Kapaʻa High School students get head start on college through Chaminade University program

High school juniors and seniors at Kapaʻa High School, along with students from Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School on Oʻahu, can apply for the Chaminade University Early College program to earn college credit while still in high school.

The program provides students the opportunity to earn dual high school and college credit through in-person or online college courses, giving the a taste of college life and an avenue to discover academic interests.

Participating students are able to engage with faculty and fellow students in small classes and have access to academic advising, tutoring services and other student support services on campus.

More than 100 Early College program students from Kapaʻa High School, Sacred Hearts and Saint Louis received a full-day campus visit Monday, which included classes, tours and workshops during Chaminade’s Early College Summit.

In addition to a special welcome from Chaminade University President Lynn Babington and other university administrators, students at the summit visited Chaminade’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation labs, the United Nations International Training Centres for Local Authorities and Local Actors Honolulu Center and Forensic Sciences Crime Scene Lab.

“Hosting these exceptional students is our honor and part of Chaminade’s commitment to offering robust pathways for Hawai’i students to earn college credit, and for some their associate’s degrees, before they even graduate from high school,” said Babington.

Chaminade’s early college students are better prepared for full-time college entry, college life and expectations, according to the university’s website. They also tend to exhibit higher grade point averages, retention rates and graduation rates.

Kapaʻa student Mikaila Keawe was a program participant in 2023. She shared her thoughts about the experience on the website.

“The Chaminade Early College program has greatly challenged and prepared me for the academic rigor of college that I would have not received in regular Kapa‘a High School classes,” Keawe wrote in her testimonial. “I enjoyed being surrounded by other like-minded, goal-driven, determined and motivated peers who pushed me to keep going when things got tough.

“By having these experiences and being surrounded by these types of people, I believe it has set me up for success.”

For questions and eligibility requirements, email to kimberlee.baxter@chaminade.edu.