Sacred Hearts Academy

my kids went here.... this school seems to favor certain students - like alum's kids or whoever close to the school/teachers. the kids can sense that. lots of gift giving going on, too. if the teachrs treat everyone equally, it would become a better school.
—Submitted by a parent

The new elementary art teacher did a wonderful job this year. On a visit to the school before their year ended I saw a number of creative pieces of art which impressed me. I am used to seeing art in elementary schools be "cookie cutter." I saw art where students expressed their individuality and creativity.

as an alumna and a parent of an alumna of SHA, I would recommend SHA to parents who want their daughters to obtain an excellent education. Its been at least a decade since I visited the school, but I recently toured SHA with my daughter & granddaughter and was very happy to see how the school has evolved. My daughter excelled in her college classes due to her SHA education. She was an honors student her first two years of college. I see comments about a lot of homework, but lets face it you get out of it what you put into it. Should your daughter spend ALL weekend on homework? I mean that's 48 hours plus if you count Friday evening. But seriously, I can't see how she would even spend 16 hours on homework on a given weekend. I find that hard to believe that there is that much homework. Perhaps there is more to it - is she using her time well or does she need some help because she is struggling? I would find out why she is spending so much time on homework and how much time should be spent on homework. The ratio I was given for college level is 3 hours of homework for every 1 hour of class. My granddaughter will probably attend SHA in the fall she loved it.

SHA has definitely brought my daughter out from her shell, but in a good way. She is more confident and has built her self-esteem to where she comfortable in participating in class. She has learned time management as she is involved with sports and clubs. The teachers are very concerned about the girls growing into young, respectable, and favorable adults.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending Sacred Hearts Academy for 7 years now. She is currently a Junior. I highly recommend this school not only for their academics but also for their performing arts. Yes at times there is an extreme amount of homework/projects due, but this is where time management comes in. This is a preview of what colleges expect from a student. Compared to what other private high schools are charging for tuition on Oahu, we feel that SHA has afforded an outstanding education and opportunities for our daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

While this school has great teachers and makes a point of emphasizing math and science for girls, it has the reputation of assigning massive amounts of homework in the upper grades. This year, an 8th grader spends all weekend on homework. There is little time for family life or extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

It has help prepare my ward for her future aspirations and has challenged some of her perceptions about the world in which we live.
—Submitted by a parent

SHA provides the opportunity for mental, spiritual, and educational growth.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Sacred Hearts and I feel so grateful for having done so. Yes there can be mean girls but no more than what I experienced in public school in Hawaii. In response to the review about mass, I am not sure what the problem is. Yes the high schoolers get to sit in the bleachers while the jr. high and lower school sit on the floor but thats how it is at every assembly. Also the high school kids that are giving communion are a part of the LIFE team which is basically student ministries. Also they have been confirmed which makes them eligible to give out the Eucharist. Honestly I feel like the education I got at SHA helped me so much and next year I am graduating college and starting medical school. So yes I recommend Sacred Hearts and would send my own daughters there.
—Submitted by a student

I used to go to Sacred Hearts Academy and I have been attending since I was in 6th grade. While Sacred Hearts has good academics, sports, and extra curriculars. Sending your daughter there could be damaging to her mental health. Girls there are very cliche, and if a student is different they will be ostracized. Send your daughter here if you want to, but she will have to deal with bullying and drama.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter has attended Sacred Hearts Academy for 5 years now. She had made real friends here. I saw drastic change in her personality; she used to be cold and kept to herself. Now she is rarely ever unhappy and seems to always be smiling or laughing. The school is quite organized; they send newsletters and e-mails to both the parents and students to keep them updated. My daughter always says the teachers are funny. The new Perfomance Arts building has a very good learning environment for those who take music and art. I love volunteering to be a chaperone because my daughter's classmates are very polite and well-mannered. The teachers & high school assistants are very helpful and good role-models. My daughter learned compassion and sympathy for others. She shoots for top grades and tries her best. Sacred Hearts is definately a very good school for young ladies.
—Submitted by a parent

Many people complain of teasing and i've lived with it for more than a decade and SHA, along with my previous school has taught the same: tell an adult and if the problem continues and it turns to harassment, get the police involved. I can say every school has this problem but with just my few weeks at SHA I haven't had any issues, I mean, there are mean girls but I try to associate myself with a good group of friends that have my back, and I have theirs. Academically, I say this school is great. In my freshmen year i've managed to get english and world history honors but it wasn't the same for math. I suffered during the first few weeks of summer school but my math teacher, when brought to the attention I needed help, was there for me. I recommend this school.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter has been at SHA since Kindergarten (she's now in fifth grade). She has a medical condition which causes some physical differences and from day one the school and other students have been so supportive and wonderful. SHA promotes the girls' self esteem and encourages them to be their best! SHA subscribes to EDLINE and I find this to be extremely helpful with communication and organization. When reading some of the negative comments, I wonder if these families have not had the opportunity to be more involved and proactive with any situations arising. The teachers are always available for our concerns and reply to emails so quickly which makes our day to day lives so much easier! Unfortunately we are moving due to work but I believe SHA has taught my daughter the foundation she needs to succeed in anything she does in life. Thank you SHA!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to Sacred Hearts for a year and was not happy there. The teachers and administration have obvious favorites, and the school rewards students for no reason. There is a serious lack of parent-teacher communication and schoolwide events are disorganized. I have encountered most of the girls my daughter goes to school with by chaperoning a school field trip. There are certain girls being ostracized and it seemed like the teachers were looking the other way. This is definitely not a healthy environment for any parent to send their daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

First of all, I want to say that my daughter just loves this school! That is the most important thing to me and my husband, because as long as she loves it there, she will continue to love to learn, which is exactly what she is doing everyday while attending Senior Kindergarten! I have probably had more experiences with the school as a parent than most of the other parents because I volunteer there every chance I get, help my daughter's teacher in all areas, hang out with other parents, spend time with my daughter and her friends on field trips, organize classroom parties,etc....so I know first hand how things are going at SHA as a first time parent, and they are going great! My daughter who is already an exceptional student, which is clearly noted on her report card and PT conferences, is exceling even more than we could hope!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two daughters attending SHA. They LOVE IT! They are in lower classes and the teachers seem to be very organized and on top of everything. I get notes & emails to stay current on what is going on. My kids learn so much and are very interested in learning. I hope to send them both there next year if finances permit.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall sacred hearts is an 'ok' school. She really misses her previous school. The teachers could make learning more fun. I don't think I will be sending my daughter there next year though (she is in high school).
—Submitted by a parent

It saddens me to read some of the negative reviews of SHA. Not that I am challenging these children and parents experience but I am sorry that they have not seen the school I have seen. My daughter is in high school and is a rather quiet girl. The school has been an exceptional environment for her to excel both socially and academically. She is very happy at the school. We are a blended religion family so the Christian outlook was important and the more open Catholic stance is positive. The teachers have been inspirational women for my daughter. I must admit not every teacher has demonstrated a high level, organized classroom but the majority have offered her a challenging well-rounded education.
—Submitted by a parent

It is my daughter's first year at Sacred Hearts Academy (she is in high school) and everyday she tells me how much she hates it. The school is very unorganized and they never tells the parents what is going on. At her previous school, they would send newsletters and phone calls. The teachers are not very good and they have old teaching methods that do not really make education exciting. My daughter's old school had wonderful teachers that would allow them to excel and also have fun. The school's mass is very strange, especially if you are a cradle-Catholic - just go to one of their monthly Friday masses, and you'll see for yourself. If your daughter is coming from an extraordinary school, then do not waste your money sending her to Sacred Hearts. My daughter will definatley not be going there next year, i can tell you that right now.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to Sacred Hearts Academy for a year now. She is constantly begging me to pull her out due to harsh comments from other students. Other students would like to hurt her emotionally and sometimes physically. I do not appreciate this whatsoever. I've complained to the principal about two months ago, and it seems to me like they're not doing anything about it. The girls here are also setting a horrible example for my daughter. My daughter has changed ever since I put her to this school. She has developed somewhat of an attitude. I can't put up with it any longer, I will soon pull my daughter out. I recommend that no parent should put their child to this school. I highly recommend Saint Francis, my oldest daughter graduated there just last year, and she is now attending a great college.
—Submitted by a parent