Class size remains at about 20 students per teacher, said Brother Greg O'Donnell, president of the Catholic school in Kalihi. He considers the school's size one of its best assets.

"We're small enough to know the students and we're big enough to have the programs," he said. "Most schools do not fit in that category. They're either very large so that students don't know each other or schools are too small to have all the programs."

As one of only two all-boys schools on the island, Damien also has the advantage of being able to teach in ways young men learn best, according to middle school principal Burton Tomita. "Research shows that boys are more apt to be more kinesthetic learners, hands-on, more visual," he said.

Boys are also more competitive, he said, so some activities are created to foster team spirit and help them realize there is a consequence for every decision they make.

For example, Damien will offer hydroponics and aquaculture classes in the fall. "The boys will actually go there and actually see the fish grow and the plants grow and they'll be there actively learning by utilizing different nutrients," Tomita said.

When they have vegetables and fish, the students may have a fish fry or sell the vegetables as a fund-raiser.

Following the Congregation of Christian Brothers tradition, students pray before every class and as a group before lunch.

The boys also follow a strict dress code. Not only are they banned from wearing jeans and athletic shoes, they must wear shirts and ties on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. "You can always tell the Damien kids," O'Donnell said. "They're the ones who are all dressed up."

• What are you most proud of? "We have young men who graduate from here understanding what it is to be a real man," O'Donnell said. "They have values and they bring these values to the community, to their families, they respect women. It goes without saying that our students do very well in college. We expect that. But they seem to bring more than just the academic knowledge with them. They bring a wholesomeness and a manliness that's not real common these days. They're not selfish."

• Best-kept secret: "It's small enough to know everyone, but large enough to offer very competitive academic programs, as well as a lot of activities," Tomita said.

Tomita said the school also stands out because of its insistence that students truly understand the school's motto "Viriliter Age," which means to act manfully by accepting different cultures, religions, having an appreciation for the Islands and creating an atmosphere of tolerance.

• Everybody at our school knows: Brother Liam Nolan, the science teacher from Ireland, who attends every game and activity the kids have.

• Our biggest challenge: "Trying to offer a very high-quality education at an acceptable tuition," O'Donnell said.

Tomita added that the school would like to get the students to raise their personal standards.

• What we need: "An endowment," O'Donnell said. "For the most part our alumni are supportive, but not wealthy. They're very successful in their own way, but we don't have a Bill Gates or a (Steve) Case."

• Notable alumni: NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, comedian Frank DeLima and real estate attorney Bruce Graham.

• Special events: An annual lu'au each April or May at the Blaisdell Center with entertainment by DeLima, and an annual golf tournament that raises money for financial aid for needy students.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.