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K-12 Schools in Hawaii
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2018 Best Public High Schools in HawaiiAbout this List

The 2018 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.

Best Schools
64 results

  1. Education Laboratory School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 112
    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 112 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 442 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Mililani High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 586
    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 586 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,495 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. West Hawaii Explorations Academy Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 6-12
    • 20
    3 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

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 286 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Hawaii Technology Academy Public Charter School

    • Online School
    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 31
    4 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Alum: While attending Hawaii Technology Academy, I've noticed there is an expectation to be independent which can be intimidating. But, a strength in this school is the care each staff member has for each student. Though the expectation of being independent is there, you are not entirely alone. Teachers and staff are welcome to any questions, or concerns and are open to talking with you about it. I've, personally, been very adamant that I must do everything on my own, but knowing I can reach out to my teachers for feedback or questions really made that intimidating aspect of working independently less scary. It also helps and trains you on working on your own and how to organize your days which is a useful trait. When communicating with my teachers- both, via in person or email- they helped clear up any confusions I had and were willing to talk with me further on the subject if I still had difficulty understanding. This school has a welcoming heart to it.
    Read 31 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,003 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Kihei Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 67
    5 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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  7. Moanalua High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 463
    6 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 463 Reviews

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

    Parker School

    • Private School
    • Kamuela, HI
    • K-12
    • 24

    Parent: We absolutely love Parker! We moved from California to Hawaii and our girls were accepted to Parker. Our girls were welcomed with open arms from both students and teachers. Parker creates a unique and safe place where children feel welcomed and free to express themselves. It truly feels like a family here. They have high academic standards, but they teach in a fun and exciting way. It's the best school around!
    Read 24 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 318 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. Kalani High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 248
    7 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Overall, it is a good school. But the fact it does not have air conditioner takes off one star. Teachers are nice and have their own unique teaching methods. One more thing that I always request to school is AP classes. Our school offers limited choices of ap classes therefore students have disadvantages in college application processes compare to studnets in mainland. Stduents from our school can have 8 ap classes at max but they are all hard core classes, whereas mainland kids have more choices including easier ap classes. Also, our school should offer more ldeadershio position.
    Read 248 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,314 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. President Theodore Roosevelt High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 382
    8 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 382 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,362 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Leilehua High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 453
    9 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 453 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,696 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. President William McKinley High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 331
    10 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: Attending President William McKinley High School is a wonder journey. From the first day of freshman year to my future graduation, it was wonderful. Many memories and friends are made during my journey. Teachers and staff are wonderful in their way of teaching and interactions with the students. Our sports team try their hardest when playing matches. Every student has the tiger pride that spread around the school. McKinley is very diverse in cultures with Filipinos, African Americans, Japaneses, Chinese, Caucasians, Mexicans and more.
    Read 331 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,585 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Henry J. Kaiser High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 310
    11 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 310 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,136 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Adm. Arthur W. Radford High School

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

    Niche User: Adm. Arthur W. Radford High School is the best high school I have ever attened. I am a senior in high school and as a military kid ,I am always moving schools. I have attened a total of four high schools and Radford has the most diverse cultures, and many actitivites to partipate in. There I joined JROTC which I am currently still apart of, INSPIRE youth club to motivate young christian believers to have faith in our Lord , Rotary Youth Club that helped out in the community,Leadership for sophmore and junior year then I created a Make a Wish Hawaii Fundraiser that raised over $300 for local children with life threatening illnesses. All in all ,Radford High School is the beat high school I have ever attened.
    Read 318 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,327 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Waiakea High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 238
    13 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 238 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,187 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Myron B. Thompson Academy Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 20
    14 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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  19. Maui High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 222
    15 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 222 Reviews

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

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 148
    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 148 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 903 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  21. Kanu O Ka 'Aina Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 17
    17 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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  24. Kamaile Academy

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • PK, K-12
    • 7
    18 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii

    Senior: I enjoyed the people at this school. Everyone is loving and caring and really treat each other like family. In addition, the academics are challenging, but it makes their students college ready learners. Despite these things, Kamaile Academy needs to work on helping their students with applying to colleges. There are not many people to go to and ask for help when it comes to this time, making it difficult for the students to do.
    Read 7 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 919 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  25. Kohala High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 97

    Senior: Kohala High school is a great environment for the students of Hawaii and others who move from different places. This school gave me memories that I won't forget and will cherish forever. People here make you feel welcome, and if you have family and friends already there, it'll make it twice as better!
    Read 97 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 250 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Pearl City High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 370

    Senior: Pearl City High School is like my second home. The faculty is very friendly and is always willing to give out a helping hand. It's great to see the staff and students getting so involved in holiday spirit as well as displaying Charger pride! However, I think the current bell schedule is an inconvenience for that periods 1-7 is on a Friday, so students are expected to complete their homework for all periods on Thursday night.
    Read 370 Reviews

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

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 427

    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 427 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,451 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Connections Public Charter School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • K-12
    • 5

    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
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  30. Henry Perrine Baldwin High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 211

    Senior: I am a current senior here at Henry Perrine Baldwin High School. My overall experience with this high school has been a fun and memorable one. I have learned many things through the course of four years attending this school. Over the years, I have gotten to know many faces, and developed lasting relationships with my peers. Although high school is coming to a close for me, I am looking forward to what is in store for the higher educational experience. I wish all my classmates and peers the best of luck with their future endeavors, and to thank the facility and staff for pushing us to graduate high school.
    Read 211 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,387 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  31. Gov. Wallace Rider Farrington High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 431

    Senior: Farrington has made a big change over the years that I've been here. There are many new facilities as well as a future design within the next twenty years. Our academic programs have been continuously growing and changing as well with new advance placement courses, a new music department program, and changes to our academies! But what beats all of the new changes we have is our school spirit; the number one thing I always look forward to when coming to this school. Our school is known for the amount of spirit that we have. We create new cheers every year while being able to revive old cheers. Overall this school is really not what other people think on the outside because we strive for excellence, not average.
    Read 431 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,352 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  32. Castle High School

    • Hawaii Department of Education, HI
    • 9-12
    • 149

    Alum: Going to Castle High School was an amazing experience for me. Everything from the academics to culture even the involvement and support from parents. Castle was not just school it was a lifetime experience. I personally grew up because of this place, I learned how to manage finances, the importance of being and staying involved either it be clubs, sports, and academics such as playing volleyball, being in band and culinary down to after school extra curricular activities. One of the best parts for me was the teachers! Hands down
    Read 149 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,161 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
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2018 Best Public High Schools in Hawaii
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