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Application process

The journey to a Kamehameha Schools education starts here. Select one of the applications below to begin the admissions process to one of our 30 preschools, three K-12 campuses or other community education and campus-specific programs.


Application windows

K–12
August 15, 2024 – September 30, 2024

Preschool
August 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025

Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i
January 2, 2025 – February 15, 2025

Summer School
January 2, 2025 – February 15, 2025


Why choose KS?

Kamehameha Schools aims to develop ‘ōiwi leaders for tomorrow who contribute to their communities, both locally and globally. An education with Kamehameha Schools means being part of an engaging community which embraces the best practices of innovative learning, helping keiki become the best ʻōiwi leader they can be for the lāhui and beyond.


Pauahi

Our Christian values

Princess Bernice Pauahi was a devout Christian ali‘i wahine (noble woman). Her deep faith in Ke Akua moved her to create a school for young Hawaiians, giving them the knowledge and skills to thrive in an ever-changing world. Along with that gift, she sought to share with our haumāna a foundation of Christian values to shape their character and guide their actions.

We are Protestant in tradition, non-denominational in practice, and loving in all things. We believe that Kamehameha Schools, as a Christian institution, has a responsibility to practice and perpetuate the Christian faith as exemplified by Ke Ali‘i Pauahi.

Learn more about our Christian values and commitment »

Statement of purpose

Kamehameha Schools admits keiki who show potential and who are able, in a timely and satisfactory manner, to meet all academic, physical, and religious activities requirements which together comprise the fundamental nature of a Kamehameha education. Kamehameha admits keiki on the premise that they have the intent and ability to graduate from Kamehameha.

Kamehameha’s policy on admissions is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.


Tuition

Tuition for the SY 24-25 is summarized in the table below:

Grade levelApproximate annual per student cost of education at KSCost of education covered by KS2024-2025 tuition
All Preschools
Modified day
NANA$2,714
All Preschools
Full day
$23,016$18,944$4,072
Hawai‘i K-5$42,989$37,531$5,458
Kapālama K-6
Maui K-5
Hawai‘i 6$42,989$37,371$5,618
Hawai‘i 7-12$42,989$36,275$6,714
Kapālama 7-12 day
Maui 6-12
Kapālama 7-12 boarder$63,764$51,847$11,917

FAQ

A majority of a 15-judge appeals court panel upheld Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy in Doe v. Kamehameha Schools on December 5, 2006. The panel majority ruled that Kamehameha Schools has a legal right to offer admissions preference to Native Hawaiian applicants as a way to remedy past harms and current imbalances suffered by the Indigenous people of Hawai‘i as a result of Western contact. The panel majority also found that Congress has recognized it has a special trust relationship with Native Hawaiians and in furtherance of that relationship, has enacted more than 85 statutes supporting programs designed to improve Hawaiian well-being.

The competitive nature of admission to Kamehameha Schools is due to the increasing numbers of keiki seeking enrollment. Each year the number of applications received exceeds the number of available spaces anywhere from a ratio of 3:1 to 17:1, depending on the campus and grade level.

Kamehameha Schools is committed to enroll a diverse student population that represents a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, islands and communities, ability levels, talents and life experiences. Kamehameha Schools looks for students who have already demonstrated that they have the motivation, attitude, character and work habits necessary to successfully graduate from Kamehameha Schools.

Four-member faculty rating committees, composed of teachers and counselors, review all applications for a single grade level in each region. For example, all Windward applicants to grade seven are evaluated by the same committee. All committee members are current Kamehameha Schools’ faculty who work with keiki in the grade level to which your keiki is applying.

All admissions decisions are made by a consensus of the faculty rating committee that evaluated the applications of all students in a particular region and gender grouping. The Admissions Office facilitates the admissions process but does not select applicants for admission to Kamehameha Schools. Furthermore, the Admissions Office does not have the authority to reverse a committee decision, nor does that authority rest with the CEO or Trustees of Kamehameha Schools. Faculty Rating Committees are empowered to make all admission decisions. Any diversion from this process is considered tampering.

All faculty rating committee members must disclose any personal potential conflicts of interest prior to the review process. Faculty members with conflicts are excluded from participating. The rating process is conducted using strict protocols. Score calculations for applicants are run on our computer system to avoid human arithmetic errors. All selection meetings are facilitated by the Admissions Office and monitored by the Internal Auditor. Finally, every summer Kamehameha Schools’ Internal Auditor audits the records of the Admissions Office. The final audit report is shared with the CEO, Trustees and the external Court Master, who also reviews Kamehameha Schools annually.

Yes. Students in this category are sent notifications advising them that they are placed in a wait pool. These notifications need to be acknowledged and responded to, or the applicant will be withdrawn and not included in the wait pool process. The terms and length of wait pools vary by campus and grade level.

No, not all applicants who are orphans or indigents are enrolled. As directed by Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s will, Hawaiian orphans and Hawaiian keiki living in indigent circumstances do receive special consideration for admission. In order to be considered as an orphan or indigent applicant, additional paperwork and verification is required. Special consideration spaces are limited, and like all other applicants, keiki are tested and evaluated, and must demonstrate their ability to be successful at Kamehameha Schools.

Absolutely! There is so much more to Kamehameha Schools than our three campuses! Kamehameha Schools actually offers many innovative educational programs. Offerings include a variety of summer programs, distance learning, community-based family education, mentoring programs and more. Kamehameha Schools also operates 29 preschools statewide, has formed partnerships with public charter schools, and offers post-high school financial aid for students.

Of particular interest to the parents of Pre-K-12 keiki is the Pauahi Keiki Scholars program, which offers need-based financial assistance to help keiki attend other qualifying non-KS preschools, and the Kīpona Scholarship program which offers need-based financial assistance to help keiki attending private K-12 schools other than Kamehameha Schools.


Stay connected

Kamehameha Schools’ Direct Mail List (DML) is an easy way for you to receive the information and updates on programs, services and events that are important to you. Kamehameha Schools’ DML is a convenient way to receive customized updates based on your interests and profile information provided.

Need kōkua?

Phone:
(808) 534-8080 or 1-800-842-IMUA and press 3 (Neighbor Island/Continental U.S.)