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A Scholar, An Educator, A Donor: The Impact of the Maui Prep Experience
Growing up in West Maui, I have always been drawn to Maui Preparatory Academy. The beautiful campus, excellent faculty, and continuous positive comments from family and friends about how impactful the school is led to my strong desire to attend. I was grateful and honored to receive the Pueo Scholar Award in 2023. Without the generosity of the donors, attending Maui Prep would not have been an option for me.
Starting my freshman year at a brand-new school was definitely intimidating; however on my first day, I was immediately greeted by new friends, supportive teachers, and a compassionate community. This warm welcome allowed me to feel completely comfortable and hopeful for this exciting new chapter in my life.
Maui Prep’s athletic and academic reputation was a major draw for me. Growing up, I was always passionate about basketball and hoped I could play in high school. I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of Maui Prep’s first-ever girls’ varsity basketball team. While that first year was tough, our continued teamwork and dedication allowed us to go from losing every game to becoming one of the top teams to beat. On the academic side, the guidance and commitment provided by the faculty have benefited me immensely. Before attending Maui Prep, I found it challenging to write a simple essay; now, I am proud to say that literature is one of my favorite subjects. The perseverance and dedication I have developed here are traits that I will carry with me through college and into my adult years.
I will be forever grateful to the faculty, staff, and the entire Maui Prep ’ohana for their hard work and encouragement each and every day. Once again, none of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors. Attending this school has been, and continues to be, a truly life-changing opportunity.
Lily Buden '27
Lily Buden '27
In 2012, my family moved from O‘ahu to Maui, and my son enrolled at Maui Prep as an eighth-grade student. From the moment we toured the beautiful campus, I knew this was a special place. Although I was teaching at another school at the time, I quietly dreamed that one day I might have the opportunity to teach at Maui Prep. That dream became a reality in the summer of 2023.
Little did I know that my first year at Maui Prep would be one I would never forget. On August 8, 2023, our quaint and historic town of Lahaina was devastated by the wildfire that changed our community forever. Maui Prep quickly became a place of refuge, opening its doors to support those affected. As the school prepared for an uncertain year, I was asked to meet with families as they navigated difficult decisions about their children’s education after losing so much.
That year, I welcomed 28 students into my classroom, many carrying experiences and challenges far beyond what any child should have to endure. What could have been an overwhelming year became the most rewarding of my more than 20 years in education. I witnessed extraordinary compassion, resilience, and generosity. I saw students, families, faculty, and community members come together to support one another in remarkable ways.
Being part of that outpouring of care deepened my gratitude and reinforced why teaching is so much more than academics.
As I enter my fourth year at Maui Prep, I continue to reflect on the privilege of not only educating children but also impacting the lives of students whose parents have entrusted them to my care. I am grateful to work alongside dedicated and passionate colleagues who inspire me every day. The love, encouragement, and support I have received from parents, students, and coworkers is truly special. Maui Prep is more than a school—it is a community rooted in compassion, connection, and purpose. I know without a doubt that this is where I am meant to be.
Mrs Wyndy Quandt, 3rd Grade Teacher
For many years, our family lived and worked hard in Arizona, with our driving goal always being a move to Hawaii. During those years in Arizona, our boys (Aaron ‘29 and Rory ‘30) attended distressed schools and struggled through online learning during COVID-19, falling behind as students.
When we were finally able to make the leap to Maui, we took just one drive through the Maui Preparatory Academy campus—even before taking an official tour or submitting an application. After everything our family had been through, that drive filled our eyes with tears. We felt an overwhelming sense of relief and joy, knowing we had finally found a school where our sons could stay all the way through graduation. While all of Maui has so much to offer, Maui Prep was the ultimate reason we chose to live in Lahaina specifically. We just knew our sons needed to be here.
If you have ever listened to families talk about Maui Prep, I am sure you have heard how beautiful and full of character the school is. However, being on campus is something that truly needs to be experienced firsthand.
Year after year, Maui Preparatory Academy exceeds our expectations in both academics and athletics! More importantly, though, Maui Prep is a true ’Ohana—a genuine community for students and families alike. It has been one of the best decisions we have ever made, not only for our kids, but for our entire family. Driven by the support and dedication of their teachers, principal, administration, and peers, Maui Prep turned my sons into Honor Roll and Head of School list scholars. They both love going to school and deeply appreciate how lucky they are to step onto campus every day.
We support Maui Prep for so many reasons, but the teachers and staff truly stand far above and beyond those of any school we have experienced before. Everyone’s dedication and love for the students shines through every aspect of daily life, offering a level of constant encouragement and guidance that can only come from truly seasoned educators. Our family is committed to doing everything we can to give back, from coaching the golf team to building sets for the school play! We are also proud to contribute financially because we wish that every child had the opportunity to experience Maui Prep, and we strongly support the school’s commitment to financial aid and scholarships. If you want to learn more about our precious haven, please reach out—there is so much more to discover!
Jeff and Jessica Hall
Maui Prep Supporters since 2022
Jeff and Jessica Hall
Maui Prep Supporters since 2022
About
Maui Preparatory Academy is a preschool through 12th grade private school located in West Maui.
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