Posted on: Thursday, January 13, 2005
OUR SCHOOLS | SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL
Tuition is challenge at Catholic campus
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
When you send your daughter to Saint Francis School, you know exactly what you will get, according to principal Sister Joan of Arc Souza. A good education.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser The Catholic girls school, located in Manoa Valley next to the University of Hawai'i, offers Grades 6 through 12 as well as preschool.
More than 90 percent of Saint Francis School's graduates are accepted into accredited universities throughout the country, Souza said.
The school is open to students of any religious group, but about 70 percent are Catholic. The girls are easily recognizable by their uniforms — plaid skirt and white blouse, which are trendy in Japan but not here.
"They are all-American and the biggest gift we can give them if they do something extraordinary is on Friday they don't have to wear their uniform," Souza said. "You'd think we gave them a million dollars."
The school is not all about academics, though. In the student center/cafeteria hang several state and Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship banners including bowling, cross county, track, tennis, canoe paddling, volleyball and basketball.
• What are you most proud of? Our quality Catholic education, said Souza. • Best-kept secret: The warm family feeling on campus, she said. • Everybody at our school knows: Sergio Robles, assistant high school principal. • Our biggest challenge: Tuition. "Most of our parents work two or three jobs," Souza said. "Most have other children and they need to work extra to afford a private school." • What we need: A gymnasium. • Projects: The 'Ohana Fair, held on campus during the last week of April, is the school's big fundraiser. It includes pony rides, games, rock-climbing and food booths. • Special events: Ola Kino Maika'i, an annual two-day workshop featuring guest speakers to discuss important issues facing young women such as substance abuse, teen depression, leadership characteristics, exercise, self-respect and intercultural communications.
Reach James Gonser at 535-2431 or jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.
"We will educate her, we will see that she graduates," Souza said. "She will work hard and will have a pleasant experience with fond memories of her high school days if she comes to Saint Francis. She will become part of our 'ohana and be accepted no matter what."
A colorful character shares biology class with the girls at Saint Francis School. Beyond academics, students have excelled in bowling, cross county, track, tennis, canoe paddling, volleyball and basketball.
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| At a glance
Where: 2707 Pamoa Road Phone: 988-4111 Web address: www.stfrancis-oahu.org Principal: Sister Joan of Arc Souza, since 1991 School nickname: Troubadours School colors: Blue and white Enrollment: 400 students in facilities that can handle a maximum of 450 History: Founded in 1924 by the Franciscan Sisters of the Third Order from Syracuse, N.Y. Special features: A Hawaiian garden on the banks of Manoa Stream Special programs or classes: The school offers American Sign Language classes, which earn students foreign language credit. The hope is that some students will go on to become sign language interpreters — specialists who are in short supply in Hawai'i. Computers: The school has one computer for every three students, a computer lab and computers in every classroom. |
