedicated faculty and staff work tirelessly to help each student succeed in every way. This dedication to students first is what leads Maui Prep to continually explore ways to meet the needs of its students and its community.