Hawai’i Preparatory Academy
Overview
Part of our vision at Hawai’i Preparatory Academy is Ka Makani Ho’okele; the wind that sets you on your course and propels you on your voyage. At HPA we believe that every student embarks on his or her own unique voyage which is why we provide an immense range of exceptional academic athletic and creative opportunities to cater to all kinds of students and interests. During your time at HPA you’ll not only discover exciting new possibilities and ideas but you’ll also come to realize precisely who you are and what you want to be. Each department offers autonomous study and research opportunities and our passionate faculty are committed to providing guidance and support in order to help you succeed as you embark on your own path. At our international award winning Energy Lab you can join forces with NASA scientists preparing a mission to Mars or write an article for the Washington Post. In your English 12 class you can perform your own stand-up comedy routine or write a science fiction novel. As extracurriculars you can get your SCUBA diving certification or star in the fall musical. If you’re an athlete you can catch some waves with your outrigger canoeing crew or help our varsity soccer team take home the state championship for the third year in a row. And you can do all this and more with 80% of the world’s ecosystems and the incredible beauty of Hawai'i Island just outside your door. Discover more about our academics campus life arts athletics and the Energy Lab in the tabs below. As an HPA student you’ll have a leg up when applying to your dream university. Our rigorous curriculum and unique academic opportunities paired with 18 Advanced Placement courses and a distinguished college counseling center make HPA students serious contenders for acceptance into the most prestigious and selective universities around the world. HPA alumni are currently attending schools such as Harvard Yale Brown and Stanford as well as international schools such as the University of Edinburgh McGill University and King’s College London. Check out our College Info section to learn more about why HPA students achieve such outstanding college results. At the core of HPA is our close-knit international residential community that fosters independent happy confident and balanced individuals. We can’t wait for you to join our ‘ohana (family) so visit our website to learn more about this remarkable school we call home.
Academics
Summary: Whether you want to explore the edges of the universe, read great literature, try your hand at standup comedy, learn new languages, or work the land and become an agroecologist, Hawai’i Preparatory Academy can give you the opportunities and tools you need to fulfill your academic potential. At HPA, you can collaborate with NASA scientists preparing a mission to Mars, intern with an editor of the Washington Post, work with some of the world’s top astronomers, write and direct your own one act play, and partner with NOAA to help research and protect sea turtles. Our faculty (90% of which have advanced degrees) are more than just teachers; they are dedicated, enthusiastic mentors, determined to help you succeed, create, lead, and thrive. Here at HPA, the possibilities are limitless. Here are some highlights of our academic program: Joint project with NASA’s HI-SEAS (Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) World-renowned sea turtle research program Digital journalism and internships with The Washington Post Biotechnology projects using DNA PCR Thermocycler and UV Transilluminator Using motor nerves and brainwaves to control missing/damaged limbs Electroencephalogram (EEG) Brain Project Astronomy internships with internationally-recognized observatories Gene splicing with CRISPR Cinematography for PBS Hawaii’s “Hiki No” (the nation’s first student new network) Partnerships with Stanford and Cornell University Environmental studies and sustainability Advanced computer science, robotics, and drones Electrical Engineering Virtual reality projects
Department Director Amy Cole
Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 59
Number of AP Courses Offered: 18
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 90%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0