The restructured Early Learning Center will host three class programs. PHOTO BY J. ANTHONY MARTINEZ PHOTOGRAPHY.

LAHAINA — Sacred Hearts School is expanding! The Early Learning Center, under the supervision of new Director Kawai Silva, will host three class programs.

The newly structured ELC will consist of two classes, for three- and four-year-olds, each with a capacity of 12 students. There are a few spots left in one of those classes.

The ELC will also house one four- and five-year-old program with a classroom capacity of 16 students.

“I am excited that we will now be able to accommodate more families with younger tots ready to start preschool. In the past, we were only able to take 13 three- to four-year-olds,” shared Silva.

Silva joined Sacred Hearts School from Holy Innocents Preschool, where she taught for six years. She holds a Childhood Development Associate Credential in Early Childhood Education and is currently working to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in the same subject from the University of Arizona’s Global Campus.

Sacred Hearts also felt the need to establish its very first Junior Kindergarten Program. The decision to open a Junior Kindergarten was decided and agreed upon by the school board, Finance Committee, School Leadership Team, and grade level teams.

Supporters of Sacred Hearts are excited for this expansion and internal restructuring. This program is specifically targeted for those children who may not make the Kindergarten cutoff date but are emotionally and academically ready for more.

“We see a significant rise in this area, so there is a real need for a Junior Kindergarten at Sacred Hearts School,” commented Principal Tonata Lolesio.

She continued, “We are seeing the spectrum of learning abilities widening, which significantly impacts classroom instructions and behavioral management. As a Catholic school whose mission is to provide excellence in education, it is essential to address this area so that students are at/above grade level expectations when entering the kindergarten classroom.”

Students in the Junior Kindergarten program will wear school uniforms and have the opportunity to participate in enrichment classes and main school activities.

Wendy Coon and the Junior Kindergarten teacher will be collaborating to ensure students are at/above Kindergarten level and can excel at the Kindergarten level.

Coon, a veteran teacher of 20 years at Sacred Hearts, added with excitement: “The addition of this much-needed Junior Kindergarten program has been a long time coming.”

The new Junior Kindergarten program will be located adjacent to the current Kindergarten classroom (currently the school’s main office). Re-modelling will begin immediately to be ready to open its doors for the new school year.

For more information on how to register for a spot in the Early Learning Center or Junior Kindergarten, e-mail yrichard@shsmaui.org or call the school office at (808) 661-4720.