Punahou School

I currently attend Punahou School and it exceeded my expectations from when I first came in 6th grade. It is preparing me for college as I want to head towards the medical field. All my cousins graduated here and have such pride in doing so. Punahou is a family -- how does it manage to maintain such close ties despite the size of the campus and variation in students? Perhaps this is due to the motivation that each student possesses. I know I work harder as a result of my peers, and I cannot thank them enough for that. There are so many opportunities available ranging from athletics (rated #1 in the nation two consecutive years by Sports Illustrated, and continues to remain high), music, art, community service clubs, social clubs, etc. It is environmentally friendly, rated #1 school by Hawaiian Electric Co. I try to take advantage of all the resources because you can't get them anywhere else. Although the tuition is high, it is well worth it. My parents work hard and I appreciate everything my family sacrifices for me. In the long run, I hope to graduate with numerous accomplishments and I am now in the process of building them up. I cannot fit everything I want to say!

The application process is very stressful and arduous. While the school itself is a superb facility, it is very hard to get into. If you wish to read a more detailed account of my experiences in applying to Punahou, please read my blog at punahoupuns.blogspot.com. It contains helpful information and tips for parents applying to Punahou School. Good Luck.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very happy with the facilities, resources, and staff at this wonderful school. We like the fact that the younger children can learn through play. I am originally from the Mainland and heard wonderful things about Punahou when I was attending a college in New York City, as several of my classmates at my college had graduated from Punahou. Also, in 2012, out of the 10 National Merit Scholars in Hawaii, 5 were from Punahou, 2 Iolani, 1 Kamehameha Schools, and 2 from Waiakea High School.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child has a mild learning disability or is of average intelligence, I suggest you apply elsewhere. My son is very bright but suffers from mild Autism. For Kindergarten, your child has to score 90-95 percentile in the individual assessment. Teacher recommendations have to be stellar. Your child has to show maturity, independence, perfect behavior, & interaction with other kids. Your child can't have a bad day for both assessment days. Admissions should be more upfront in what they want for Kindergarteners. I later learned that Punahou looks for a 90-95 percentile in: Verbal, Nonverbal (reasoning using nonverbal means), Spatial (visual perception), Memory (visual/auditory) and Quantitative (number concepts). The only reason I applied is my child's teachers kept telling me how very bright he was. Went to a post-rejection conference at Punahou & it was hearbreaking. Everything negative about my child were noted, even things that most people characterize as typical behavior for a 4-year-old. Punahou doesn't accommodate children with mild learning/socialization problems. When I asked the assessor if there were kids with mild Autism at Punahou, she said she never heard of any.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Punahou from K-12 except for one year (freshman) that I attended HPA on the Big Island. Punahou is an outstanding and very forward thinking school. It prepared me well for college and law school (at top ranked schools). It gave me independent thinking skills as well as a drive to succeed that has served me well (making partner at a large successful firm). I did not come from a wealthy family and that didn't matter at Punahou any more than any other school--if anything, it mattered less. I was encouraged to play competitive sports which is something I continued through college and my adult life. Punahou alumni support each other and the school. It is one of the best schools in this country.

i heard that there is an athletic track and a college prep track. how come so many punahou athletes are ineligible there first year in college?

Punahou has very challenging academic programs that will challenge him or her and make her think like she has never thought before. I for one, had a hard time at first but after a few weeks, i adjusted to it and began to get used to it and understand it. The teachers here are excellent, they all treat their students like their own children and classes and teamspaces are all great, big families. The 6th grade buildings are like a home away from home from us students.

Phenomenal! I am an alumni and I don't think there are enough words to describe how so incredibly awesome Punahou School is! I attended from Kindergarten and the school was my second home for 13 years! I often miss it as I live on the mainland now, but I always think back to days back on campus. The academics are definitely challenging, but groom students for college and the athletic department is better than some colleges and universities I have seen. Aside from the top notch academics and sports programs, the thing that makes Punahou stand out is that it creates a very well-rounded individual who is very open-minded and confident.Iolani and Kam cannot even come close to the prestige and the outstanding academics, social and sports programs. I only hope my children can attend in the future.

Punahou is such a forward thinking school and really looks to the whole of the student to create word citizens.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student about to graduate, I feel the need to give my honest input regarding the outstanding quality of Punahou School. Punahou does not alienate middle-lower class people; I can attest to that. Everyone is welcome from all backgrounds and cultures. I admit Iolani gives a superior education; Iolani's ratio of national merit scholars to students is so much higher than Punahou's. However, Punahou works to breed success rather than smarts. Formatted much like a college's, Punahou's education system promotes well-roundedness and balance. If you seek an exceptionally innovative and ambitious school, Punahou is definitely the right choice. 2010!
—Submitted by a student

My daughter absolutely loves Punahou. I am so thrilled to see her enjoying herself at school, not to mention the self-esteem that she has gained since attending. A large part of the problem in the U.S. education system is due to limited partication from parents. Not so at Punahou. Parents are encouranged to be actively involved in their child's education as well as school activities and almost every parent I know happily participates. I have never seen such pride for a school coming from both the parents and students, and I am humbled to be a part of it.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Punahou from 6th through graduation. I noticed that the lower-rated reviews cite Kamehameha and Iolani as having better athletics, academics, activities, and a superior social environment. This is largely incorrect. For the past two years, Punahou has won an untouchable 13 and 16 state titles, respectively, and in 2008 was rated by Sports Illustrated as the #1 high school athletic program in America (Kamehameha/Iolani were not on the list.) As for academics, Iolani pushes harder, but at the expense of a well-rounded education and self-motivation. At Punahou, students are encouraged to excel, but also to cherish the concept of ideas and the learning process. I was middle class and I had no problem fitting in. If you can't afford a Lexus, nobody (worthwhile) cares. As for activities, Punahou Carnival, anyone?? I've been on campus on every single day of the year and there's always something going on. Go Puns!
—Submitted by a student

Punahou is a good school because it offers alot of opportunities for its students, especially for college. Its one of the best in the state for athletics in high school and the academics are great for college prep. While others say Kamehemeha and Iolani are better schools, I disagree because I think Punahou does a better job in the development of a child. Some people think that all Punahou students are 'stuck-up', but that is obviously the opinion of those who don't know us. All schools have students that feel superior to their fellow classmates or others in the community because of social or economic background. Its okay for us to have pride, just like any other school would, but because our parents or whoever paid for it, most of us are grateful.
—Submitted by a student

I really felt like I needed to set some things straight here after reading the reviews of Punahou. I'm writing this as a graduate who attended Punahou for 13 years. Money & Materialism: while many Punahou families were very wealthy, most kids did not flaunt their wealth. I was a scholarship student and I did not feel any socio-economic discrimination. Secondly, Punahou is WAY BETTER academically than Kamehameha. Third, to this day I list Punahou on my resume and it has gotten me in the door of countless recruiters on my college campus. In fact I have been offered jobs simply because I went to Punahou. Lastly, Punahou is one big family. The teachers are outstanding, the campus is beautiful and you get one heck of an education.

I have been attending Punahou since kindergarten. Overall, I love the campus, the teachers, the courses, the opportunities, and the diverse student body. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I have not noticed much emphasis on materialism and economic status, especialy not from the school. The teachers and students are all from diverse social and economic backgrounds. If anything, the students who come from difficult social or economic backgrounds are admired for their perseverance and love of learning. Of course, just like at any other school, there are a few slacker students, a few not-so-kind students, and a few not-so-great teachers. However, you will find that there are many more students who love learning and giving back to the community, and many more teachers who love teaching and their students.
—Submitted by a student

While I agree Punahou has outstanding teachers, curriculum and facilities, it saddens me that there is too much emphasis and competition between students on materialistic & socio-economic status. You are all there for a common cause - to get a good education. Don't flaunt your money or wealth - it's not polite and shows how shallow you are. Have some compassion as your fellow student may not be as fortunate.

Great school. Very big & huge offering for gifted & talented scholars & athletes. Great arts program tool
—Submitted by a parent

You better have money to attend this school, otherwise you won't fit in. Parents focus on money and kids often group according to economic background.
—Submitted by a student

I am single parent, working hard and making a lot of sacrifices, to allow my son to study at Punahou School. They have a solid history of producing and nurturing their students to be involved, well-rounded, active and contributing leaders in their global community. The culture is one of a big family, where attention is paid to the children's physical health, social well being, as well as intellectual development. My son and I are so happy to be a part of the Punahou School family.
—Submitted by a parent

While I agree that Punahou is a greatg school, I believe that it has been highly overrated lately with the current president-elect Obama, having went graduated from that school. I would also agree that Iolani and Kamehameha exceed Punahou as far as academics, sports, speech and debate, and their college prepatory program.
—Submitted by a student