Carden Academy Of Maui (2026 Profile)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Prekindergarten-8
Enrollment: 165 students
Yearly Tuition: $17,828
Application Deadline: Jan. 31
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-8

Students By Grade

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Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Carden Academy Of Maui
Pre-K	11
Kind	16
1	18
2	17
3	18
4	18
5	18
6	13
7	18
8	18

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Year Founded

1998

Student Body

Total Students

165 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

26%

State avg.: 72%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

12 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

National avg.: 11:1

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 31

Yearly Tuition Cost

$17,828

View national tuition avg.

% on Financial Aid

14%

Admissions Director

Mrs. Jenn Haleakala

Application URL

Online Application

School Notes

Educational Philosophy : "The basic purpose of the school is to awaken in each student, the desire to learn and to equip him with a solid foundation of learning skills and basic knowledge which will enable him to reach logical conclusions and to proceed with confidence through a lifetime of learning." Mae CardenThis philosophy is the foundation of the education a child receives at Carden Academy of Maui.
We are committed to Mae Carden's vision and to proven teaching methods, and we provide an academic environment that focuses on the nurturing and development of the whole child.The natural unfolding of a child's mind, personality, and capacities is our primary focus.
This philosophy ensures each child a harmonious adaptation to his environment in an atmosphere of happiness, encouragement, and freedom with guidance.
At Carden Academy of Maui, every child is given a thorough command of scholastic subjects, is awakened to a realization of the beauty of nature and art, becomes conscious of his social responsibility, develops mental, emotional, and physical stamina, and attains the freedom of a well adjusted personality. Our Mission: Carden Academy of Maui is committed to educating the whole child through a balance of academic excellence, character development, and enrichment through the arts in a nurturing, small classroom setting.
We are an independent, non-denominational private school located in Pukalani, in Upcountry Maui. Founded in 1998, the school serves children in Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, with one class per grade and a maximum enrollment of 166 students. Carden Academy of Maui is a member of the Carden Educational Foundation, and is accredited by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Science is one of the core subjects atall grade levels using Delta Education and FOSS science modules, which include hands-on investigations and inquiry-based instruction to master science concepts which correlate with State and National Science Education Standards.
Mathematics is taught using both Singapore Math and Saxon Math. Singapore Math is a results based program designed to build a deep understanding of mathematical concepts through word problems and concrete illustrations. Saxon Math is designed to promote student success through incremental development, continual practice and review, and ongoing, cumulative assessment.
Social Studies is taught using a variety of texts covering geography, history, and current events. Students learn to master skills and strategies including: map skills, reading comprehension, critical thinking strategies, writing and research skills, chart and graph skills, and test taking strategies. The program leads students to see how the land shapes lives while providing the knowledge base students need for exceeding the new national standards in geography proficiency.
Reading is taught simultaneously with writing, spelling, and the fundamentals of grammar. The foundation is phonemic awareness, word attack skills, comprehension, mental imagery, vocabulary development, and rhythm.Literature is selected appropriately for each grade level and presents enduring ideas and values expressed in beautiful language and vivid imagery, thereby building an awareness of the richness of our language and our heritage.
Language incorporates Grammar, which Miss Carden called "the key to comprehension." It covers parts of speech, parts of sentence, verb tenses, and punctuation, and trains the student in analysis and evaluation, as well as in verbal and written expression for the communication of ideas.
Spelling is a unique combination of phonics, listening skills, dictionary marks, clarity of diction, rhythm, and organization. Lessons are taught daily and include sound drills, a vowel chart, rules, word grouping, and recall through mental imagery, not memorization.
Writing integrates the Carden foundation with the Write Source program, and introduces the students to various forms of writing. Processes including pre-writing, outlining and organizing, revising, and editing are taught using a step-by-step approach.
Penmanship (printing and cursive) is an integral part of the elementary curriculum. In middle school, computers are used for the publishing of written works.
Poetry is an essential part of the Carden curriculum. Miss Carden said, "Poetry breathes beauty into the commonplace and lifts the soul." At each grade level the students learn and recite a variety of poems that appeal to a sense of beauty, values, and humor.
Art is an integral part of our program. It provides opportunities for individual, creative expression. Children work with a wide variety of mediums over the course of the year. Students are introduced to art appreciation and art history through discussion of some of the world's great art and artists.
Music is taught to build the love of music and the joy of singing. The children learn a wide range of songs including patriotic, seasonal, Hawaiian, simple rounds, and folk songs. There is a progression of instrumental instruction from percussion in the early elementary levels, to recorder, ukulele, drums, and guitar in the upper elementary and middle school levels. Music appreciation is fostered by listening to the works of great composers.
Dance, Drama, and Creative Movement are used to enrich students' understanding and awareness of self-expression through dance and the stage. Students become comfortable and confident performing and speaking in front of an audience.
Hawaiian Culture: The rich history and traditions of the Hawaiian Islands are experienced through art, dance, music, language, and story-telling. One of the most popular events of the year, the annual Lei Day celebration, includes students performing and singing Hawaiian dances and songs for a large audience of parents, grandparents and special guests.
French is the language chosen for study by Miss Carden because of the many words in the English language that are of French origin. The study of French grammar structure relates to the study of English as well, giving the student a secure base from which to build. Vocabulary building, songs, games, poetry, and visual aids are important techniques used to infuse joy and confidence in the learning of this foreign language.Why do you teach French The study of French enhances the comprehension of English. "YourDictionary.com" explains, "The invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and the subsequent 200 years of French conquest resulted in the English language replacing almost half its vocabulary with French words. (In this last sentence, invasion, conqueror, subsequent, result, language, and vocabulary are all borrowings from French.)" In addition to studying the language, the students enjoy learning French music, customs, and culture.
Due to the high demand, we have added Spanish as a core subject to the curriculum of grades 7 and 8. Approximately 406 million people speak Spanish as a native language, making it second only to Mandarin in terms of its number of native speakers worldwide. It also has 60 million speakers as a second language, and 20 million students as a foreign language.Spanish is the most widely understood language in the Western Hemisphere, with significant populations of native Spanish speakers ranging from the tip of Patagonia to as far north as New York City and Chicago. Since the early 21st century, it has arguably superseded French in becoming the second-most-studied language and the second language in international communication, after English.
Physical Education is an opportunity to put to practical use the standards of behavior set forth in the classroom. The emphasis is on fair play and mastery of fundamental sports skills. The students learn independence, leadership, responsibility, and a respect for the rights and property of others. They learn also that physical fitness is a way of life, not merely a leisure activity.Carden Academy of Maui offers a comprehensive physical education and athletics program that emphasizes personal achievement, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Students learn the rules and strategies of sports and games. They also learn about the importance of physical activity to support a healthy lifestyle.Carden Academy of Maui is proud to be part of the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA), led by Coach Mason.
Character Education is an integral part of our Carden culture and curriculum. Our goal in this area is to build and strengthen each student's self-esteem, sense of honor and integrity, and positive social interactions with others. Teaching the students about virtuous personal qualities is one way we accomplish this mission. A new virtue is introduced each week and reinforced throughout the day. This builds and reinforces individual confidence, self-awareness, personal accountability, and positive social values. These virtues are modeled by the entire Carden staff and kept alive throughout the school year, which culminates with our remarkable Virtues Assembly. During this annual event, each student is publicly honored by their teacher for the distinct virtue they consistently demonstrated throughout the year.
Please see our website at www.cardenmaui.org for more information about clubs, organizations, interscholastic altheltics, and other areas of student and parent life at Carden Academy.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Carden Academy Of Maui cost?

Carden Academy Of Maui's tuition is approximately $17,828 for private students.

When is the application deadline for Carden Academy Of Maui?

The application deadline for Carden Academy Of Maui is Jan. 31.

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 reviews)

5 12/9/2018

We are beyond impressed with the kind loving and nurturing environment of both the staff and students. The school is rigorous, they challenge the students to strive while making learning fun and each student has their own plan to succeed based on needs and capabilities. There is PE four days a week which its only once a week at many schools. She is learning a foreign language, has gardening and her art teacher is super creative. They have music, family nights, monthly virtue assemblies, classrooms are quint, cozy, inviting and each room has AC on the hot days. Her teacher spends every lunch reading a book to the students. The principal greats each child in the morning and helps them out of the car. I could go on and on but not enough room. As wonderful as I thought the school could be they have far exceed any expectation and we are truly fortunate to have our daughter have this opportunity.

- Posted by Parent - The Toros

5 9/10/2017

I'm a parent of a 4th grader and a 1st grader. My kids love going to school every day, and they both have developed a true love of learning. Carden's emphasis on extracurricular activities (French, music, art, PE, etc) and their character education program were what initially drew me to the school, but the excellent teachers are what really set this school apart from the rest. I couldn't be happier with my decision to send both of my children to Carden.

- Posted by Parent - Liz

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Maui County, HI is $14,001 for elementary schools and $17,114 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Maui County, HI is 83% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).