The Castle Foundation has a long history of supporting educational initiatives that lead to better teaching, better facilities, and better outcomes for children. With a belief that high-quality early education is fundamental for giving children and families the best chance for equal educational opportunity, the Foundation focuses on fostering substantial academic results and healthier lifestyles through excellent preschool education.
The Castle Foundation Grant supports independent preschools in their efforts to achieve or maintain accreditation through recognized educational agencies such as NAEYC, HAIS, WASC, NECPA, and WINHEC. The foundation believes that accreditation status is a significant quality indicator, benefiting both teachers and students by potentially allowing schools to charge higher tuition, which in turn supports fair compensation for teachers. The grant provides $15,000 to $25,000 to qualifying schools, which are expected to match this funding and are encouraged to seek additional support from other Hawaii-based charitable organizations if necessary. The foundation has allocated $100,000 to assist schools with the improvement efforts required for accreditation.
The foundation primarily concentrates on the early education of children aged 0-5. It favors initiatives that enhance the accessibility of high-quality early education for families with low income. Due to the high expenses associated with building new preschools, the Foundation opts to support established schools and promotes the intelligent utilization of current facilities and infrastructures.