Hawai`i Preparatory Academy is a co-educational, college-preparatory, day and boarding school. Here on Hawai`i Island, our students live and study within rare landscapes, precious ecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. We embrace these attributes to create unique signature programs, research partnerships, and growth opportunities that make HPA a school like no other.
HPA is Accepting Applications. The 2023-2024 application season has begun! We are accepting applications now through our priority deadline of February 9, 2022. After that, we will move into the rolling application phase.
Hawai'i Preparatory Academy is a top rated, private, boarding school located in KAMUELA, HI. It has 572 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. Tuition is $60,900 for the highest grade offered. After graduation, 95% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college.
The school is located in the beautiful, rural setting of Waimea on the northern side of the spectacular island of Hawaii, which National Geographic named one of the best places in the world to live.
HPA is a place for highly-motivated students who seek a rigorous academic program while engaged in extraordinary learning experiences. Our unique island location, which boasts 80 percent of the world`s ecosystems, allows us to offer students unprecedented opportunities outside of the classroom. Students assist in our world-renowned Sea Turtle Research Program; work in our internationally-recognized Energy Lab, and can choose from an extensive schedule of Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
Students are given the opportunity to do cutting edge research in independent projects such as brain research, genetics, astronomy, and geology; and HPA partnerships with organizations like Stanford University, Cornell, Keck Observatory, and NASA expose students to more "real world" research and a strategic advantage when applying to universities.
HPA offers two, three-week summer school for students ages eleven through seventeen with mostly enrichment courses including SAT prep, math, science, English, ESL, and the arts.
Quick Stats (2023-24)
- Grades: (Boarding) 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 380 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $60,900
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $30,500
- Acceptance rate: 42%
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 10 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Hawaii Preparatory Academy ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 99 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1949
1906
Campus Size
220 acres
130 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
380 students
314 students
% Students of Color
53%
25%
% International Students
18%
20%
% Students Boarding
50%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
18
17
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
86%
71%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$51 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$60,900
$62,920
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$30,500
$35,700
Tuition international students
$71,500
$54,500
Summer Program Cost
$4,800
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$12,750
$25,000
Acceptance Rate
Application Deadline
Feb. 10 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
65%
-
Acceptance Rate
42%
60%
Director of Admissions
Mrs. Tiare Judd Police, '86
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
18
17
Courses
Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Japanese, Physics B, Psychology, Spanish, Statistics, Studio Art, U.S. History, World History, Art History, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, French, Physics C
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
23
16
College Matriculation
Year: 2005 - 2009
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of Hawai‘i-Manoa
25
University of Oregon
18
Santa Clara University
13
University of Washington
11
University of Denver
9
Colorado State University
8
University of Colorado-Boulder
8
Oregon State University
7
The George Washington University
6
University of Southern California
6
School Notes
- Students pursue an ambitious, well-rounded course of studies in small classes taught by a dedicated, highly professional faculty using the latest in educational technology. The challenging academic curriculum takes advantage of Hawaii's geographic and social setting to give students a strong sense of Hawai`i and its culture. The marine science program, in collaboration with NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, offers unrivaled encounters with the island`s remarkable ocean environment. Partnerships with its high-tech neighbors such as the Mauna Loa Observatory enable participation in real-world, cutting edge research Offerings also include programs in the visual and performing arts as well as an Upper School interscholastic athletic program that stresses school-wide participation and teaches the values of sportsmanship and fair play. About 98 percent of graduates enter college in the fall following their high school graduation. Many choose colleges in the western United States, favoring such schools as Lewis & Clark College, Pomona College, Santa Clara University, Stanford University, University of Southern California, and the Universities of California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Others seek experiences farther east at such institutions as Amherst College, Boston University, Bowdoin College, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, George Washington University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton, and Vanderbilt University. HPA is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of 12 educational organizations including the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, College Entrance Examination Board, Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, Cum Laude Society, National Association of College Admission Counselors, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and National Association of Independent Schools.
- Hawaii Preparatory Academy accreditations: HAIS, WASC, NAIS, TABS
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Hawaii Preparatory Academy cost?
Hawaii Preparatory Academy's tuition is approximately $60,900 for boarding students and $30,500 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy?
The acceptance rate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy is 42%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
What sports does Hawaii Preparatory Academy offer?
Hawaii 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. Hawaii Preparatory Academy is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
Does Hawaii Preparatory Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Hawaii Preparatory Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Hawaii Preparatory Academy's ranking?
Hawaii Preparatory Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percent faculty with advanced degrees, Most sports offered and High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Hawaii Preparatory Academy?
The application deadline for Hawaii Preparatory Academy is Feb. 10 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 10 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
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. . .
The campus location in Hawaii is very unique, and I think that this is a big plus for people coming to study outside of the state. Although I personally went home the majority of weekends. . .
Show more reviews (4 reviews)
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