For the 2025 school year, there are 19 private schools serving 5,392 students in Hawaii County, HI (there are 55 public schools, serving 27,203 public students). 17% of all K-12 students in Hawaii County, HI are educated in private schools (compared to the HI state average of 20%).
The top ranked private schools in Hawaii County, HI include Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Kamehamaha Schools - Hilo Camp, and Ho'ala School.
The average acceptance rate is 74%, which is lower than the Hawaii private school average acceptance rate of 77%.
55% of private schools in Hawaii County, HI are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Seventh Day Adventist).
Top Ranked Hawaii County Private Schools (2025)
School
Location
Grades
Students
65-1692 Kohala Mountain Rd
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-7321
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-7321
Grades: K-12
| 599 students
1067 California Avenue A
Wahiawa, HI 96786
(808) 621-1898
Wahiawa, HI 96786
(808) 621-1898
Grades: K-8
| 37 students
Kamehamaha Schools - Hilo Camp
(Church of Christ)
162 Baker Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 982-6885
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 982-6885
Grades: K-8
| 340 students
Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus
(Christian)
16-714 Volcano Road
Keaau, HI 96749
(808) 982-0008
Keaau, HI 96749
(808) 982-0008
Grades: K-12
| 1,136 students
Makua Lani Christian Academy![Makua Lani Christian Academy Photo - The high school campus houses grades 5-12 on a lush 14 acres with ocean views. Makua Lani Christian Academy Photo - The high school campus houses grades 5-12 on a lush 14 acres with ocean views.]()

(Christian)
74-4966 Kealaka'a Street
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 329-4898
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 329-4898
Grades: PK-12
| 364 students
4910 Honoapiilani Hwy
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 665-9966
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 665-9966
Grades: PK-12
| 311 students
16-675 Milo St
Keaau, HI 96749
(808) 966-8445
Keaau, HI 96749
(808) 966-8445
Grades: PK-12
| 234 students
Haili Christian School
(Christian)
190 Ululani St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-5026
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-5026
Grades: PK-9
| 190 students
Hale Aloha Nazarene School
Daycare / Preschool (Church of the Nazarene)
595 Kupulau Road
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 959-4949
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 959-4949
Grades: NS-PK
| 33 students
Hawaii Montessori Schools - Kona Campus
Montessori School
74-978 Manawalea Street
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 329-0700
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 329-0700
Grades: PK-K
| 80 students
International Christian Schools Kona
Montessori School (Christian)
75-5851 Kuakini Hwy Ste 228
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 326-4411
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 326-4411
Grades: PK-K
| 48 students
KOhala Adventist School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
553357 Akoni Pule Hwy
Hawi, HI 96719
(808) 289-0623
Hawi, HI 96719
(808) 289-0623
Grades: 1-8
| 7 students
Kona Adventist Christian School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
82-1013 Kinue Rd
Captain Cook, HI 96704
(808) 323-2788
Captain Cook, HI 96704
(808) 323-2788
Grades: K-8
| 31 students
Makua Lanii Christian Academy
(Christian)
74-4907 Palani Rd
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 329-3093
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 329-3093
Grades: PK-6
| 157 students
Malamalama Waldorf School
Special Program Emphasis
15-1834 Maku'u Drive
Keaau, HI 96749
(808) 982-7701
Keaau, HI 96749
(808) 982-7701
Grades: PK-8
| 132 students
Mauna Loa School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
172 Kapiolani St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-1545
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-1545
Grades: K-8
| 50 students
Montessori Education Center Of Hawaii
Montessori School
Opelo Road
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-9214
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-9214
Grades: PK-K
| 35 students
Waimea Country School![Waimea Country School Photo - Hands-on Science in our K/1st multiage class Waimea Country School Photo - Hands-on Science in our K/1st multiage class]()

Alternative School
65-1237 Kawaihae Rd
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-0067
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-0067
Grades: K-6
| 48 students
Hawaii County Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Hawai'i Montessori Schools - Kamuela (Closed 2015)
Montessori School
64-1058 Mamalahoa Highway
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-7683
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-7683
Grades: PK-K
| 54 students
St. Joseph School (Closed 2010)
(Catholic)
999 / 1000 Ululani St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-4936
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-4936
Grades: PK-12
| 312 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private schools in Hawaii County, HI?
The top ranked private schools in Hawaii County, HI include Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Kamehamaha Schools - Hilo Camp, and Ho'ala School.
How many private schools are located in Hawaii County?
19 private schools are located in Hawaii County.
How diverse are private schools in Hawaii County?
Hawaii County private schools are approximately 33% minority students, which is lower than the Hawaii private school average of 72%.
What percentage of students in Hawaii County go to private school?
17% of all K-12 students in Hawaii County are educated in private schools (compared to the HI state average of 20%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Hawaii County?
55% of private schools in Hawaii County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Seventh Day Adventist).
Which private schools in Hawaii County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Hawaii County include: Parker School vs. Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Hale Aloha Nazarene School vs. Haili Christian School, Waimea Country School vs. Parker School
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