Scholarship Program and Invitation
to Apply for Pre-School Tuition Assistance
for trustee meeting in February, 2027
For many years, even decades, the Castle Foundation has sponsored large grants and annual scholarships for low- to moderate-income families and children. The intent was to boost enrollment in our accredited private preschools while providing greater educational opportunities for families unable to afford full tuition. Since the 1990s, several million dollars have been committed to accredited preschools.
After numerous discussions with preschool leaders, an advisory group of pre-K teachers, and my trustees, we have decided to continue this tuition assistance opportunity for 2027. We cannot replace Public Preschool Open Doors funding. Our intent is to provide additional, flexible tuition assistance, with POD as the foundation for fundamental pre-K enrollment support. We evaluate all our areas of contribution each year and believe this one-year commitment is appropriate given the current uncertainty in need.
Given the statewide respect for the high-quality, accredited preschools listed below (there are many such preschools not on the 2027 list because we lack the several million
dollars needed to meet every need), we invite your application for calendar year 2027. Our
total budget is $310,000, and we have allocated specific amounts to be requested by our application deadline of December 15, 2026, with a trustee decision scheduled for February 9, 2027.
The due date for these applications is December 15, 2026
List of Eligible Accredited Pre-Schools for Calendar Year 2027
| NAME of Pre-School | PURPOSE | SUGGESTED AMOUT |
| KCAA | 2027 Scholarships | $25,000 |
| Seagull Schools | 2027 Scholarships | $25,000 |
| Rainbow School | 2027 Scholarships | $25,000 |
| YWCA of Hawaii Island (Hilo) | 2027 Scholarships | $25,000 |
| Catholic Diocese | 2027 Scholarships for all Catholic preschools | $75,000 |
| Aloha School Early Learning Center | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| Na Kamali`i Hoaloha | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| Wailuku Union Church Pre-School | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| YMCA of Honolulu | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| L. Robert Allen Montessori Laboratory School – Chaminade University | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| Kahului Baptist Preschool | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| Ae Kamali’i Pre-School | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| Good Shepherd Pre-School | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| Kauai Montessori Project | 2027 Scholarships | $15,000 |
Directions for Applying for the 2027 Tuition Assistance Project:
All applications are due by December 15, 2026, and may be submitted at any time before then. Our tuition assistance trustee meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2027.
Here is what you must include in your concise request:
- Please submit your request with a one-page introductory letter signed by the school
director and the board chairperson. In the letter, state what you are applying for, the
amount requested, and how your organization aligns with the mission of the Samuel
N. and Mary Castle Foundation. You should also include brief information about
your accreditation status, your history, and the number of students you serve. - Include 2-4 pages that describe your school in more detail, including its unique
qualities, its importance to your community, the size of your student body, your
success in Kindergarten Readiness, and how you engage parents and families. Also
include the number of faculty members and how you provide ongoing professional
development to them. Provide one example of professional development provided
to your faculty in 2026. Finally, explain how students are selected and how their
families will be informed of the source and amount of the tuition assistance we are
asked to provide. - Include your current operating budget, as approved by your board of directors, and
your most recent school financial statement. - Finally, include a list of your current board of directors.
Should you have any questions, please contact Alfred L. Castle, Executive Director of the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, by email at castlefdn@gmail.com or by phone at 808-522-1101.
mailing address:
733 Bishop Street, Suite 1275
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Final Report for Your Tuition Assistance Grant is due 12 months after receipt of check
All successful applicants for pre-school tuition assistance should prepare a simple final report. In the report narrative, please answer the following questions:
- How many pre-school students were assisted by the Castle Foundation grant?
- Provide a brief financial statement of funds received from the grant and funds expended. Were any funds left over?
- How was the grant distributed? Who received the assistance and over what period of time?
- How did you inform the family of the child where the scholarship came from?