Hawaii Preparatory Academy is a co-educational,college-preparatory, day and boarding school. On Hawai'i Island,you will live and learn within spectacular landscapes, vitalecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. At Hawai'i PreparatoryAcademy, we embrace these unique resources to create researchpartnerships, signature programs, and exceptional learningopportunities that make HPA a school like no other.
HPA is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 applicationseason! We are accepting applications now through our prioritydeadline of February 10, 2024. After that, we will move intothe rolling application phase.
Hawai'i Preparatory Academy is a top rated, private, boardingschool. It has 572 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacherratio of 8 to 1. Tuition is $64,800 for the highest grade offered.After graduation, 95% of students from this school go on to attenda 4-year college.
The school is located in the beautiful, rural setting of Waimeaon the northern side of the spectacular island of Hawaii, whichNational Geographic named one of the best places in the world tolive.
At HPA, our location allows us to offer a high school educationlike no other. We combine a rigorous, college-preparatorycurriculum with the chance to design and conduct your ownreal-world research, arts, or community projects. Through capstoneclasses, 16 Advanced Placement courses, our award-winning EnergyLab, immersive local learning, and other signature programs, wesupport and empower you to hone skills, build confidence, andcreate an impressive body of work for college and later life.
Students are given the opportunity to do cutting edge researchin independent projects such as brain research, genetics,astronomy, and geology; and HPA partnerships with organizationslike Stanford University, Cornell, Keck Observatory, and NASAexpose students to more "real world" research and a strategicadvantage when applying to universities.
HPA offers two, three-week summer school for students ageseleven through seventeen with mostly enrichment courses includingSAT prep, math, science, English, ESL, and the arts.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12, PG
- Grades: (Day Students) K-12, PG
- Enrollment: 400 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $64,800
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $32,500
- Acceptance rate: 42%
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / Feb. 10 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 276 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1949
1907
Campus Size
220 acres
130 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
400 students
320 students
% Students of Color
53%
27%
% International Students
17%
20%
% Students Boarding
45%
66%
Average SAT Score
1180
(Out of 1600)
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »
Average ACT score
22
(Out of 36)
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
No
Average Class Size
15 students
12
* National Avg. »
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
16
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
86%
73%
Summer Program Details
Accreditations
The Association of 91±¬ÁÏs (TABS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS)
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
16
18
Courses
Biology Calculus AB
Calculus BC Chemistry
Psychology Statistics
U.S. HistoryArt History
Comparative Government and PoliticsEnglish Language and Composition
English Literature and CompositionEnvironmental Science
Human GeographyPhysics C
Physics IPrecalculus
Spanish Language and Culture
Tuition & Financial Aid
Endowment Size
$51 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$64,800
$69,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$32,500
$38,970
Tuition international students
$76,100
$58,300
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$59,100
$49,624
Summer Program Cost
$4,800
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$12,750
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / Feb. 10 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
65%
-
Acceptance Rate
42%
64%
Director of Admissions
Mrs. Tiare Judd Police, '86
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
23
17
School Mascot
Ka Makani
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
School Notes
- Founded in 1949, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) offers arigorous, K-12 college-preparatory education, offering a dynamicglobal learning community. Rooted in the inclusive concept ofohana, HPA is a unique place to learn global citizenship andprepare for the college experience. HPA combines a traditional,vigorous foundation in the liberal arts with student-driven,project-based learning. Our curriculum and school culture aredeeply influenced by a strong sense of place here on Hawaii Island,in the heart of world-famous Parker Ranch.
- HPA serves 600 students in grades K-12 on two campuses, theVillage Campus and the Upper Campus. The Village Campus is home toour Lower and Middle Schools and comprises eight acres in the heartof downtown Waimea and where our kindergarten through grade 8students attend classes.The Upper Campus comprises 220 acresin the foothills of the Kohala Mountains and is located a fewminutes outside of Waimea. It is home to the Upper School (grades 9to 12, and postgraduate).
- The Upper School academic program combines traditionaleducation with our capstone project-based learning.HPA`sinternational award-winning Energy Lab hosts students engaged inindependent research and serves as the school`s sustainabilityprogram hub. Here students concentrate on advanced computerscience, robotics, and drones. Biotechnology projects using DNA PCRthermocycler and UV transilluminator, digital journalism andstorytelling, electrical and mechanical engineering.
- Over the years, students have partnered with organizations likeNASA, the W. M. Keck Observatory, NOAA, the Pacific Tsunami WarningCenter, and others. Upper School students can also select from anextensive schedule of Honors and 17 AP classes.In addition tothe Energy Lab, HPA offers a large heated pool, Issacs Art Gallery,tennis court with four courts, various water sports, an establishedafter-school athletic program, horseback riding, a world-renownedSea Turtle Tagging program, and many extracurricular activitieswhere you can get your SCUBA diving certification or star in thefall musical.
- Day students from Hawaii are joined by boarding students from15 states and 25 countries to create a diverse, international`ohana. Boarding students live in three residence halls located onthe Upper Campus, where they gain independence and are immersed inschool life that extends well beyond the classroom.Graduatesoften end up attending the finest universities around theworld.
- HPA is accredited by the Western Association of Schools andColleges and the Hawai`i Association of Independent Schools.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Laura Jim ’91, Co-Director, HPA Sea Turtle Research Program, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, Science Educator -
- Ford Stallsmith ’20 -
- Jim Kennedy, class of 1966 -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy cost?
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy's tuition is approximately $64,800 for boarding students and $32,500 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy?
The acceptance rate of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy is 42%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy?
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy famous alumni include: Laura Jim ’91, Co-Director, HPA Sea Turtle Research Program, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, Science Educator, Ford Stallsmith ’20 and Jim Kennedy, class of 1966.
What sports does Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy offer?
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy offers 23 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Polo, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling.
Does Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.
What is Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy's ranking?
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy?
The application deadline for Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy is Jan. 15 / Feb. 10 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 / Feb. 10 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
HPA stands out for its remarkable sense of community, which truly feels like one big family. The connections between students, teachers, coaches, and faculty create an environment where everyone genuinely cares about each individual. This. . .
HPA Campus is set up in a unique natural surrounding.
HPA does a lot of volunteer work.
HPA has a lot of good and nice teachers. They help you where they can. . .
The boarding and day community were both very diverse, inclusive, and welcoming. They encouraged a lot of socializing and bonding that effectively made the school feel like family. The events that were held such as. . .
Show more reviews (5 reviews)
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