Holy Family Catholic Academy

My son has attended HFCA for the past several years, and we have been very happy with the school. He's had the opportunity to perform with his band in the Aloha Week Parade, the Honolulu City Lights Parade, and even Disneyland. He's participated on basketball, volleyball, and track teams that have usually placed 1st or 2nd in the league. He's been challenged academically, and he's a kind, caring kid who has been prepared very well for the next school he attends. The only minus is that the facilities are old, but they are very well-maintained. I highly recommend HFCA, and I don't think you'll find a better school on the island for this price.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended HFCA from ELC and is presently in 3rd grade. I can envision him staying through 8th grade. The school fosters building great character and citizenship. The facilities are worn, but well-kept.
--Submitted by a parent

I was a public schooler from K-7 and the when I moved to Hawaii for 8th grade my parents sent my to the school, not a horrible school, but certainly not the best, and not as good as my public California middle school. The worst part about this school had to be the math. The ADVANCED algebra class only got through SIX chapters, at my current high school that is what they cover in half a school year, therefore I was behind and had to take two years of summer school (that's an extra $800) just to catch up with my mainland public school that I will be returning to in the fall.

I went to Holy Family from 1st grade till 8th grade. that was a really amazing school, the kids there are great. the teachers are so nice and helpful. I'm so glad i went there i was completely prepared for high-school when i graduated from 8th grade.

I have 2 children - one completed ELC through 5th and the other ELC through 3rd. HFCA's focus on character education sets it apart from other schools and is the reason we enrolled our kids. Academically, it is better than most public schools, and on par with small private schools. Might not be a good fit for very gifted kids. Curriculum suffers from large class size (35 students). It's routine to progress only halfway through textbooks by year's end. Teachers do not develop critical thinking/writing b/c there are too many students. No continuity and little progress in curriculum from year to year. If your goal is Punahou or Iolani, expect to supplement HFCA's lagging academics with outside tutoring and summer school. That being said, the school nurtures respectful, tolerant, responsible, caring children in a safe environment, which is priceless during the elem years. My kids are doing well, no regrets!
--Submitted by a parent

HFCA is such a great school...my son has been there since Kindergarten and we just love it there. My son loves the teachers and Mrs Malins is a very compassionate and great leader. This school provides the basic foundation of what it is to be Christian and also preps the children to become well rounded human beings...not to mention prepping the children to also strive for excellence in their studies. The children here get accepted to the top private schools here in the islands. This school is a small school and that's what also makes it great. The teachers will not let you fall through the cracks. I would definitely recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I sent my daughter to Holy Family for Pre-School and she learned more than any of my other children did at that age. I had to save money and sent her to a public school in my neighborhood for Kindergarten. Well, public school wasn't doing their job and so I sent her back to Holy Family and she loves it! She is doing excellent and the teachers are very loving! There are fundraisers that the school does, but you are not required to participate in all of them. However, this school shows compassion by fundraising for the homeless, the troops at war and more! What public school really teaches moral values and social responsibility? I know that it's not the public schools. The parents are also eager to help, which is part of the reason why the school is so successful. The price of the school is the most affordable!
--Submitted by a parent

We took our child out of the ELC and placed him into a much better preschool due to the fact that for us, Holy Family is not a compassionate, caring school. Sure you can spend hundreds of dollars every month, but if your child's teacher is not a kind and caring individual or has no patience, your child will not thrive. We were extremely disappointed with the ELC director as well as the Principal, especially the Principal. because they only took our child's teacher's opinion. We will never recommend Holy Family to any of our friends or family in the future. Kudos to the other families who were fortunate to get good teachers, but in our opinion, Holy Family was a waste of our time and money.
--Submitted by a parent

Our kids currently attend HFCA and also attended the Early Learning Center. This is a great school with wonderfully kind and loving teachers, and a caring, supportive principle in Mrs. Malins. Of course all schools do fundraising and HFCA is no different. The students all benefit from the fundraisers. We are extremely happy with our choice to have our children attend HFCA, and would highly recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had two children graduate from this school, and both were accepted to the top private schools in Hawaii for high school. I have one child still attending and find this to be the best value for the money in high school preparation. The teachers are very responsive to parents and work hard to provide extra instruction as needed.
--Submitted by a parent