Silver

NAPILI – Maui Preparatory Academy last week announced a yearlong series of events to celebrate its tenth anniversary.

Founded in the fall of 2005 by a small group of West Maui parents, businesspersons and Realtors, Maui Prep embarked on its ambitious, community-based mission to provide an independent and secular school option to families of West Maui.

This success story was made possible with generous grants from the original founders and with loans and donations from other dedicated community supporters.

From its humble beginnings with just 18 students in grades 6-8 to the current enrollment of over 200 students in preschool through 12th grade, including international boarding students, this school has been making its mark regionally, nationally and now globally.

A large part of what distinguishes Maui Prep is that this small school nurtures such close relationships among the students, and most rewardingly, between students and their teachers.

It is truly a special place. Head of School Dr. Jonathan Silver remarked, “After ten years, in the day-to-day life of a school, it can be easy to lose sight of just how hard founding a school can be, and the kind of personal sacrifices and risks that so many people took to turn an idea of a school into Maui Preparatory Academy.

“Those founders and the first founding generation of students, faculty and school leaders were true pioneers for West Maui and role models for each subsequent generation for how to build community, a new ‘ohana, both literally and figuratively,” he continued. “Therefore, and in order that their sacrifices and contributions can continue to serve as important teaching moments for all of us into the future, we must continue to retell the stories of Maui Prep’s founding and honor those who have made it possible for us to be a part of Maui Prep for many years to come.”

To help celebrate Maui Prep’s anniversary, the school invites the community to attend events and activities.

The Founder’s Day Founding Fathers Flapjack Breakfast and Morning Charity Fun Run/Walk will be held on Friday, Oct. 16, sponsored by Slappycakes and benefitting Keiki Cupboard.

The Tenth Anniversary Gala (formerly the Jingle Bell Ball) is slated at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016.

The seventh annual Tom Rosenquist Legacy Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016. This event honors one of the school’s founders, Tom Rosenquist; not only is it a successful fundraiser for MPA, but it memorializes his words: “It’s for the kids.”

And a Sunset May Day and Luau will be held on Friday, May 6.

The community is invited to join the Maui Prep ‘ohana in celebrating this milestone and experiencing the school’s beautiful campus firsthand.

Though the school has been around for only ten short years, Maui Prep students have accrued many accomplishments.

The Middle School Science Olympiad team wins the regional competition nearly every year and has made it to both state and national competitions repeatedly.

The newly formed High School Science Olympiad team boasted a regional championship in their very first year and earned their way to the state competition.

Over the years, students have won numerous awards at both the regional and state levels in National History Day competitions, with several students earning a chance to compete at the national level in Washington, D.C.

The 2014-15 Middle School Robotics team decided to go to the state tournament on a whim to gain some experience. They ended up winning the competition and went all the way to the VEX World Championships in Kentucky.

The success does not stop at academics, however.

Over the years, there have been several state medalists in swimming, success in Maui Interscholastic League girls cross country and an MIL championship in girls surfing.

MPA is proud to have many MIL all-star athletes that excel on and off the field.

For more information on Maui Preparatory Academy’s tenth anniversary events, enrollment opportunities for both day and international boarding students, or to schedule a campus tour, contact Director of Admissions Cathi Minami at (808) 665-9966 or cminami@mauiprep.org.

Visit the Maui Preparatory Academy websites at www.mauiprep.org or www.mauiprepboarding.org.