“Catholic Virtual High School at Sacred Hearts offers a high-quality program at a fraction of the price of other private school tuition and fees,” Principal Tonato Lolesio told the Lahaina News.

LAHAINA – The Catholic Virtual (CV) High School opportunity is trending in Lahaina, with Sacred Hearts School offering a fully accredited college preparatory program in the 2020-21 academic year for grades 9-12.

As a first step, a CV Team was formed with new SHS Principal Tonato Lolesio at the lead. Other persons joining the Catholic Virtual learning force were Business Manager Manny Fernando, Admissions and Development Director Yvette Richard, eighth grade Teacher and Middle School lead Patty Wurst and School Board President Amy Sharp.

“My Catholic Virtual Team and I had been working on this program since the start of the fourth quarter, when schools began distance learning. We felt that if there was ever a time to begin Catholic Virtual High School at Sacred Hearts School, this would be it,” Lolesio explained.

It didn’t take long for the idea to launch.

“After consulting with Catholic Virtual partner schools on Oahu (St. Michael’s),” Lolesio continued, “we began the process of seeking permission to begin high school at Sacred Hearts. Retired Superintendent of Catholic Schools in Hawaii, Dr. Mike Rockers, guided us through the process, which had to be approved by Bishop of Honolulu, Most Reverend Larry Silva.

“On June 26, 2020, Bishop Larry Silva gave his blessings and permission for SHS to begin Catholic Virtual High School.”

An Open House for Catholic Virtual High School at Sacred Hearts in the upcoming 2020-21 school year will be held Sunday, July 12, at noon. The group will meet in the school courtyard.

The event will feature a Q&A session with Program Director Lolesio and the Leadership Team, tour of the High School Learning Center, registration information and scholarship opportunities.

Space is limited. Contact Yvette Richard at (808) 298-9679 or e-mail yrichard@shsmaui.org to register.

Sacred Hearts is partnering with Catholic Virtual: “We nurture Catholic education around the globe with high quality online and blended learning programs,” its website reads (www.catholicvirtual.com).

CV is a college preparatory school, offering a highly engaging, academically rigorous program designed to challenge each student.

All classes are web-based and consist of a combination of teacher-directed independent study and participation in webinars, online chat sessions, tutoring and interactive activities.

The weekly schedule allows students to participate in prayer services and other SHS on campus and peer activities.