At a Glance

A small island where big things happen

Founded in 1949, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy is a co-educational, college-preparatory, day and boarding school that serves kindergarten through 12th grade, plus a postgraduate year. 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. We exist to empower students with a sense of purpose, and to ensure they have strong core values and the real-world skills to explore and reinvent that purpose over a lifetime.

Our Students

600 students (approximate annual enrollment)
– 200 in Lower and Middle Schools (100% day students)
– 400 in Upper School (50% day, 50% boarding)

Boarding students: 60% U.S., 40% international

We represent three Hawaiian islands, 15 states, and 25 nations.

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Our Faculty

72 HPA teachers
– 10 Lower School
– 12 Middle School
– 50 Upper School

Full time:
–Master’s degrees: 45
–Doctorates: 6

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By the Numbers

Our Island

11 of the world’s 13 climate zones on our spectacular island

Projects & Capstones at HPA

100% of 5th, 8th, and 12th graders undertake an independent capstone project

Sea Turtle Research at HPA

2,200+ students have participated in the sea turtle research program since 1987

Sustainability at HPA

12 sustainability metrics by which we’ll measure progress in our visionary Sustainability Plan

Residential life curriculum at HPA

3 residence halls and 1 cohesive residential life curriculum at the Upper School

Upper school teams at HPA

22 teams and 16 interscholastic sports at our Upper School

Affording HPA

Roughly $3.3 million in total financial aid given to 45% of the student body

Kona HI airport

5 hour flight from Los Angeles to Kona (airport code KOA)

Our Mission & Core Values

Our touchstones for life at HPA: integrity, respect, excellence, and wonder.

Accreditation and Memberships

HPA is dually accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS). HPA is also licensed by the Hawai’i Council of Private Schools (HCPS) and holds memberships in the following professional organizations:

  • The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
  • National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
  • Hawaiian Association of Independent Schools (HAIS)
  • National Association for College Admission Counseling
  • Hawaii Association for College Admission Counseling
  • Council for Advancement and Support of Education
  • Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education
  • Cum Laude Society

Our Future

HPA’s strategic plan, approved by the board of trustees in 2016, provides a road map by which we will ensure our students are equipped to thrive throughout the coming century with its great challenges and unfolding opportunities.