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2019 Best Public High Schools in HawaiiAbout this List

The 2019 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 64
Best Schools
64 results

  1. Education Laboratory School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 114
    1 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: University Laboratory School, is a nice open campus. With our science classes a lot of what we do is a lot of hands on projects. I think that this is wonderful to have in a school because it can prep kids for what happens in real life. All of our teachers really want to get to know us and not just by our names. All of the staff and students are friendly with one another. However, this is a open campus meaning that anyone can come onto our campus. The school lunches are provided for students everyday. Also our classrooms are in real good condition which makes the environment a better learning experience, but can be a little hot since there is no air conditioning in some classrooms.
    Read 114 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 442 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Mililani High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 603
    2 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: Mililani High School is one of the best public high schools in the state of Hawai'i! I believe this to be true because being a MHS student/alumni, I have experienced the greatness of MHS first-hand! For one, the athletics is amazing; with almost every sport winning some sort of title-whether it'd be OIA or states-the team essence just makes a family of everyone. All of the opportunities to take advanced classes truly made the academic aspect of MHS a rigorous schedule! Ultimately, the staff, faculty, and teachers also have a huge impact on why MHS is such an amazing school! The majority of the workers truly want their students to succeed, and you can see that being reflected by how they sincerely care for their students and offer help.
    Read 603 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,495 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. Moanalua High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 475
    3 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Moanalua High School is often regarded as one of Hawaii's "private" public schools. I can genuine attest to the positive impact that the school's excellent faculty, engaged student body, committed academics, and outstanding student organizations have on the surrounding community. The music department in particular is one of Moanalua's strong departments. Members of the music department are also stellar students, outgoing club members, and true leaders of the school. The music directors are a perfect example of the great MoHS faculty: strong, compassionate, and knowledgeable mentor figures for the students. The school is not perfect, but students, parents, and faculty at the school function in harmony, which helps to solve disputes and struggles very effectively. Moanalua is a great place to go to school!
    Read 475 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,982 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. Sponsored

    Woodberry Forest School

    • Private School
    • Woodberry Forest, VA
    • 9-12
    • 28

    Senior: Totally prepares you for college courses and college life! The teachers really work with you and care about you. The campus is 1200 acres, truly amazing. It's an all boys school grades 9-12 with about 100 boys per grade. It's boarding students only (no day) so your friends are with you all the time.
    Read 28 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 399 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. President Theodore Roosevelt High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 391
    4 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: President Theordore Roosevelt High School overall was a fairly exceptional school. It offered an enormous support system throughout the four years I've been there to all their students by ensuring all students are provided with help from simply the janitors for directions to the right classroom to the councilors for college and career advice! On the other hand, one thing I see a great opportunity for this school to improve on would be better considering the student and faculty physical comfort. Many classes did not have working air conditioning units causing classrooms to overheat, thus creating an environment which negatively affects student success by causing students and faculty to overheat, suffer from fatigue, and be constantly bothered by an apparent distraction. I propose the school to install better and functional air conditioning systems to aid their physical well-being during lectures which in hand would benefit student and teacher performance.
    Read 391 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,362 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Kalani High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 262
    5 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Kalani had given me experiences of well rounded people and diversity. Along with the supportive administration, academics was strong for the learning capabilities for each individual person. School events were held and students proudly showed their school spirits, making each event a great experience for all students. Teachers also showed intensive care for students both academically, mentally, and socially. Sports is a big part of Kalani High School, bringing students together to do something they all relatively love. Lastly, for many students, College Counseling is available for everyone. With the help from the counselors, students are comfortable with talking about their lives after college. They help by providing us guidelines on how to pick perfect colleges, how to apply and make resumes, as well as encouraging signing up for financial aids, scholarships, and much more.
    Read 262 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,314 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  7. Hawaii Technology Academy Public Charter School

    • Online School
    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 37
    6 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Junior: Hawaii Technology Academy is a great public charter school. This particular school is very unique in the state of Hawai'i and it is very similar to college, so it's a great school to prep your high schoolers for college. Hawaii Technology Academy is unique in that its students do not attend school every single day like other public, private, and charter schools in Hawai'i. With their blended education learning system, students have set days to attend school. For example, high schoolers attend school on Tuesdays and Thursdays while elementary students attend school on Wednesdays. One thing that Hawaii Technology Academy can approve upon is the amount of space the school has. Hawaii Technology Academy is a growing school and their enrollment doubled at one point while I attended the school, so the space itself was hard to move and work around in.
    Read 37 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,003 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Waiakea High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 244
    7 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Sophomore: Waiakea High School is a student-led school. This means that despite teachers and staff are still in charge, they teach the students to become independent by leading their own events. The school often holds events to raise school spirit and provides fun events as well as goodies to those that participate in events. The academics are very good, though every school has room for improvement. The diversity of the school is amazing! You get to see so many different types of students here, as well as teachers. The school often takes students out to different countries to help the students experience the outside world.
    Read 244 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,187 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Kihei Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 67
    8 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: I like the atmosphere that is provided to the students to encourage future career options as well as having a very accepting school community. The teachers are amazing and strive to have close relationships with students to ensure that each of them succeeds. I hope that soon the school's facilities and sports teams will have more to work with because as of now, those resources are seriously lacking.
    Read 67 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 560 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. President William McKinley High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 339
    9 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Being in McKinley High School has taught me many things. One thing i absolutely love about this school is the teachers and the students on campus. Throughout my four years of being a student here, I build many strong and an amazing bond with the faculty here!
    Read 339 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,585 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Henry J. Kaiser High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 318
    10 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: Its a great school filled with good people. The teachers are what makes school enjoyable and these teachers definitely have made high school the best. Like every school there will be knuckleheads and people that aren't so well mannered in public settings but that's only the 5% of it. The rest of the 95% is nothing but greatness!
    Read 318 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,136 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Myron B. Thompson Academy Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 20
    11 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: MBTA gave me the opportunity to pursue theatre on a much more full time basis. the flexibility in the class schedule allowed me to make time for things that actually mattered to me, rather than sit 8 hours a day in a classroom for an education i didn't want. With MBTA, i left highschool at age 16, getting my GED and graduating a full two years earlier than i would have in a traditional school. The assignments were challenging, but only rarely to the point where they were completely uninteresting.
    Read 20 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 683 Students
    • 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. Leilehua High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 475
    12 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: Down to earth students, faculty and staff members. Great community and environment! Teachers were always very helpful and determined to lead us on the right path for graduation readiness and prep for college. Students were very connected and had varieties of cultures around the school which taught me to work well with every student.. we always met coming and going military students and transfers from around the wrold ! This school felt like home
    Read 475 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,696 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. West Hawaii Explorations Academy Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 6-12
    • 20
    13 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Sophomore: West Hawaii Exploration Academy: Most of the students take the public bus for an hour or more to commute to this unique high school opportunity. At Whea we focus on STEM Sciences such as marine biology and robotics. We have really amazing opportunities like having a shark tank on campus and getting to travel to neighboring islands to present at scientific symposiums.
    Whea is project based which leaves a lot of time for spending time outdoors. Students only spend 1-2 hours in a classroom each day. The rest of the day is spent on field trips to the mountains or ocean or appreciating what our beautiful campus has to offer. This education style has made me passionate and concerned with environmental stewardship by instilling in me the deep understanding that we need to protect these learning resources so the next generations will be able to enjoy them as well.
    Read 20 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 286 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  20. Adm. Arthur W. Radford High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 329
    14 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: The thing that I love about going to my school is that everyone around you is unique in their own way. Culturally speaking, Radford High School is one of the most ethnically diverse schools in Hawai'i, due to it being the most easily accessible from our surrounding military bases near Pearl Harbor. There's nothing a High School student can't do while attending Radford. We offer world languages, several AP classes, and many clubs! Student involvement in sports & extracurricular activities also plays a big role for students here at Radford.

    One facet I'd like to see change is our classroom conditions. Throughout my 4 years as a student at Radford, none of my classes have been supplied with air conditioning. Being pestered by the heat I think contributes largely to our learning & focus in each of our 7 periods, and without funding by the state of Hawai'i to receive installation of air conditioning, each classroom has 1 or 2 oscillating fans with a ratio of 30 students per class.
    Read 329 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,327 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  21. King Kekaulike High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 212
    15 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: my high school experience was pretty good. I think that there are more academic possibilities such as AP classes. Even though some students will not pass with a 3 for the final exam, i think the experience is all that really matters. Our sports are struggling but that only means more for improvement. I think that the diversity at the school is well supported with many intelligent students that bring different cultures and experience. Like i said before i think that because there are many AP class opportunities, it causes for college readiness for students that do not know how to prepare for college.
    Read 212 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,030 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. Kalaheo High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 151
    16 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Kalaheo High School has a very diverse population. It is in a great neighborhood and very close to the beach and military base. I enjoyed the art classes and photography classes. There are many dedicated teachers that go the extra mile to ensure that the students are learning at a rigorous pace. The AP and Honors classes were challenging and the teachers were very passionate about their teaching. I do feel that the school was lacking spirit and many of the facilities were old and worn out. The classrooms were often hot and overcrowded. Overall, I thank the dedicated teachers who do their best to make sure the students learning comes first made this a 4/5 school.
    Read 151 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 903 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Waialua High & Intermediate School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 7-12
    • 111
    17 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Waialua High and Intermediate School has been an amazing school to me. I was in the 7th grade when I started to attend the school. I had no friends so I was so scared for the first day of school. But when I got there, I was so surprised! Everyone was extremely nice! Definitely not what I was expecting because of stories I'be heard about how middle school/high school is supposed to be like. I am so happy I attend Waialua High and Intermediate and will definitely be sad when I graduate. It's such a living community, everyone is family at Waialua.
    Read 111 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 670 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Pearl City High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 382
    18 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: In the past 4 years, Pearl City High School has been able to inspire me to do great things for my community and expand my knowledge. Being a Charger, Pearl City High School students is something I am proud of since the school is actively trying to have student involvement and have students be ready by the time they enter into college. From the start of my high school year to the end I have seen a vast improvement in school facilities and college readiness. Not only have I been able to see the school improve but the school has shaped me into an independent and reliable young adult. The school has taught me social skills and teamwork which allowed me to apply these skills into adulthood. Pearl City High School is improving more and more facilities allowing students to expand their knowledge and have college readiness.
    Read 382 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,623 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  27. Kapa'a High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 194
    19 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: I loved the warrior spirit! The teachers always offer help to those who really needs in, the clubs such as interact and key club are very active in the community, and coaches for sports are always up for helping someone improve in their game as well motivating the team to remember what they learned in practice. Everyone is a team player!
    Read 194 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,038 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  28. Connections Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 5
    20 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Junior: I like how we are all a family and so small and so close together. I also like how it has a perfect view of the ocran. I love the food.I also love how the kids can take college classes.
    Read 5 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 359 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. Kealakehe High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 242
    21 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Kealakehe High School offers students a diverse community with quality education. There are superb teachers who really do care for their students and the quality of their educational content. The curriculum is good and the AP classes are rigorous, challenging, but very beneficial.

    However, there are always some negatives; nothing is really perfect.
    Read 242 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,223 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  30. Waipahu High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 446
    22 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: There are many opportunities at Waipahu High School. Students are able to choose from a number of career pathways to focus on. I am in the Arts & Communication pathway and it has been a blast. Waipahu high school also has the most language classes in the state of Hawaii. You can choose from languages like Japanese, Spanish, Ilokano, and Korean. At Waipahu, you also have the ability to take early college courses. I have taken 4 college courses and have received 11 college credits in return. My favorite thing about this high school is homecoming week. For each day of the week is a different event. We have Field Day, Blue and Gold Day, Alma Mater day, and the last day is Arthurs Awards where each grade level challenges each other to a cheer off. You can see this event on youtube. I am glad to a Marauder!
    Read 446 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,451 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  31. Review Your School

  32. Maui High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 228
    23 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: My experience at Maui High School, was amazing. The teachers there really care about their students and will do all they can to help us succeed. Especially the counselors. They have been working with us since freshmen year to prepare us for college. They have great academics as well, which is why I transferred to this school immediately. & let’s not forget about our band, who has been asked to be at the rose parade. Or the baseball team being championships. The clubs are great at this school too! I was apart of deca, and as we would travel to Oahu we were back to back known as the “best DECA chapter”. Overall, like I said before this school is amazing.
    The only thing I would probably change is to see more supplies for classes such as science classes or arts and communication classes, even business classes.
    Read 228 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,895 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  33. Aiea High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 275
    24 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Sophomore: I like, actually, I love everything about 'Aiea High School! I am an exchange student from Europe and I am feeling so, so, so blessed that I got this unique opportunity to study at this high school, really! All the classes, people that I met - they are just awesome and all the positive energy that I feel and see around, it is just perfect! Teachers are outstanding, lessons are amazing and integrity is always the main point here! Every student is very responsible and respectful, every teacher knows his work and how to do everything. All is organized and so well done! It is a privilege for me to be in this school, it will forever and ever be my family!
    Read 275 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,034 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  34. Kanu O Ka 'Aina Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 17
    25 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Niche User: Although we could strengthen our academics, if I had a choice to do it over I would attend this school. Attending the school since preschool has allowed me to grow up knowing my surroundings. It is a culturally based school, so I am getting a balance of western education as well as the history of my blood. Being able to connect to my history and surroundings has helped build a strong foundation for me. I was able to flourish as the person I am without being judged. I was given freedom to explore myself, my culture, and the place where I grew up. Without this cultural grounding, I am not sure who or where I would be today. The past 14 years have taught me a lot, and the strong foundation that was built helps to leave to college easier. I know that I will create something on this foundation.
    Read 17 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 325 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  35. Sponsored

    BASIS Independent McLean

    • Private School
    • McLean, VA
    • PK, K-12
    • 9

    Parent: Our son is currently in the 2nd grade. He has been at the school for two years, and it has been a wonderful experience. The enthusiasm of the teachers, who are truly experts in the subjects they teach, is infectious. They consistently set high standards for all students at every stage of their academic career. This is a school that prioritizes academics and the students themselves; it is targeted to students with intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic. We are very happy here!
    Read 9 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 375 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    Norfolk Academy

    • Private School
    • Norfolk, VA
    • 1-12
    • 130

    Parent: Norfolk Academy provided an extraordinary educational journey for my two children, fueling their curiosity and inspiring them to explore new avenues that they might not have discovered without the incredible teachers and coaches at this school. My oldest child, who came in sixth grade, now studies engineering at an Ivy League university; he particularly loved the robotics team, as well as soccer, swimming, and crew teams. My youngest child, who is a senior at NA, came in first grade, and she has developed a passion for medicine and health, largely through the school's Global Health Fellows program and the Medical Scholars program.
    Read 130 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,203 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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