NAPILI, Maui — The Maui Preparatory Academy board of trustees voted this week to add a pre-kindergarten and elementary program.

The school, built on 15 acres donated by Maui Land and Pineapple Co., opened in 2005 with nearly 40 students in grades 6 through 8.

High school grade levels will be added over the next four years.

The decision to expand to lower grade levels came after parents raised more than $600,000 toward an elementary school, and after the families of 61 children paid deposits to enroll. Maui Land and Pineapple provided a matching $700,000 gift to the academy, and gave $150,000 for a scholarship fund.

Head of School Jack Rizzo said renovations are under way for the first phase of the high school, which includes covering the athletic deck and building additional classrooms.

A 3,000-square-foot building, which was originally slated to be the library, will be converted into an early childhood center for children who will be 3 years old by Aug. 1.

For more information, call (808) 665-9966 or visit www.mauiprep.org.