Le Jardin Academy

We've been at Le Jardin for 9 years w/ 2 children currently enrolled & one more to join them in a couple of years. We'd only planned to send our children to LJA until gr.6, then move them to Punahou/Iolani, but have since reconsidered. LJA now has the International Baccacalaureate Program & more importantly, a team of fabulous teachers. Mr. Frodella is THE BEST kindergarten teacher you could dream of having for your child we can t wait to see what he does with 4th grade! Monsieur J has a certain je ne sais quoi about him that draws kids to him and makes them WANT to learn French. Mandarin with Laoshi Adams takes kids into a class where puppetry & acting integrate w/ learning & she s exceptional at teaching fun Mandarin words that sound like English words. We look forward to seeing the bright future LJA has in store for our family!
--Submitted by a parent

We were in Le Jardin for only half a year since we have to move back mainland for work. My son still talks about his teacher (Kindergarten - Mr. Justin Frodella) everyday. He teaches each child in the appropriate level he's in and there's a specialist that comes in if he's in a level that's above or below everyone else. You get plenty of attention and you feel like a part of a community, if not a family. Great staff, great parents, beautiful school. It's money well spent!
--Submitted by a parent

I am so impressed with Le Jardin. Nurturing and rigorous... it's the perfect combination. My son loves it, and even being in Middle School, he comes home with all sorts of excitement about what he's learning. Now with the International Baccalaureate Program, this school is a gem of cutting edge education. I can't say enough good things about it.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has probably the most beautiful campus in Hawaii, mostly appreciated by parents only. Academically, performs on the same level as public schools in Kailua. Therefore, unless you have $100k to spend for elementary school education, save it for good private High School tuition.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had a child in LJA for the past 2 years and another one about to attend. I can't say enough positive things about Le Jardin. We get thorough feedback about how our son is doing and it is clear the teachers, aides and administrators all know him well. I can't speak to the experience of the person that rated the school only 2-stars but what he / she describes is far from our experience. Unsupervised? I have never witnessed that and I have spent a lot of time at the school. Exceptional school. Superb community!
--Submitted by a parent

We have enjoyed the Junior School (PK & JK) for the past two years. (08,09) Madame Franciose Akina is one of the best school administrators I've ever known. She runs the Junior School with strict protective policies, extreme efficiency, and most importantly- love and nurturing. It is not an easy feat to find that balance. Greeted everyday at the gate by Madame Akina, my daughter has a wonderful sense of belonging to Le Jardin Junior School. Both teachers in PK and JK have been extraordinary. We couldn't be happier with our daughters education. Junior School students are well behaved and treat each other well. At an early age, it is so important to us that they enjoy school . It is expensive, that is not in question. Our family finds its way to cut in other areas so we can afford to send her to what we feel is the best school. Sue
--Submitted by a parent

We moved our daughter to Le Jardin from Aikahi and have been delighted with Le Jardin. The LJA teachers think of creative ways to keep the students challenged and motivated. The students are well-behaved and supportive of each other. The after school program is fantastic! When we moved to Hawaii we wanted to keep our daughter in public school so we bought our home near Aikahi because of the school's reputation. Aikahi is a top public school. The parent organization is excellent. Some teachers are fantastic. We were disappointed in the behavior of some of the students however, who would be disruptive in class. Overall, both Aikahi and LJA are good schools but LJA has been much better for us.
--Submitted by a parent

Save your money and put the kids in Public school like Aikahi. I moved from Aikahi because the school was not challenging enough. But after being in Le jardin I prefer Aikahi as it not worth the money I am spending. The kids are not supervised and let to fend for themselves. I have 2 kids in the school and they are not tested so we have no way of knowing where they stand. I guess its a standard LJA follows to cover their incompetence
--Submitted by a parent

Le Jardin is a very good school and is committed to becoming even better. One thing that's particularly praiseworthy is that the administration is savvy about research and has revised its homework policy for elementary students accordingly. Young children at this school are not overwhelmed with homework (which is very unusual these days) and still learn very well.
--Submitted by a parent

We are a military family and have three teen age sons who have attend many different schools in over five different states. Le Jardin Academy is by far the best school they have attended. They never want to leave. The thing they like most about this multi-cultural school is the absence of bullies, violence, gangs, and gossip groups. The academy's efforts on teaching students how to be good citizens is successful. This school is also strong in soccer, which happens to be the favorite sport in our family.
--Submitted by a parent