Parker School vs. Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Should I attend Parker School or Hawaii Preparatory Academy? Visitors of our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare the two schools' rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
Top Rankings
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Hawaii Preparatory Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Hawaii for:
Category
Attribute
Advanced Degrees
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
Overview
At Parker School, every student is known, valued and nurtured.
Our small-school setting and dynamic program foster confident, compassionate individuals who are thoroughly prepared for college, who enthusiastically engage in life and who positively contribute to an ever-changing global community.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy is a co-educational, college-preparatory, day and boarding school. On Hawai'i Island, you will live and learn within spectacular landscapes, vital ecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. At Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, we embrace these unique resources to create research partnerships, signature programs, and exceptional learning opportunities that make HPA a school like no other.
HPA is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 application season! We are accepting applications now through our priority deadline of February 10, 2024. After that, we will move into the rolling application phase.
Hawai'i Preparatory Academy is a top rated, private, boarding school. It has 572 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. Tuition is $64,800 for the highest grade offered. After graduation, 95% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college.
The school is located in the beautiful, rural setting of Waimea on the northern side of the spectacular island of Hawaii, which National Geographic named one of the best places in the world to live.
At HPA, our location allows us to offer a high school education like no other. We combine a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with the chance to design and conduct your own real-world research, arts, or community projects. Through capstone classes, 16 Advanced Placement courses, our award-winning Energy Lab, immersive local learning, and other signature programs, we support and empower you to hone skills, build confidence, and create an impressive body of work for college and later life.
Grades Offered
K-12
K-12
Blue Ribbon School
No
No
Offers Post-Graduate Year
No
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
No
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
n/a
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1976
1949
Students Body
Total Students
317 students
599 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
% Students of Color
52%
21%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Kindergarten Students
14
8
Grade 1 Students
18
19
Grade 2 Students
18
20
Grade 3 Students
18
19
Grade 4 Students
18
21
Grade 5 Students
19
22
Grade 6 Students
27
29
Grade 7 Students
28
33
Grade 8 Students
28
50
Grade 9 Students
34
82
Grade 10 Students
35
94
Grade 11 Students
31
91
Grade 12 Students
29
111
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
67 teachers
% Faculty with Advance Degree
65%
90%
Average Class Size
16
15
Number of AP Classes
12
17
Teacher : Student Ratio
1:9
1:9
Average SAT score
1150
1320
Average ACT score
26
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Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
(No uniform)
(No uniform)
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline
Feb. 5 / rolling
Feb. 10 / rolling
Tuition Cost
$17,890
$59,100
Tuition Notes
K-5 grade tuition for 2020-21: $15995
6-12 grade tuition for 2017-18: $17890
Tuition increase averages between 3-6% per year.400
There are multiple tuition rates according to day or boarding, Lower, Middle, Upper School, or International. The tuition listed is for Upper School 7-day boarding for 2023-2024.
% on Financial Aid
41%
48%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$8,560
$18,000
Acceptance Rate
87%
70%
Admissions Director
Makela Bruno-Kidani
Tiare Judd Police, '86
Admissions Associate
Maile Wong
Jackie Jefferson
Sports
Total Sports Offered
6
26
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
18
32
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
Amnesty International, Chorus, Class Leadership, Dramatiques, Intermural sports, International Thespian Society, Investment Club, Journalism Club, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Pacific & Asian Affairs Council, Parker Bulls Soccer Club, Robotics Team, Speech and Debate, Student Council, Track and Field, Yearbook
Chess Club, College Counseling Club, Cycling Club, Debate and Speech Club, Electronic Music club, Environmental Club, Film Club, Hawaiian Club, Instrumental Music, International Club, Japanese Club, Ka Makani Club, Literary Magazine, Newspaper, North Hawai'i Youth Coalition, Nutrition Club, Origami Club, Peer Assistance Program, Philosophy Club, Photography Club, Project Water Club, Red Cross Youth Group, Red Key Guide Club (Student Ambassadors), Robotics Club, SAT Club, Spanish Club, Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Students for China Club, Tea & Philosophy Club, Vocal Music, Yearbook