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Best private high schools in Hawaii

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April 10, 2024
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Best private high schools in Hawaii

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Hawaii using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

A class of high schoolers as viewed from the rear.
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#30. Ho'ala School

- Location: Wahiawa, HI
- Enrollment: 95 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A student filling out a scantron form for a multiple choice test.
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#29. Maryknoll School

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 876 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A student talking to a teacher in the hallway.
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#28. St Anthony School

- Location: Wailuku, HI
- Enrollment: 143 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#27. Christian Academy

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 252 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students walking down a hallway with their backs facing the camera.
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#26. Maili Bible School

- Location: Waianae, HI
- Enrollment: 70 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student doing a chemical experiment.
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#25. Makua Lani Christian Academy

- Location: Kailua-kona, HI
- Enrollment: 215 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper.
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#24. Damien Memorial School

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 704 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A student raising their hand in class.
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#23. Saint Louis School

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 882 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

An empty school hallway lined with red lockers.
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#22. Island Pacific Academy

- Location: Kapolei, HI
- Enrollment: 585 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A student solving a math equation on a whiteboard.
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#21. Kauai Christian Academy

- Location: Kilauea, HI
- Enrollment: 241 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#20. Trinity Christian School

- Location: Kailua, HI
- Enrollment: 285 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A hallway lined with green lockers.
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#19. Christian Liberty Academy

- Location: Keaau, HI
- Enrollment: 233 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A side view of a person using a laptop in the school library.
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#18. Sacred Hearts Academy

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 713 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#17. Pacific Buddhist Academy

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 73 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#16. La Pietra – Hawai'i School for Girls

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 90 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A group of students walking down the hall with their backs facing the camera.
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#15. Kaimuki Christian School

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 318 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. Hawaii Baptist Academy

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 1,110 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students using microscopes in science class.
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#13. American Renaissance Academy

- Location: Kapolei, HI
- Enrollment: 101 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. St. Joseph School - Hilo

- Location: Hilo, HI
- Enrollment: 211 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students raising their hands for class participation.
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#11. Parker School

- Location: Kamuela, HI
- Enrollment: 338 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A stack of textbooks with pens on top of them next to an open notebook.
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#10. Island School

- Location: Lihue, HI
- Enrollment: 498 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. Seabury Hall

- Location: Makawao, HI
- Enrollment: 517 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student doing classwork on their laptop.
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#8. St. Andrew's Schools

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 237 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A teacher writing an equation on a blackboard using chalk.
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#7. Maui Preparatory Academy

- Location: Lahaina, HI
- Enrollment: 271 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. Le Jardin Academy

- Location: Kailua, HI
- Enrollment: 795 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. Mid-Pacific Institute

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 1,401 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. Hawai'i Preparatory Academy

- Location: Kamuela, HI
- Enrollment: 572 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two rows of red lockers.
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#3. Punahou School

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 3,744 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. Asia Pacific International School

- Location: Hauula, HI
- Enrollment: 150 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A closeup of a student taking notes in class.
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#1. Iolani School

- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Enrollment: 2,214 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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