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Hawaii Preparatory Academy

65-1692 Kohala Mountain Rd Kamuela, HI 96743

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked HI School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 614 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $74,800
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
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Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked HI School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 614 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $74,800
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Hawaii Preparatory Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Hawaii for:

Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered
School Resources

School Facts

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Students By Grade
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1949
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
First Day of School
Tue. Aug 10, 2027
Last Day of School
Fri. May 26, 2028
Campus Size
230 acres
School Motto
A place to learn like nowhere else

Student Body

Total Students
614 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
45%
State avg.: 72%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers
84 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
15 students
Average SAT score
1320
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
36
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
No uniform
Number of AP Courses
20 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Art HistoryAP Biology
AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC
AP ChemistryAP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and CompositionAP Environmental Science
AP Human GeographyAP Physics C
AP Physics IAP Precalculus
AP PsychologyAP Spanish Language and Culture
AP StatisticsAP US History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition is $29,000 for Lower School (kindergarten through grade five), $32,500 for Middle School (grades six through eight), and $37,500 for Upper School (grades nine through twelve). Boarding tuition for students in grades nine through twelve and postgraduate students is $68,300 for Hawai‘i in-state residents in seven-day boarding, $74,800 for domestic students, and $87,900 for international students. To qualify for Hawai‘i in-state boarding tuition, the applicant’s family must maintain its primary residence in Hawai‘i and submit a Hawai‘i Resident Tax Return (Form N-11).
Summer Program Cost
$5,400
% on Financial Aid
48%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$18,000
Acceptance Rate
70%
National avg.: 85%
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Admissions Director
Tiare Judd Police, '86
Admissions Associate
Janet Kalaniopio
Application URL
Endowment Size
$51 million

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
32 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Debate and Speech ClubEnvironmental Club
Instrumental MusicLiterary Magazine
Newspaper


Club or Organization:
Chess ClubCollege Counseling Club
Cycling ClubElectronic Music club
Film ClubHawaiian Club
International ClubJapanese Club
Ka Makani ClubNorth Hawai'i Youth Coalition
Nutrition ClubOrigami Club
Peer Assistance ProgramPhilosophy Club
Photography ClubProject Water Club
Red Cross Youth GroupRed Key Guide Club (Student Ambassadors)
Robotics ClubSAT Club
Spanish ClubStudent Council
Students Against Destructive DecisionsStudents for China Club
Tea & Philosophy ClubVocal Music
Yearbook

School Notes

  • Hawaii Preparatory Academy is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school serving students from Pre-K through grade 12, with boarding available in grades 912 and a postgraduate option. On Hawaii Island, students learn among extraordinary landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and cultures from around the world. We bring these resources into the classroom through research, signature programs, and experiences that make HPA a place to learn like nowhere else.
  • HPA is now accepting applications for the 20272028 school year! The priority application deadline is January 15, 2027, for day students and February 10, 2027, for boarding students. Applications received after these deadlines will be reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to space availability.
  • HPA combines personal attention, a challenging academic program, and a welcoming school community to prepare students for college and life. According to our latest published school profile, an average of 97% of graduates over the past 25 years have chosen to attend four-year colleges and universities. Tuition varies by grade level and boarding category, with financial aid available to qualifying families.
  • Located in Waimea on northern Hawaii Island, HPA offers two campuses surrounded by rolling hills and views of Maunakea. Our island setting connects students to a rich cultural community and provides exceptional opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.
  • At HPA, students pair a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities to develop their own research, arts, and community projects. Advanced Placement and honors courses, independent capstones, and learning rooted in Hawaii Island help students deepen their interests, build confidence, and develop skills they will carry into college and their careers.
  • Students put their ideas into practice through experiences such as the Energy Lab, Sea Turtle Research Program, Outdoor Program, and school gardens. These opportunities connect classroom learning with scientific inquiry, sustainability, outdoor adventure, and community engagement, giving students meaningful ways to explore their interests and contribute to the world around them.
  • Summer at HPA welcomes students from Hawaii Island and around the world for learning, creativity, and island adventures. Offerings include Summer Academies for middle and high school students, Ka Makani Keiki Camp for younger children, and sports and enrichment camps. Families can visit the for the latest program details and registration information.
  • Founded in 1949, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) is an independent, coeducational day and boarding school offering a rigorous college-preparatory education from Pre-K through grade 12, with a postgraduate option. Rooted in the spirit of ohana, our global learning community combines a strong liberal arts foundation with projects driven by students' interests. Hawaii Island's landscapes, cultures, and scientific resources shape an education that prepares students for college and gives them the confidence to contribute to their communities.
  • HPA serves approximately 600 students across two campuses in Waimea. The eight-acre Village Campus, located in the heart of town, welcomes students from Pre-K through grade 8. A few minutes away, the 220-acre Upper Campus sits in the foothills of the Kohala Mountains and is home to students in grades 912 and our postgraduate program.
  • Our Upper School pairs challenging coursework with independent capstone projects that allow students to investigate questions, create original work, and address real-world problems. HPA's award-winning Energy Lab provides space, technology, and faculty mentorship for exploration in fields such as computer science, biotechnology, engineering, digital storytelling, and sustainability. Students develop their ideas through research, experimentation, and hands-on work.
  • HPA students have collaborated with organizations including NASA, the W. M. Keck Observatory, NOAA, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Alongside honors and Advanced Placement courses, students can explore marine conservation through our longstanding Sea Turtle Research Program, earn scuba certification, pursue outdoor adventures, compete in interscholastic athletics, or perform onstage. A heated swimming pool, four tennis courts, and the Isaacs Art Center further enrich the HPA experience.
  • Students from Hawaii learn alongside classmates from across the United States and around the world, building friendships that cross cultures and continents. Boarding students live in three residence halls on the Upper Campus, where supportive routines, shared experiences, and increasing responsibility help them develop independence. Personalized college counseling helps students identify universities that match their interests, strengths, and goals.
  • HPA is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Hawaii Preparatory Academy cost?
Hawaii Preparatory Academy's tuition is approximately $74,800 for private students and $5,400 for summer students.
What schools are Hawaii Preparatory Academy often compared to?
Hawaii Preparatory Academy is often viewed alongside schools like Parker School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy?
The acceptance rate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy is 70%, which is lower than the national average of 80%.
Does Hawaii Preparatory Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Hawaii Preparatory Academy offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.
What sports does Hawaii Preparatory Academy offer?
Hawaii Preparatory Academy offers 26 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Fit, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Indoor Soccer, Lacrosse, Polo, Rugby, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Hawaii Preparatory Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Hawaii for most sports offered.
What is Hawaii Preparatory Academy's ranking?
When is the application deadline for Hawaii Preparatory Academy?
The application deadline for Hawaii Preparatory Academy is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Hawaii County, HI is $21,277 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Hawaii County, HI is 82% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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