Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy is an independent, college-preparatory day and boarding school located in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island. Serving students from kindergarten through postgraduate, HPA offers a unique learning environment where ambitious academics, deep community connections, and the extraordinary natural landscape of Hawaiʻi come together.
At HPA, students are encouraged to explore their interests, think critically, and develop the confidence to lead with purpose. The school’s programs are designed to challenge and support learners at every stage, from the joy and curiosity of the Lower School to the independence, creativity, and intellectual growth fostered in the Middle and Upper Schools.
HPA’s location provides students with opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. From the Energy Lab and hands-on sustainability work to ocean, mountain, and cultural learning experiences, students engage with Hawaiʻi Island as a living classroom. These experiences help them build a strong sense of place, responsibility, and connection to the world around them.
The school also offers a vibrant residential life program, competitive athletics, visual and performing arts, student leadership opportunities, and a wide range of clubs and activities. With a welcoming community of local, national, and international students, HPA prepares young people to thrive in college and beyond.
Grounded in the values of Hawaiʻi and guided by a spirit of discovery, Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy helps students pursue their passions, strengthen their character, and imagine what is possible.
What Makes Us Unique
Hawaiʻi Island as a Living Classroom
HPA’s location in Waimea gives students access to extraordinary learning environments, from the slopes of Mauna Kea to the ocean, ranch lands, forests, and cultural sites across Hawaiʻi Island. Students are able to connect academics with real-world experiences rooted in place, sustainability, and community.
A Global Community with a Strong Sense of Place
HPA brings together day and boarding students from Hawaiʻi, the mainland, and around the world, creating a diverse and connected school community. At the same time, the school is deeply grounded in the values, culture, and traditions of Hawaiʻi, giving students both a global perspective and a meaningful connection to place.