Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy’s fully licensed Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) program is open on our Village Campus in Waimea. The program supports families from the first steps of their children’s educational journey.
We know you may have questions about this new program, so we’ve prepared answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you have additional questions, email admissions@hpa.edu.
Our Pre-K program emphasizes joyful discovery, inquiry-based learning, and a strong sense of community. Rooted in the values and traditions of Hawai‘i, we foster each child’s natural curiosity, creativity, and compassion in a warm and inclusive environment. HPAʻs Pre-K will lay the foundation for Kindergarten readiness, and most importantly, lifelong learning.
Tuition has been set at $15,900 for the 2026-2027 school year. Multiple payment plans will be offered upon acceptance.
Each day includes Morning Aloha, kilo (observation) and protocol, outdoor play, literacy and math exploration, integrated learning centers, lunch, rest time, movement activities, and closing circle. Learning is guided by children’s interests and seasonal or cultural themes.
Both. We believe play is the foundation of meaningful early learning. Through exploration, children delve into literacy, math, science, and social studies concepts in age-appropriate, strengths-based, and hands-on ways. Our inquiry-based approach ensures learning is engaging and developmentally appropriate.
We honor Hawaiian culture through daily protocol (e.g., oli, kilo), moʻolelo (storytelling), mele (music), and place-based exploration. Children learn to respect and care for the land, each other, and their community—core tenets of HPAʻs Mālama Kaiāulu sustainability compass.
Children must be at least 3 years old and not yet 5 years old by July 31 of the year of enrollment to be eligible to apply for the Pre-K program.
If your child turns 5 years old on or before July 31 of the enrollment year, they are eligible to apply for the Kindergarten program instead.
We maintain low adult-to-child ratios to ensure individual attention and a strong sense of safety and belonging. Our class will be capped at 18, with two full-time licensed early childhood education instructors. This early childhood division will be overseen by the lower school leadership team, led by our Lower School Principal, together with support from our Director of Auxiliary Programs.
Yes. Children must be fully toilet independent prior to enrollment. This is important for safety, hygiene, and supporting independence.
We use a combination of weekly newsletters, digital apps (such as Seesaw), in-person check-ins, and family conferences. We value open, respectful, and timely communication. Our collaboration is important for building your keikiʻs success and love for school!
Yes. After lunch, children rest on individual mats with soft music or stories. Those who do not fall asleep engage in quiet, calming activities. This downtime helps support self-regulation and healthy rhythms.
We use responsive classroom practices, positive guidance, and restorative practices/conflict resolution strategies to help children develop empathy, communication, and emotional regulation skills.
We observe and respond to each child’s strengths and needs, offering differentiated support, hands-on materials, visual tools, and small-group instruction. We collaborate with families to support each child’s growth. You are your childʻs first and most important teacher!
For 2027–28 entry, the priority application deadline is January 15, 2027. Applications received after the deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to space availability.
No. Students who complete the HPA Pre-K program and are interested in attending kindergarten at HPA will be required to apply for kindergarten through the regular application process on myHPA, in the same pool as all other kindergarten applicants. This is a separate admissions process. Attending the HPA Pre-K program will not automatically enroll students in HPA’s kindergarten.
The program will run parallel to the academic year calendar (August-May). School hours will be approximately 8 am to 3 pm. We will not be offering a PreK after-school program at this time.
While HPA’s financial aid program currently supports students in grades K-12, we recognize that the cost of early childhood education can be a significant burden for many families. Fortunately, there are several external programs — such as Preschool Open Doors (POD), Child Care Connection Hawai‘i (CCCH), and Kamehameha’s PKS program — that offer assistance for preschool-aged children, and we encourage families to explore these resources.