Guide to Kailua & Kaneohe Private & Public Schools: Elementary, Middle & High School
by Hawaii LivingUpdated on: January 28, 2019
A lot of people are drawn to the relaxed, ocean-oriented lifestyle of the Windward Side, especially families. Homebuyers with children looking at real estate in Kailua or Kaneohe have a deeper concern, which is the education options. We’ve assembled all of them below, public, charter and private, with the essentials laid out on each as well as some background that distinguishes that school. Take a look at this guide to Kaneohe & Kailua schools and you’ll have a solid understanding of what’s there for your child and their education. Data compiled August / September 2017.
Here is a map that shows all schools in Kailua and Kaneohe. You can click on the pin of the school location you are interested in, then click the school name that pops up and you will be taken to a brief profile of that school.
NOTE: All schools are Co-Ed unless otherwise noted.
KAILUA SCHOOLS
Kalaheo High School
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN KAILUA
Enchanted Lake Elementary 770 Keolu Drive, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://elake.k12.hi.us/ Grades: Pre-K to 6th Number of Students: 474 Number of Faculty: 28 Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Enchanted Lake Elementary prides itself on consistent & open communication with parents, keeping them involved in their child’s educational progress. It also stands out for its large Gifted & Talented Program, with 8% of students enrolled doubling Hawaii schools’ 4% average.
Kaelepulu Elementary 530 Keolu Drive, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://www.kaelepululadybugs.k12.hi.us/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 196 Number of Faculty: 11 Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Boasts exceptional passing rates of the Standardized Math Test (67% Vs Hawaii Average of 46%) and English Language Arts Exam (87% Vs Hawaii Average of 50%). Math program focuses on real-world usage while Science program uses similar methods including hands-on learning in school’s garden.
Keolu Elementary 1416 Keolu Drive, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://www.keoluelementary.com/ Grades: Pre-K to 6th, including Special Ed Preschool Number of Students: 138 Number of Faculty: 9 Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 As noted above, Keolu offers Special Ed Preschool to serve special needs students from the very start. Recent integration of book clubs are a major part of their reading intervention program to identify students needing individual assistance as well as encouraging improvements.
Maunawili Elementary 1465 Ulupii Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://mes.k12.hi.us/MES/Home/Home.html Grades: Pre-K to 6th Number of Students: 360 Number of Faculty: 23 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Has created partnerships with community organizations, as well as instituting their own programs, to encourage leadership & learning, such as Library Club, Conservation Club, Helping Hands Club, Technologically Empowered Kids and Junior Police Officer. High passing rate of Standardized Math & English Language Arts tests, beating Hawaii schools’ average by over 20% in both.
Aikahi Elementary 281 Ilihau Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://www.aikahielementary.com/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 489 Number of Faculty: 30 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) program. Every class, Kindergarten on up, visits Innovation Lab each week to learn with a hands-on STEM project. Each grade has its own website to inform parents on curriculum, homework and important information about their child’s education.
Kainalu Elementary 165 Kaiholu Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://www.kainaluonline.net/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 492 Number of Faculty: 31 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 High percentage of students from military families (25%) plus another 25% who attend here due to requesting a Geographic Exemption. Also has a Parent Community Network Center to keep parents involved as well as coordinating with military partners from nearby Kaneohe MCBH.
Kailua Elementary 315 Kuulei Road, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://kailuaes.wix.com/welcome Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 363 Number of Faculty: 24 Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Has a large number of services & programs for special needs students, including special education, English language learners, a Primary School Adjustment Project and counseling. All students participate in an Academy, made up of 1 teacher and 12 students, that focuses on an area such as sports, nutrition, music, fine arts or a foreign language.
Mokapu Elementary 1193 Mokapu Road, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://www.mokapuelem.org/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 862 Number of Faculty: 50 Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Largest elementary school in Kailua, it is also main school for students from Kaneohe MCBH. Has extensive support programs in place, which includecounselors, a school behavioral health specialist, 2 Parent Community Network Coordinators and a Transition Center to help students with their own as well as their family’s transition needs.
PUBLIC INTERMEDIATE / MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN KAILUA
Kailua Intermediate 145 South Kainalu Drive, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://kailuain.k12.hi.us/ Grades: 7th & 8th Number of Students: 680 Number of Faculty: 47 Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Certified AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) school, using that system to increase the number of students attending college. Also provides Honors program for advanced students and a Special Education Inclusion Program to ensure their place in the main school community.
PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN KAILUA
Kailua High School 451 Ulumanu Drive, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://kailuahs.wix.com/kailuahigh Grades: 9th to 12th Number of Students: 750 Number of Faculty: 50 Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Has created partnerships with community organizations, as well as instituting their own programs, to encourage leadership & learning, such as Library Club, Conservation Club, Helping Hands Club, Technologically Empowered Kids and Junior Police Officer. High passing rate of Standardized Math & English Language Arts tests, beating Hawaii schools’ average by over 20% in both.
Kalaheo High School 730 Iliaina Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://kalaheohigh.org/ Grades: 9th to 12th Number of Students: 916 Number of Faculty: 53 Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Known for its Career & Technical Education programs that include health services, arts and communication academy, public human services and industrial & engineering technology. The emphasis on science & technology has moved the school to make Robotics a regular credit class.
PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN KAILUA
Ka’ohau Public Charter School (Formerly Lanikai Elementary Public Charter School) 140 Alala Rd, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://kaohaoschool.org Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 328 Number of Faculty: 20 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Known for regularly scoring well above averages in Standardized Math & ELA tests, most recently achieving 77% passing rate in both.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN KAILUA
Huakailani School for Girls 146 Hekili St, Ste 104, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Website: http://www.huakailani.org/ Grades: K to 8th Gender: All Girls Number of Students: 25 Number of Faculty: 4 Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Tuition: $10,800 Only All Girls school in Windward Oahu, it offers the most personal Student/Teacher Ratio, as well. Weekly progress reports are given in every subject for students so parents can see exactly how their daughter is doing.
Hawaiian Mission Academy, Windward 160 Mookua St, Kailua, HI 96734 Website: http://www.hmawindward.org/ Grades: K to 8th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Seventh Day Adventist Number of Students: 67 Number of Faculty: 5 Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Tuition: SDA Church Members – $4,800; Non-Members – $7,100 Partnership with UH & State Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife created in 2017, allowing 7th & 8th grade students to learn ecology and science though work on restoration of Kawainui Marsh. All grades benefit from Hawaiian Studies Enrichment Program that teaches Native Hawaiian culture, arts and traditions.
Le Jardin Academy 917 Kalanianaole Highway, Kailua, HI 96734 Website: http://www.lejardinacademy.org/ Grades: Pre-K to 12th Number of Students: 825 Number of Faculty: 109 Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Tuition: Pre-K – $12,290; Junior Kindergarten – $19,110; K to 12th – $20,875 Known for being Hawaii’s 1st International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, the students follow the self-directed and inquiry based approach to education. Largest private school in Windward Oahu.
St. John Vianney Parish School 940 Keolu Dr, Kailua, HI 96734 Website: http://www.sjvkailua.org/ Grades: Pre-K to 8th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Roman Catholic Number of Students: 183 Number of Faculty: 20 Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Tuition: Pre-K – $8,700; K to 8th – $8,400 Early Learning Center for ages 3 & 4 teaches introductory math & reading concepts along with Japanese language. Education supplemented with instruction in the Catholic faith.
St. Anthony School 148 Makawao Street, Kailua, HI 96734 Website: https://saskailua.org/ Grades: Pre-K to 8th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Roman Catholic Number of Students: 307 Number of Faculty: 22 Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Tuition: Pre-K – $7,925 (School Day); K to 5th – $7.575; 6th & 7th – $7,725; 8th – $7,915 All students learn music concepts and skills as well as Visual Arts classes each year. Emphasis on 21st Century Learning with a fully wireless campus, iPads in all classrooms, Promethean Boards in certain classes and use of multimedia.
Trinity Christian School 875 Auloa Road (Pre-K to 3rd) & 1110 Kailua Road (4th to 12th), Kailua, HI 96734 Website: http://www.tcskailua.net/ Grades: Pre-K to 12th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Presbyterian Number of Students: 360 Number of Faculty: 28 Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Tuition: Pre-K – $10,100 (School Day); K to 6th – $11,600; 7th to 12th – $13,100 System organized under Classical Education method, divided in 3 stages – Grammar (Pre-K to 6th), Logic (7th & 8th) and Rhetoric (9th to 12th). Partners with homeschooled students in 7th to 12th grade by allowing them to enroll in specific classes as well as participate in sports or drama program.
KANEOHE SCHOOLS
Castle High School
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN KANEOHE
Ahuimanu Elementary School 47-470 Hui Aeko Place, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: https://sites.google.com/a/ahuimanu.k12.hi.us/ahuimanu-school/home Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 307 Number of Faculty: 22 Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Uses Comprehensive Student Support System to serve both students who are falling back and those needing greater challenges. System includes instructional interventions, special education, English language assistance for non-native speakers, as well as gifted & talented language arts program.
Heeia Elementary 46-202 Haiku Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://heeiahawks.weebly.com/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 463 Number of Faculty: 30 Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Teachers meet regularly to examine students’ progress as well as compare and learn how to serve our classrooms better. Representatives from each grade also meet in different committees – Math, Science & Literacy – to create school-wide standards and curriculum.
Kahaluu Elementary 47-280 Waihee Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: https://sites.google.com/a/kahaluu.k12.hi.us/kahaluu-elementary-school/home Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 291 Number of Faculty: 23 Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Uses avenues like Lego League robotics, sustainable gardens and the Aloha Aina curriculum to educate and build forward-looking students. Also uses innovative methods in the classroom – Singapore Math, Multimedia and Thinking Maps.
Kaneohe Elementary 45-495 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.kaneohe.hidoe.us/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 601 Number of Faculty: 35 Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 12% of students in Gifted & Talented program, 3 times the average Hawaii school rate. Extensive after school programs – volleyball & basketball teams, performing arts, Literature Arts Cafe and others.
Kapunahala Elementary 45-828 Anoi Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.kapunahala.k12.hi.us/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 546 Number of Faculty: 34 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Staff members won Hawaii’s Counselor of the Year in 2016 and Hawaii’s Teacher of the Year in 2017. Active Student Council that holds frequent events encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Parker Elementary 45-259 Waikalua Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://benjaminparkerschool.weebly.com/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 334 Number of Faculty: 22 Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 School has one-to-one laptop program that allows students who need more review or those who have completed their assignments to use laptops that correct them as they work. Also provides afterschool tutoring in math and reading. Bishop Estate partnership give students benefits of Kamehameha Schools Literacy Instruction and Support services in grades Kindergarten to 3rd.
Pu’ohala Elementary 45-233 Kulauli Street, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://puohala.weebly.com/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 271 Number of Faculty: 17 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Students can enroll in Hawaiian Immersion Program, all subjects taught in the language the entire day. Grades 4 to 6 have access to A College for Every Student, where they’re given mentoring, taught goal setting and even go on visitations to colleges in order to smooth their path to advanced learning.
Waiahole Elementary 48-215 Waiahole Valley Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.waiahole.org/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 82 Number of Faculty: 6 Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Has Positive Behavior Program that uses incentives such as Monthly Activity Days to reward consistent assignment completion and good conduct. School also focuses on sustainable agriculture withworm farming and tilapia tanks, and even a Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Program that provides students with these foods once a week.
PUBLIC INTERMEDIATE / MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN KANEOHE
King Intermediate 46-155 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.king.k12.hi.us/ Grades: 7th & 8th Number of Students: 677 Number of Faculty: 40 Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 After School All-Stars program gives students post-school Sports (Soccer, Basketball, Sailing, Etc.) or Enrichment (Dance, Cooking, Science, Etc.) pursuits until 5:30PM. Math students run area Math Meet competition for area elementary schools.
PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN KANEOHE
Castle High School – Public 45-386 Kaneohe Bay Drive, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.castlehs.k12.hi.us/ Grades: 9th to 12th Number of Students: 1,211 Number of Faculty: 73 Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 As part of school’s goal to prepare students for life outside, every Sophomore pursues one of 6 Career Pathways, culminating in undergoing a mock interview for that industry. Instituted Smaller Learning Communities in 2012, to give students more personalized attention and rapport with others. PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN KANEOHE
Hakipu’u Learning Center PCS – Public, Charter 45-720 Keaahala Rd Kaneohe, HI. 96744 Website: https://www.hakipuulc.org/ Grades: 4 to 12th Number of Students: 82 Number of Faculty: 9 Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Project based curriculum that is rooted in Native Hawaiian culture and traditions. Its location at Windward Community College allows students to earn college credit before graduating.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN KANEOHE
Koolau Baptist Academy 45-633 Keneke St, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://academy.koolaubc.org/ Grades: K to 12th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Baptist Number of Students: 184 Number of Faculty: 14 Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Tuition: $4,400 Bible-based approach to educating students, adding spiritual instruction to the mental and physical aspects of school. Students in 7th to 12th grades are required to attend at least 1 service at Koolau Baptist Church.
St Mark Lutheran School 45-725 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.smls-hawaii.org/ Grades: K to 8th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Lutheran Number of Students: 202 Number of Faculty: 13 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Tuition: K to 5th – $8,710; 6th to 8th – $9,250 Accelerated Reader program identifies individual student’s reading level, giving them appropriate book selections and goals to improve and providing them & parents immediate feedback on progress. All students from K to 6th participate in Choir.
St Ann’s Model Schools 46-129 Haiku Rd, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.saintannhawaii.org/st-ann-model-schools.html Grades: Pre-K to 8th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Roman Catholic Number of Students: 191 Number of Faculty: 12 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Tuition: $7,380 Also offers Early Learning Center with learning & skills programs for ages 2-4 on Part Time, School Day and Full Day schedules. Every class creates a Service Learning Project to help a chosen community in need.
Windward Nazarene Academy 45-232 Pua’ae Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 Website: http://www.wnahawaii.com/ Grades: Pre-K to 8th Religious Affiliation: Christian/Roman Catholic Number of Students: 191 Number of Faculty: 12 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Tuition: Pre-K – $8,415; K to 8th – $7,918 Christian values taught alongside core subjects, as well as sustainable gardening. Uses A Beka Curriculum overall with College Preparatory Math for 6th to 8th grades.
WAIMANALO SCHOOLS Waimanalo properties is part of the Kailua region for real estate purposes (MLS data) and we have therefore included Waimanalo’s 3 schools in this post.
Pope Elementary 41-133 Huli Street, Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795 Website: https://www.pope.k12.hi.us/ Grades: K to 6th Number of Students: 253 Number of Faculty: 16 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Native Hawaiian values & culture included in school’s classes and programs, with student behavior governed by concept of Pono. Made National Blue Ribbon School in 2013 and has a record of student improvement over last few years.
Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate School 41-1330 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795 Website: http://www.waimanaloschool.org/ Grades: K to 8th Number of Students: 512 Number of Faculty: 37 Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Partner program with UH works to improve student writing schools through intensive instruction. While student levels have remained roughly the same in recent years, the number of teachers has gone up by 12%. Waimanalo is a Philosophy for Children (p4C) program model school, which promotes inquiry-based class learning.
Malama Honua Public Charter School 41-054 Ehukai Street, Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795 Website: http://www.malamahonuapcs.org/ Grades: K to 5th Number of Students: 85 Number of Faculty: 6 Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 School’s parent organization is Polynesian Voyaging Society, the curriculum based on the World Wide Voyage of Hokulea and Native Hawaiian cultural values. Instruction is mix of traditional classroom teaching and project-based learning.
