2024 Best Private K-12 Schools in Hawaii

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  563 reviews

Alum: I am a graduate of Iolani School and loved my time there! The school's state of the art facilities and well-trained faculty provide students with an abudance of opportunities to be an active participant in the school and island community. During my time at Iolani, I was involved in student government, athletics, and our schools annual 'Iolani Fair, a fundraising event specific for student activities and travel. Of the many things I appreciate at 'Iolani, I love the home-like, hearthy atmosophere of the campus, faculty, and student body. The small teacher to student ratio provides opportunties for students to develop actual relationships with teachers so much so that teachers then become mentors to us students. Being a well-established private school with a large alumni network, 'Iolani has provided a lot of opportunities to meet, learn from, and interact with a substantial amount of previous students and others who are currently excelling in their line of work.... Read 563 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,214

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Hauula, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: My family and I joined APIS this fall and have been overwhelmed by the strong sense of community here. K-12 students from all around the world are working together and enjoying one another on this beautiful and well-resourced campus. The passionate, dedicated, and hands-on faculty and vibrant student body make APIS a very special place!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 150

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  458 reviews

Parent: I really have nothing negative to say about Punahou School. One of the best all-around private schools in the state, if not the nation, with respect to faculty, facilities, athletics and extracurricular opportunities. At the high school level, Punahou is truly focused at preparing their students to be successful in college and in life, in general. They also have an excellent team of advisors and counselors that can assist students when they need support. Great school!... Read 458 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,744

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Kamuela, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  178 reviews

Senior: As a currently enrolled student at Hawaii Preparatory Academy and have been attending here since the sixth grade, I would say that HPA is a well diverse community. It is one of the characteristics that I enjoy. Meeting new people and learning about other cultures from around the world is one of the greatest aspects of my school. Another trait that I particularly like is campus life, meaning the students, teachers, and school events contribute to a positive and healthy community. The students are welcoming and eager to make new friends. The teachers are open and want to help me and everyone else who attends HPA to be the best they can be. Although HPA has a couple of positive qualities, there are also a few negatives. I think that my worst experience while attending HPA is how distant they are with Hawaiian culture. I struggled balancing school and my culture. Eventually, school become a greater priority and I lost a connection to my community.... Read 178 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 572

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  190 reviews

Parent: I enrolled my child in Mid-Pacific after homeschooling. From an academic standpoint, we were really successful homeschooling, but my daughter craved more social interaction. We looked for a school that could scholastically challenge her while also providing lots of extra-curricular, club, and enrichment opportunities. Mid-Pacific has provide all that we wanted and more. My child is thriving. As we close out our first year at Mid-Pacific, she is enjoying strong friendships, has been recommended to take advance 10th grade math (in 9th grade) next year, and is a finalist for a state film award. Moving from homeschooling to Mid-Pacific has been excellent decision!... Read 190 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,401

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Kailua, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  191 reviews

Sophomore: I loved the community atmosphere! I felt that I learned about all aspects of knowledge, through different style assessments and through the different teachers. Sophomore year was a great year! I enjoyed completing the personal project, reading 1984 in my language and literature studies, and learning about chemistry and physics. I feel that this past year prepared me for the Diploma Programme that I have ahead of me for the next two years. The wide range of studies, and the open schedule allowed me to fully participate in my passions. The impact block program allowed me to take zoom flute lessons with a teacher in Boston.... Read 191 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 795

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Lahaina, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  41 reviews

Senior: I really love Maui Preparatory Academy because it starts to feel like a family. Since the class size is pretty small it allows you to know your classmates and teachers really well. You have the ability to make really close friends and form connections with your teachers. I have been at this school since Pre k-3 and I am a graduating senior this year. During my time here I have been able to be involved in the community and make some really close friends. Overall, it is a really great school that really demonstrates aloha.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 271

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  47 reviews

Parent: Our son attended the Prep and our daughter the Preschool and we loved the school. The attention and care my son received from his teachers in the Prep was exceptional. The teachers are truly what makes this school such a good one. When we moved off island for work and attended a new school, we got constant feedback from our son's new teachers about how well he was prepared and how ahead he is in school. It has been a few years since attending the Prep and my son is constantly asked to serve his new school in leadership roles through student council and mentoring programs (he helps other kids who need a boost academically). I truly believe it was because of his experience at The Prep that he is able to thrive in other places. Our experience with the Preschool was also awesome. The Nu'uanu play yard and the teachers are what makes Queen Emma so special. Teachers there truly love what they do and are dedicated to their students.... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 237

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Lihue, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  77 reviews

Parent: Island School has been undergoing change over the past 5-6 years. Although the leadership has changed several times, overall the educational experience remains high. Unfortunately the school runs on a pretty thin margin and they don't have much extra money for better salaries, more teachers, etc. With that said, they have just completed a new building for the high school and have made other improvements to the campus. Although teachers can be hard to retain on Kauai, they have teachers in several key positions that keep up the standards. So despite its issues, Island School is the best school on the island, especially for High School.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 498

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Kamuela, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  46 reviews

Senior: I am going into my fourth year at Parker (senior) this year, and Parker has been a great place to attend. The teachers have been able to culture and foster my curiosity for learning to help me achieve goals I had not imagined before attending Parker. That all being said, I have found that my success at the school can primarily be attributed to my motivation to do so. The school could do a better job engaging and motivating students who aren’t the typical straight-A or near-A students. To be clear, that isn’t the teachers' fault at all, and they are all stellar (they love to teach and are highly knowledgeable). I think the issue comes from the administration, which could better create a curios learning environment for students through activities outside the classroom. Overall, Parker is an excellent academically focused school, and if you want to find academic rigor and challenge, you can do that here; you just have to be thoughtful about what you take (Honors and AP classes available).... Read 46 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 338

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hilo, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  24 reviews

Parent: Feeling blessed that St. Joseph is an option here on the Big Island. Given that it's a school on a neighboring island, our family is grateful for what's in place and what the possibilities are here. There are opportunities to improve every curriculum, but it would be great to have a robust music, performing and fine arts program here instead of seeking outside programs in those areas. The administration is professional, friendly, humble, and the meeting parents is one of the best parts about having children attend this school. The teachers know the students, and the students don't feel like a number. The school is near a police station, but it would be on my wish list to have better security measures in the most discrete way so that parents, faculty, staff, and most importantly, the children feel safe. The academics is rigorous but with a balance of ways to burn energy in fun ways through recess, gym, or through other positive outlets. Picking up, dropping off, and parking are great.... Read 24 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 211

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Kapolei, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  12 reviews

Junior: I've been attending this academy since kindergarten. This school has provided me with so many opportunities and skills to prepare me for college. Because of the vast options of things that I've been a part of at school, I feel that I'm more than ready for college life. I'm a competitive swimmer, certified Lifeguard, open water diver, have had lead roles in musicals, I sing, dance, hula, compete in dance competitions, part of the NHS and so much more. Thank you American Renaissance Academy for preparing me so well for college. I couldn't have done all of this without the support of my teachers and coaches!... Read 12 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 101

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  151 reviews

Parent: I cannot say enough about the amazing experience my family has had at Hawaii Baptist Academy. From the minute we walked into the office for our tour, we felt like family. I am a teacher with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a passion for best practice in education. I didn’t know what to expect from teachers in the private school sector, but I am blown away with the teachers’ extremely rigorous but supportive instruction they provide. I’m watching my child in the junior kindergarten answer higher-order critical thinking skills and her curiosity and creativity have come alive! The same goes for my older child who has learned collaborative skills from her teacher that are usually taught at a higher grade level. After being bored in the public schools, I feel she is finally being challenged and exposed to whole-child education. I am so thankful to send my child to a school with such a positive environment and amazing, loving adults who genuinely care.... Read 151 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,110

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.78 out of 5  23 reviews

Alum: I attended Kaimuki Christian School from kindergarten to 12th grade, and KCS definitely provided me with the skills I needed to succeed! I loved my teachers at KCS! Besides being among the most supportive people I have ever met, their commitment to encouraging students both inside and outside the classroom should be commended. Whenever I needed help, they provided it without question. Furthermore, they were always willing to provide non-academic advice, which was highly useful when I was trying to determine which path I should take post-graduation. This ability to be able to approach my teachers and ask them questions without hesitation has served me very well in college; unlike some of my classmates, I was able to talk to my professors whenever I had problems, which not only helped me understand the material but also form relationships. In short, KCS provided me with an extremely nurturing and loving environment while still remaining a place where I could be academically challenged.... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 318

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  104 reviews

Alum: Not only are facilities fantastic, but the staff are extremely knowledgeable and supportive. They really helped me to foster the skills I needed to succeed not only academically but also socially! Additionally, Sacred Hearts Academy's courses, extracurriculars, and student culture all work in tandem to support student's interest in a variety of things to expand the breadth of their skills and push them to be well-rounded individuals.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A

• Students 713

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Keaau, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.76 out of 5  45 reviews

Senior: Christian Liberty Academy (CLA) is an amazing school that is unlike other schools. Being a Christian school, CLA teaches students to have Christ-like character and develop academic accountability. These are things I’ve learned and developed since my freshman year all the way up to my senior year. In CLA, I’ve always been welcomed and treated as family and it’s not often where you come across teachers who play ping pong or basketball with you or even spend extra time out of class to make sure each student understands the material he is being taught. I’ve also learned to have Christian character and academic accountability. I’ve grown in my character by developing maturity, kindness, forgiveness, sincerity, care, responsibility, and acceptance. The environment and the academics makes CLA an amazing school. There really isn’t anything I would change about the school’s dynamics. I highly recommend attending Christian Liberty Academy!... Read 45 reviews

• grade A

• Students 233

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Kailua, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.65 out of 5  20 reviews

Parent: Small, but mighty! We adore TCS. Our experience here has been nothing short of life-altering. Caring teachers and administrators. God is ever present in the positivity of this school. The curriculum is "classical," but it is anything but old and stodgy. Sometimes, tried and true methods really work and the time- tested curriculum at Trinity is so solid and rooted in fostering successful, thoughtful, curious students. The regular, very creative "excursions" are our favorite aspect of the school. The kids learn everywhere they go, even on "beach days." We love TCS.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A

• Students 285

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Kilauea, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Senior: It's a good, small school. The elementary and preschool programs are amazing. The highschool and middle school could use some work.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 107

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Kapolei, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  87 reviews

Senior: My love for Island Pacific Academy goes beyond words. It is a place where academic excellence, strong community, character education, global perspective, innovative teaching, cultural diversity, and a beautiful campus come together to create an extraordinary educational experience. IPA has had a profound impact on my life, shaping me into a well-rounded individual with a passion for learning and a deep appreciation for the values it upholds. It is more than just a school; it is a place where dreams are nurtured and futures are built, making it an institution that I hold in the highest regard.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A

• Students 585

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  78 reviews

Senior: Saint Louis School has helped me grow as a person in many ways. It helped me become mentally and physically stronger. It has taught me a lot of life lessons. Our motto is the "Brotherhood," and I can tell you right now, that really does mean something. I care about each and every person that attends Saint Louis School. I feel like we all have a brotherly connection and we all have each other's backs. It's a bond no one can break. What I would like to see a change in this school is some of the Staff members. Some teachers are not fit to teach. I feel like we would have a better opportunity and chance of learning if we had a more organized and educated teacher.... Read 78 reviews

• grade A

• Students 882

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Kailua-kona, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  25 reviews

Senior: I loved that the teachers were intentional with each and every student, and made it their priority to have a personal relationship with the students. Something I would like to see is more class options.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A

• Students 215

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Waianae, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• grade A

• Students 70

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  42 reviews

Parent: My children love Christian Academy. They feel it is a safe place for them. They have grown in their education and in God. The elementary teachers love, grow, and challenge the students. My child in middle school has electives and student leadership opportunities. Middle and high school get to go on a missions trip to neighbor islands in the spring. The mission trip has given my child a sense of community and a heart to serve. Christian Academy has been a good fit for our family.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A

• Students 252

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Honolulu, HI•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.49 out of 5  141 reviews

Alum: I loved my time at Maryknoll! The teachers, office staff, coaches, and students were all extremely helpful and welcoming during my time as a student. There was and continues to be a sense of “family” and community. Alums often comeback in support of events or athletic games. Teachers were knowledgeable and are willing to help students. I am grateful for my academic and spiritual experience at Maryknoll.... Read 141 reviews

• grade A

• Students 876

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Wahiawa, HI•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: They really focus on building character. In particular, I did a lot of service-learning and community outreach activities there. Unfortunately, this school lacks resources as it is very small.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 95

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1