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    • Apply to Kamehameha Schools Kapālama

    At Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, we are artfully bridging the rich traditions of our 134-year legacy with the constant pursuit of excellence. By strengthening our students’ identity as ‘ōiwi, we are drawing out inherent ancestral connections that spark their natural abilities to be community leaders through a kanaka maoli lens.

    Visit the KS Kapālama homepage for campus tours and more »

    Watch recordings of our virtual open house events

    In our virtual Admissions open house events, we highlighted the exciting educational opportunities that await our KS Kapālama haumāna, and we also shared information about the application process, deadlines and requirements.

    How to apply

    The application period for the 2022-2023 school year has ended. Check application status.

    1
    Apply online

    Complete the online application between Aug. 15 and Oct. 18, 2021.

    Start application

    Note: The application system is new this year. Watch this video for a tutorial.

    2
    Residency and regional eligibility

    Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please review the residency grid and out-of-state section below.

    3
    Age verification

    Kindergarten applicants must have a date of birth between Aug. 1, 2016, through July 31, 2017. To complete the application, submit your child’s original birth certificate to the Ho‘oulu Verification Services (HVS) to validate your child’s age eligibility.

    4
    Ancestry verification

    Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha’s Ho‘oulu Verification Services.

    5
    Submit the ‘ohana form

    To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    6
    Submit the teacher’s recommendation

    To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    1
    Apply online

    Complete the online application between Aug. 15 and Oct. 18, 2021.

    Start application

    Note: The application system is new this year. Watch this video for a tutorial.

    2
    Residency and regional eligibility

    Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please review the residency grid and out-of-state section below.

    3
    Ancestry verification

    Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha’s Ho‘oulu Verification Services.

    4
    Submit last year’s final report cards

    To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by Sept. 30, 2021.

    5
    Submit the ‘ohana form

    To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    6
    Submit the teacher’s recommendation

    To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    7
    Submit a letter of recommendation

    An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    8
    Submit this year’s report cards

    To complete the application, your child’s first semester of this year’s report card needs to be submitted by Jan. 31, 2022.

    1
    Apply online

    Complete the online application between Aug. 15 and Oct. 18, 2021.

    Start application

    Note: The application system is new this year. Watch this video for a tutorial.

    2
    Residency and regional eligibility

    Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please review the residency grid and out-of-state section below.

    3
    Ancestry verification

    Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha’s Ho‘oulu Verification Services.

    4
    Submit last year’s final report cards

    To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by Sept. 30, 2021.

    5
    Submit the ‘ohana form

    To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    6
    Submit a teacher’s recommendation

    To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    7
    Submit an administrative recommendation

    To complete the application, an administrative recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    8
    Submit a letter of recommendation

    An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    9
    Submit this year’s report cards

    To complete the application, your child’s first quarter of this year’s report card needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    1
    Apply online

    Complete the online application between Aug. 15 and Oct. 18, 2021.

    Start application

    Note: The application system is new this year. Watch this video for a tutorial.

    2
    Residency and regional eligibility

    Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please review the residency grid and out-of-state section below.

    3
    Ancestry verification

    Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha’s Ho‘oulu Verification Services.

    4
    Submit last year’s final report cards

    To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by Sept. 30, 2021.

    5
    Submit the ‘ohana form

    To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    6
    Submit a teacher’s recommendation

    To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    7
    Submit the administrative recommendation

    To complete the application, an administrative recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    8
    Submit a letter of recommendation

    An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    9
    Submit this year’s report cards

    To complete the application, your child’s first quarter of this year’s report card needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    1
    Apply online

    Complete the online application between Aug. 15 and Oct. 18, 2021.

    Start application

    Note: The application system is new this year. Watch this video for a tutorial.

    2
    Residency and regional eligibility

    Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please review the residency grid and out-of-state section below.

    3
    Ancestry verification

    Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha’s Ho‘oulu Verification Services.

    4
    KS graduation requirements (for grade 10 and 11 applicants)

    Be sure to review KS graduation requirements and compare them with your child’s academic record and course standing. Your child will need to be able to meet KS course and credit requirements to graduate from KS.

    5
    Submit last year’s final report cards

    To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by Sept. 30, 2021.

    6
    Submit the ‘ohana form

    To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    7
    Submit a teacher’s recommendation

    To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    8
    Submit the administrative recommendation

    To complete the application, an administrative recommendation needs to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    9
    Submit a letter of recommendation

    An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by Dec. 15, 2021.

    10
    Submit this year’s report cards

    Current year first semester report card: Due Jan. 31, 2022

    Current year Quarter 3 report card or progress report*: Due March 31, 2022

    *Note: In the event that your child’s third quarter report card has not been made available by his/her school, a third quarter progress report must be submitted by the March 31 deadline.

    Application calendar

    15Aug

    Application opens

    18Oct

    Application deadline

    Age eligibility

    Applications are available online beginning on Aug. 15. The application deadline for the 2022-2023 school year is Sept. 30, 2021.

    Applications are submitted online through the Admissions Application ‘Ohana Portal. If you require assistance to submit an online application, please contact our Admissions Office, O‘ahu Resource Center at Kawaiaha‘o Plaza in downtown Honolulu, or at one of Kamehameha Schools’ Regional Resource Centers. See a list of support sites locations and contact information.

    Grade applying to Age or grade level requirement
    Kindergarten Born between Aug. 1, 2016, and July 31, 2017*
    Grade 4 Currently in Grade 3
    Grade 7 Currently in Grade 6
    Grade 9 Currently in Grade 8
    Grade 10** Currently in Grade 9
    Grade 11** Currently in Grade 10

    *Kindergarten applicants will need to submit their original birth certificate to the Ho‘oulu Verification Services to validate their age. Until the applicant’s birth certificate is submitted, their application for admission to Kamehameha Schools is considered incomplete.

    **Only on space availability.

    Residency and regional eligibility

    Please enter your ZIP code (or type “out of state” for those not in the state of Hawai‘i) below for residency and regional eligibility.

    O‘ahu (Ewa Region)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11

    O‘ahu (Ko‘olau Region)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11

    O‘ahu (Kona, O‘ahu Region)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11

    O‘ahu (Waialua Region)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11

    O‘ahu (Wai‘anae Region)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11

    Maui (Hana Region)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades 9, 10, 11
    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11

    Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11

    Maui

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9

    Maui

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9
    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11

    Hawai‘i (East Region)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9

    Hawai‘i (West Region — Between Pa‘auilo and Ocean View)

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9
    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11

    Moloka‘i

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus grades 7, 9, 10 and 11

    Lana‘i

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus grades 7, 9, 10 and 11

    Out of state

    You are eligible to apply for:

    Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10, 11
    Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades 6, 9
    Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Campus, grades 6, 9

     

     

    Island applying from KS region name Grade applying to Eligible for this campus
    O‘ahu

    ‘Ewa (Central)

    Covers these ZIP codes: 96701, 96706, 96707, 96709, 96759, 96782, 96797, 96818, 96819, 96820, 96853, 96858, 96859, 96860, 96861

    		 Kindergarten Kapālama
    Grade 4 Kapālama
    Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grade 9 Kapālama
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama

    Ko‘olau (Windward)

    Covers these ZIP codes: 96717, 96730, 96731, 96734, 96744, 96762, 96795, 96863

    		 Kindergarten Kapālama
    Grade 4 Kapālama
    Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grade 9 Kapālama
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama

    Kona, O‘ahu

    Covers these ZIP codes: 96801, 96802, 96803, 96804, 96805, 96806, 96807, 96808, 96809, 96810, 96811, 96812, 96813, 96814, 96815, 96816, 96817, 96821, 96822, 96823, 96824, 96825, 96826, 96827, 96828, 96830, 96835, 96836, 96837, 96838, 96839, 96840, 96841, 96843, 96844, 96846, 96847, 96848, 96849, 96850

    		 Kindergarten Kapālama
    Grade 4 Kapālama
    Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grade 9 Kapālama
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama

    Waialua

    Covers these ZIP codes: 96712, 96786, 96789, 96791, 96854, 96857

    		 Kindergarten Kapālama
    Grade 4 Kapālama
    Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grade 9 Kapālama
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama

    Wai‘anae Coast

    Covers ZIP code 96792

    		 Kindergarten Kapālama
    Grade 4 Kapālama
    Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grade 9 Kapālama
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama
    Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau

    Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau

    Covers these ZIP codes: 96703, 96705, 96714, 96715, 96716, 96722, 96741, 96746, 96747, 96751, 96752, 96754, 96756, 96765, 96766, 96769, 96796

    		 Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grades 9-11 Kapālama
    Maui

    Hana, Maui

    Covers these ZIP codes: 96713

    		 Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grades 9 Maui OR Kapālama
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama
    Lana‘i 96763 Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grades 9-11 Kapālama
    Moloka‘i

    96748

    		 Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grades 9-11 Kapālama
    Hawai‘i

    West

    Covers these ZIP codes: 96704, 96719, 96725, 96726, 96727, 96737, 96738, 96739, 96740, 96743, 96745, 96750, 96755, 96776

    		 Kindergarten Hawai‘i
    Grade 6 Hawai‘i
    Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grade 9 Hawai‘i OR Kapālama
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama
    Out of state Out of state Grade 6 Hawai‘i OR Maui
    Grade 7 Kapālama
    Grade 9 Hawai‘i, Kapālama OR Maui
    Grades 10-11 Kapālama

    Residential Life

    Kamehameha Schools’ Kapālama Campus on O‘ahu has a boarding community of 450 students in grades 7-12. The Residential Life program is a residential learning community and provides a home away from home for Neighbor Island students, which is to cultivate an experiential living and learning community based on Christian and Hawaiian values that empower haumāna to fulfill Pauahi’s legacy.

    The Residential Life program provides students with a safe, nurturing environment that complements KS’ regular academic program. The program is designed to encourage student efforts to be respectful, responsible and resourceful members of our lāhui. The program is full and varied, and provides haumāna the opportunity to learn and practice independent life skills in a safe environment with the guidance and support of caring adults and peers.

    Residential Life spaces are reserved for Neighbor Island students from islands/communities not presently served by Kamehameha’s Neighbor Island campuses. Currently, there is no Residential Life program at either the Hawai‘i or Maui campuses.

    E hele mai to our Kapālama Campus Residential Life website.

    Out-of-state applicants

    Kamehameha’s Kapālama Campus K-12 program gives priority to students who reside in the state of Hawai‘i. However, out-of-state students may apply and be considered for admission to the following grades: 7, 9, 10 and 11. Kamehameha will not accept applications to elementary at any campus from out-of-state students. No exceptions will be made.

    Residential Life: Boarding at the Kapālama Campus may be requested, but is not guaranteed.

    Out-of-state applicants to grade 7, 9, 10 and 11 will be required to complete the admissions test, interview and writing sample.

    Verification

    Admissions priority is given to applicants residing in Hawai‘i with their parents or legal guardians, all of whom are current and permanent residents of the State of Hawai‘i in accordance with KS policy.

    Kamehameha observes geographic regional allocations to ensure equitable geographic distribution of spaces. Therefore, upon acceptance, parents must verify the physical home address listed on their child’s application.

    In addition, if the applicant’s biological parents are not currently married, you will be required to submit all necessary court documents (divorce decrees, custody agreements, legal guardianship, etc.) to determine legal custody.

    Custodial information establishes who has the legal authority to make decisions and to sign school documents on behalf of this child prior to your child’s enrollment at Kamehameha Schools.

    NOTE: By policy, all applicants to Kamehameha Schools must be U.S. citizens. Even if an applicant is of Native Hawaiian ancestry, if they are not also a U.S. citizen, Kamehameha Schools cannot accept or process their application.

    Request for ADA accommodations

    In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), children with a diagnosed, life-long disability that requires the utilization of accommodations during the testing and/or observation or interview phases of the application process may receive the required accommodation in these phases of Kamehameha Schools’ application process.

    Validation of the required accommodation is needed. Parents requesting a testing and/or observation or interview accommodation for their child should include in-depth documentation of their child’s diagnosed disability that includes, but is not limited to:

    1. A diagnostic statement from the diagnosing professional that;
    2. Indicates the level of severity and;
    3. Provides a listing of functional limitations and;
    4. Provides a prognosis for the future (Will the disability stay at the same level of severity? Will it improve? Will it worsen?)

    Notice regarding outstanding debts

    Before applying your child for admission to Kamehameha Schools (KS), please be sure that any outstanding debts you have with KS are cleared. An outstanding debt may have been incurred if you have another child who is currently, or was previously, enrolled at KS.

    An outstanding debt may delay application processing for your child. Applicants whose families have outstanding debts may not be offered admission to KS until the debt has been cleared.

    If you have an outstanding debt, please call our Student Billing Office at 842-8309 or toll-free at 1-800-842-4682 x28309.

    Tuition

    Grade Program Campus Tuition
    Kindergarten-6th Grade   Kapālama $5,046
    7th-12th Grade Day All $6,208
    7th-12th Grade Boarder Kapālama $11,016

     

    These tuition costs are for the 2022-2023 school year.

    Testing and interview

    Due to the changing conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the test and interview dates/times are subject to change. The health and safety of our applicant families and staff is our highest priority. If changes are made to testing/interview availability, we will notify applicants by email.

    Kamehameha uses the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress), which is a secured test administered using an iPad. More information: MAP test information

    A select number of students are called back to participate in the second phase of testing: A classroom observation and ‘Ohana Interview. The classroom observations are used to evaluate an applicant’s non-cognitive skills, social skills and general school readiness.

    Kamehameha uses the ERB CTP 5 (Comprehensive Testing Program) which is a nationally standardized achievement test that helps assess what a child has already learned. Applicants are tested in two areas: general math and reading comprehension. See more information about the ERB CTP 5: CTP test information

    During the test, applicants will also be required to complete and submit a writing sample. A select number of students are called back to participate in the second phase: an interview with a Kamehameha teacher or administrator.

    Kamehameha uses the ERB CTP 5 (Comprehensive Testing Program) which is a nationally standardized achievement test that helps assess what a child has already learned. Applicants are tested in two areas: general math and reading comprehension. See more information about the ERB CTP 5: CTP test information

    In addition to testing, applicants are scheduled for an interview with a Kamehameha teacher or administrator. During this session, applicants will also be required to complete and submit a writing sample.

    FAQ

    The competitive nature of admission to Kamehameha Schools is due to the increasing numbers of children 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.
    At Kamehameha Schools we firmly believe that every child has potential and wish to acknowledge and affirm the strength of each applicant’s unique talents. The challenge is that Kamehameha Schools does not have a space on one of our campuses for every applicant. However, we are actively working to develop community programs to serve greater numbers of children and meet a broader variety of needs and interests. These programs are designed to assist many more children to develop their potential, cultivate their unique abilities, and achieve success.
    Kamehameha 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 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 faculty who work with children in the grade level to which your child 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’s 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 children 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, they 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 actually offers many innovative educational programs. Offerings include a variety of summer programs; distance learning; community based family education; mentoring programs and more. Kamehameha also operates 30 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 children is the Pauahi Keiki Scholars program, which offers need-based financial assistance to help children attend other qualifying non-KS preschools and the Kīpona Scholarship program, which offers need-based financial assistance to help children attending private K-12 schools other than Kamehameha.

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    Need kōkua?

     

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

    Email:
    ksrc@ksbe.edu

    Schedule help:
    bookings.ksbe.edu/ksrc

    Kawaiaha‘o Plaza

    567 South King St
    Honolulu, HI 96813
    (808) 523-6200

    KS Hawai‘i

    16-716 Volcano Rd
    Kea‘au, HI 96749
    (808) 982-0000

    KS Kapālama

    1887 Makuakāne St
    Honolulu, HI 96817
    (808) 842-8211

    KS Maui

    275 ‘A‘apueo Pkwy
    Pukalani, HI 96768
    (808) 572-3100

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