ADMIS SIONS VIE WBOOK WAIME A , HAWAI’I • E S T. 1949
A PLACE TO LEARN LIKE
NOWHERE ELSE
QUICK FACTS & OVERVIEW
A place to learn like nowhere else on earth On Hawai‘i Island, you will live and learn within spectacular landscapes, vital ecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. At Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, we embrace these unique resources to create research partnerships, signature programs, and exceptional learning opportunities that make HPA a school like no other. Our rigorous, college-preparatory instruction takes place within a dynamic global school community. Day students from Hawai‘i are joined by boarding students from around the world to create a diverse, international ‘ohana (family). From the moment you step on you will feel accepted and appreciated in this safe and welcoming environment where everyone “lives aloha.”
AT A GLANCE School Mascot: Ka Makani (the wind) Year founded: 1949 400 Upper School students (Grade 9-12 day, boarding, and postgraduate) 45% boarding; 55% day 17% international students 21 nations & 14 states represented on campus Core Values: Integrity, respect, pursuit of excellence, wonder
Our location: Waimea, HI pop. 10,000 5 hr. flight from LAX to KOA 11 of the planet’s 13 climate zones Landmark sustainability initiatives
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
ATHLETICS FALL: cheerleading, cross country, football, girls volleyball WINTER: basketball, canoe paddling, cheerleading, soccer, swimming and diving, wrestling SPRING: baseball, golf, lacrosse (club), rugby (club), girls flag football, tennis, track and field, boys volleyball, girls water polo
HPA’s academic program combines a strong college-preparatory foundation with student-driven, project-based learning. Guided by faculty mentors, students pursue meaningful work across science, the arts, humanities, and other disciplines. Through this process, they strengthen key academic skills, demonstrate mastery over time, and build the confidence and independence needed for college-level learning.
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS • 19 Advanced Placement course options • Hawaiian Studies grounded in place,
culture, history, and kuleana • World language pathways in Hawaiian,
Japanese, and Spanish • Advanced computer science, robotics,
cybersecurity, and drone technology • Art History with access to the Isaacs Art Center
• Engineering, design, and applied problem-solving • Advanced digital media, storytelling,
and content creation • Performing arts opportunities in acting, technical theater, and stagecraft • Capstone Program centered on sustained inquiry, independent research • World-renowned Sea Turtle research
RESIDENTIAL LIFE Boarding students live in three residence halls clustered around a green open space affectionately known as Anna’s Field (after a local legend and one of our founding trustees). Under the guidance of dorm faculty, you will find a warm and welcoming home base, where you’ll gain independence, find life-long friends, and deepen your learning. • Dorm parents and student proctors on each floor foster a close
community environment.
• Weekday study halls provide structured time for class work. • Weekly dorm meetings focus on a broad range of lifestyle and wellness topics. • Weekend activities offer a multitude of bonding and learning experiences.
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS Scuba certification, equestrian, yoga, sports conditioning, community service, theater, dance, robotics, and many others.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Snorkeling, hiking, camping, whale watching, surf lessons, mountain biking, open-mic nights, school dances, and much more. And plenty of student-run clubs to explore
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AC A DEMIC S
Out of the ordinary: Learning at HPA At HPA, our location allows us to offer a high school education like no other. We combine a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with the chance to design and conduct your own real-world research, arts, or community projects. Through capstone classes, 19 Advanced Placement courses, our award-winning Energy Lab, immersive local learning, and other signature programs, we support and empower you to hone skills, build confidence, and create an impressive body of work for college and later life.
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
SENIOR CA P S TONE PROJEC T S
On Hawai‘i Island, you will discover vital ecosystems and unique geography; 11 of the planet’s 13 climate zones; a native Hawaiian culture dating back thousands of years; and a modern, multi-national island society. Through all of these resources and more, we create learning opportunities found nowhere else on earth.
Capstone projects last the full school year and their focus can be scientific, artistic, mathematical, social— wherever a student’s interest may lead. Students pursue their projects either by enrolling in a capstone course or by proposing independent study; faculty mentors guide and advise throughout the process. Capstone work serves as a culminating academic experience and requires students to put into action the knowledge and skills they’ve gained at HPA.
Above all, we value our students as individuals
A FEW EXAMPLES OF RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE:
with immense potential. We take the time
• Facial Recognition and Data Privacy • Understanding Climate Change Through The Study of
to understand different learning styles. Our
Feminization in Sea Turtles
ultimate goal is to empower each student toward an individual sense of purpose, giving each one the tools to thrive in higher education and eventually in 21st century careers. HPA faculty are highly accomplished and deeply devoted to their work as instructors, advisors, and mentors.
• Teaching Finance/Investing and Building Capacity in Youth • Building A Streetwear Fashion Brand • College Athletic Recruiting App For High School Athletes • Full Length Psychological Thriller Novel • Music Recording and Production • From Software to Hardware: Game Development and Music Technology
• Monitoring and Preservation of Hawaiian Waterways
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VIEW FULL COURSE CATALOG
DEPARTMENTS AND COURSES
ENGLISH
Acrylic Painting: Color Theory
SCIENCE
AP United States History
English 9: The Hero’s Journey
Advanced Drama
Biology
Economics Honors
English 9 Honors: The Hero’s Journey
AP Art History
Biology Honors
AP Psychology
English 10: The Individual & Community
Art History I
AP Biology
Art History II
Chemistry
AP Art History
Digital Storytelling
Chemistry Honors
English 10: AP Seminar English 11: The Individual & Social Justice in America
Drawing: Dry Media Drawing: Wet Media
English 11: AP Language and Composition
Ensemble: Orchestra / Jazz I–VI
English 12: The Art of Storytelling
Mixed Media Printmaking
English 12: Creative Writing
Movement for Actors I / II
English 12: Memoir: Stories That Shape Us
Musicianship I / II
English 12: Human Resilience
Stagecraft and Scenic Woodworking
English 12: AP Literature and Composition
Mixed Media Collage
Social Media and Marketing Songwriting and Lyricism Technical Theater & Costuming I / II
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
The Art of Acting & Improv I / II
Intermediate ELL Composition
The Art of Public Speaking & Improv
Intermediate ELL Listening and Speaking
Yearbook I / II / III
Intermediate ELL Reading
MATHEMATICS
AP Chemistry
Art History I Art History II
Conceptual Physics
Supreme Court Decisions and the Constitution
AP Physics I
World History Through Film
AP Physics II Marine Biology I Marine Biology II Anatomy and Physiology I Anatomy and Physiology II Forensic Science Oceanography Island Science
Freshmen Health Community-Based Food and Farming Internship
WORLD LANGUAGES Hawaiian I Hawaiian II Hawaiian III
Astronomy
Hawaiian IV Honors
Fundamentals of Science Research: Genome Science I / II
Hawaiian V Honors
Independent Science Research
Japanese I Japanese II
Computer Engineering
Japanese III
Hawaiian and American History International
Algebra I
Advanced ELL Composition
Geometry Honors
Advanced ELL Reading and Speaking
Algebra II
AP Psychology
Advanced ELL World Cultures and Geography
Algebra II / Trigonometry Honors Precalculus
SOCIAL STUDIES
Spanish III
Hawaiian Studies: Ke Aloha ʻĀina
Spanish IV Honors
AP Statistics
Modern World History: From the Enlightenment to Globalization
Spanish V Honors
ARTS
Calculus
AP Human Geography
Arts 9 Fundamentals
AP Calculus AB
United States History International
CAPSTONE
Acrylic Painting
AP Calculus BC
United States History
Senior Capstone
ELL Content Bridge English International
Geometry
AP Precalculus AP Business and Personal Finance
AP Environmental Science AP Cybersecurity AP Seminar: Science
Japanese IV Honors Japanese V Honors Spanish I Spanish II
AP Spanish Language and Culture
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
ENERGY L A B
Innovation Incubator Opened in 2010, the Michael and Jeannette Saalfeld Energy Lab is a hub for independent research, innovation, and collaboration at HPA. The lab offers dedicated workspace and access to tools and technologies that support student projects across disciplines. Over the years, students have collaborated with leading organizations and institutions including NASA, W. M. Keck Observatory, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Stanford University, and Cornell University.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ENERGY LAB
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RESIDENTIAL PROGR AM
A global village: Living at HPA Located at a crossroads of cultures linking Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and beyond, Hawaiʻi Island offers a powerful setting for students to understand global citizenship in a deeper, more personal way. HPA’s student body brings together students from Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and around the world in a community shaped by the interwoven cultures of Hawaiʻi. That blend of place, perspective, and lived experience sets Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy apart among independent schools. At HPA, students do more than learn about the world — they learn with and from it.
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Each year, roughly 45 percent of our students live on campus. Some boarding students come from as far as Kazakhstan or New York City; others are Hawai‘i residents who prefer the convenience (and fun) of dormitory life. Within this dynamic, multicultural community, you will discover life-long friendships and expand your learning. You’ll share stories, cuisines, and study tips with your dorm-mates. This will be your home away from home. A dedicated team of dorm faculty and student prefects welcome all students with warm aloha and provide a safe, secure environment. During the week, you’ll participate in social and learning activities within the dorm or as an entire boarding community. On the weekends, you’ll explore the fantastic recreational and cultural opportunities of Hawai‘i Island—from coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean to the snow-capped peak of Maunakea, and everything in between.
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RESIDENTIAL LIFE PROGRAM GOALS Our program is designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. We strive to develop: • Competent learners who are independent, resourceful,
inquisitive, and creative.
• Sophisticated and perceptive thinkers. • Effective communicators who listen objectively and critically. • Culturally-aware individuals who respond to cultural
differences with understanding, knowledge, and consideration.
• Responsible individuals with sound ethical foundations. • Wholesome young men and women who set high
standards for themselves while also leading lives that are intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually balanced.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Weekends offer the chance to experience some of Hawai‘i’s most beautiful, remote, and memorable land and seascapes. Activities can include: surf lessons, snorkeling, hiking, camping, whale watching, mountain biking, open-mic nights, school dances, and much more.
DINING HPA strives to provide a wide range options for diverse preferences and palates—and a daily menu that is also nutritious for growing adolescents. Hot breakfast is offered every weekday morning, and brunches are a weekend highlight. Roughly once a month, the entire boarding community gathers for a formal sitdown dinner, which offers the opportunity to practice networking and etiquette skills and to make new friends.
WAIMEA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
TYPICAL EVENING SCHEDULE 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner in Taylor Commons Dining Hall 7 p.m. In-dorms and check-in with dorm parent on duty (Mondays will usually have a dorm or hall meeting at this time) 7:45 p.m. Study hall begins 8:45 p.m. 10 minute break 8:55 to 9:25 p.m. Study hall resumes 9:30 to 10:15 p.m. Quiet hour 10:15 p.m. In-rooms 10:30 p.m. Lights out for freshmen and sophomores 11 p.m. Lights out for juniors and seniors who have requested late lights
Our hometown of Waimea (also known as Kamuela) is located approximately 2,600 feet (814 meters) above sea level, nestled between the Kohala Mountains and the slopes of Maunakea. Our elevation keeps Waimea several degrees cooler than the coastal towns, yet the ocean is easily accessible. This is paniolo country— known for its cowboy and agricultural traditions and home to the famous Parker Ranch. With a population of about 10,000, Waimea has a modest downtown and modern amenities that include grocery and convenience stores, fine and casual dining, cafes, shops and boutiques, and the state-of-the-art North Hawai’i Community Hospital. Some of the world’s largest optical and infrared telescopes have their headquarters here. The Kahilu Theater hosts concerts, plays, and films. On most Wednesday evenings and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, HPA provides buses to take students into town.
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS Boarding students live in three residence halls (also called dormitories), all within a short walk of the classroom, athletic, and arts facilities. Each building is supervised by a faculty dorm head; dorm faculty on every floor; student prefects; and 24/7 security. Students live with a roommate typically of the same grade level. Depending on the building, rooms are grouped by wing, hall, or floor into smaller “neighborhoods” within the dorm, where students form particularly close bonds and are mentored by dorm faculty. Each facility is equipped with kitchenettes, laundry machines, and shared, modern bathrooms with private showers. Our housekeeping staff cares for the cleanliness of public areas, but all dorm residents are responsible for managing their personal spaces, and everyone participates in nightly chores to help keep the dorm tidy and operating smoothly. In this way, we foster independence and shared responsibility, and give back to our school community together.
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THE ARTS
Where Creativity Comes Alive No matter where your academic interests lie, the arts will increase your ability to think creatively and communicate well. Plus, they bring a whole lot of joy and fun into our lives. For these and many other reasons, we value and celebrate the creative arts at HPA. All students participate in the arts program at the introductory level, and many continue on to hone their skills. Surrounded by the beauty of Hawai‘i Island, an array of island cultures, and a campus full of 400 friends, you’ll always find inspiration nearby.
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
EXPLORING MASTERPIECES THROUGH AGES AP Art History is taught in the The Michael and Jeannette Saalfeld Energy Lab and HPA’s Isaacs Art Center. Students will identify and analyze the 250 works required for the College Board AP Art History Course, covering global art and architecture from prehistory to the contemporary era. Emphasis is on understanding the form, function, cultural context, and interpretation of historic art.
PERFORMING ARTS At HPA, Performing Arts welcomes students at every level of artistic experience. Through theater, music, movement, and technical production, students are invited to take creative risks, build confidence, and discover the power of their own voice. On stage, students explore acting, improv, public speaking, movement, storytelling, and performance. Behind the scenes, they learn the craft of production through stagecraft, scenic woodworking, technical theater, lighting, sound, set construction, props, stage management, and costume design. Music students develop their skills through musicianship, songwriting, performance, theory, production, composition, and collaboration. Together, these experiences help students grow as artists, communicators, collaborators, and creative problem-solvers.
VISUAL ARTS Visual and digital arts at HPA invite students to explore creativity through handson studio work, digital storytelling, and long-term creative projects. Students build foundational skills in drawing, painting, mixed media, art history, design, and media production while developing their own artistic voice. Course offerings include Acrylic Painting, Acrylic Painting: Color Theory, Drawing: Dry Media, Drawing: Wet Media, Mixed Media Collage, Mixed Media Printmaking, Digital Storytelling, Social Media and Marketing Creation, Yearbook, and AP Art History. Through these experiences, students learn to create with purpose, reflect on their work, collaborate with others, and share their ideas with authentic audiences.
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ACTIVITIES & CLUBS
Have fun, make friends, learn something new In addition to a rich and rigorous academic program, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy offers a wealth of co-curricular activities. This is a place to try something new in the company of friends—we promise, you’ll have a blast! There’s always something to do during the week or on the weekend that will supplement your learning and expand your horizons. Activities can involve your dorm, your grade, or the entire school. You can pursue a special interest, give back to the community, or explore the immense ecological and cultural resources of Hawai‘i Island.
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
OUTDOOR PROGRAM
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Hundreds of weekend activities are offered throughout the year to take advantage of all that Hawai‘i Island has to offer. Students choose from an average of 8–10 activities every weekend. A few sample activities include: FARMER’S MARKET TRIPS
SCHOOL DANCES
SUNDAY BEACH VANS
OPEN-MIC NIGHTS
WHALE WATCHING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
BACKPACKING AND CAMPING
LOCAL THEATER AND CHORAL PERFORMANCES
HORSEBACK RIDING KIHOLO FISH POND RESTORATIONS PARKER RANCH RODEOS SNORKELING WITH MANTA RAYS STARGAZING ON MAUNAKEA HAWAIIAN LEI MAKING STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING
HPA’s outdoor education program has a history as long as the school itself. From the first moment on campus, you will feel the pull of the landscape. The outdoor program is one of the many ways HPA develops forward-thinking and resilient young leaders. Students are empowered to demonstrate responsibility for themselves, one another, and the land. Diverse offerings include weekly after-school hikes, weekend outdoor trips, wilderness medicine training, and fall break inter-island trips.
YOGA AND MEDITATION WORKSHOPS ULTIMATE FRISBEE CULTURAL COOKING NIGHTS SURF LESSONS STUDENT-LED DOCUMENTARY FILM NIGHTS
Activities vary each weekend, and sign-ups are limited by space.
SERVICE LEARNING Through a wide range of service projects, you can engage with the cultural, environmental, and economic challenges of Hawai‘i Island and the larger world. Activities include environmental restoration of native trees and historical sites, along with more “traditional” service activities such as tutoring, soup kitchens, animal rescue, and beach-cleanups. Through all these opportunities, you’ll begin to explore how your personal talents and beliefs can help to make the world a better place.
STUDENT-RUN CLUBS Our club list varies from year to year, depending on student interest. If you’d like to start your own club, we support that, too!
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ATHLETICS
Stay fit, join a team, find your exercise When the school day is over, HPA students shift gears and head out to interscholastic or intramural sports. Teachers get ready to inspire their students on a different level—this time as coaches. The entire campus community is engaged in both individual effort and collective teamwork. This is where you will experience some of the most memorable moments of your HPA career. This is your time to play hard, de-stress, and have fun—whether through varsity soccer, the canoe paddling team, or yoga class.
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
At HPA, our goal is to help you develop well-rounded habits for a joyful, healthy, successful life. Physical activity is an essential part of the mix. Our year-long program is divided into trimesters of 10 to 12 weeks each. Students choose one activity per trimester. All students are required to participate in a competitive sport or active recreation at least two of the three trimesters. Once per year, students may opt for an alternative pursuit such as robotics or community service.
OFFERINGS For students aiming for college-level athletics, HPA offers expert coaching and conditioning. For students seeking personal fitness, we provide a wide range of intramural activities. Note: this list may change slightly from year to year.
WHERE WE PLAY HPA athletic facilities include the solar-heated Dowsett 25-meter swimming pool; the Rutgers four-court, indoor tennis pavilion; the Shutes 400-meter, eightlane track and football field complex; and Castle Gymnasium. The Nakamaru Fitness Center offers multiple treadmills, bikes, and multi-purpose weight machines. Adjacent to these facilities are the soccer, softball, baseball, and equestrian fields. We have the state’s most challenging cross-country course, which travels through all corners of the 220-acre Upper Campus. Interscholastic sports teams compete at the island and state level under the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF). Post-season state tournaments are sponsored by the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association (HHSAA).
FALL SPORTS Cheerleading, cross country, football, girls volleyball Intramural: basketball, equestrian, recreational tennis, soccer conditioning, swimming and diving Alternative: art option, conditioning, CrossFit, dance, drama, hiking, sustainable gardening, weight conditioning, yoga
WINTER SPORTS Basketball, canoe paddling, cheerleading, soccer, swimming and diving, wrestling Intramural: equestrian, lacrosse conditioning, tennis conditioning, track and field conditioning Alternative: art option, drama, sustainable gardening, weight conditioning
SPRING SPORTS Baseball, golf, girls flag football, tennis, track and field, boys volleyball, girls water polo Intramural: equestrian, lacrosse, rugby Alternative: art option, CrossFit, dance, drama, scuba, sustainable gardening, weight conditioning, yoga
PEAK PERFORMANCE HPA students are supported by a dedicated conditioning coach and an experienced athletic trainer.
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THE HAWAI‘I ADVANTAGE University admission directors recruit more in Hawai‘i than in many other U.S. states. International students have an edge when applying from HPA.
COLLEGE COUNSELING
Expert guidance and outstanding results At Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, our college counselors have designed a program that supports each student on his or her individual path toward higher education. We believe the search process is a critical component of the overall learning experience at HPA. You will begin by exploring your own interests, abilities, and expectations through the many programs HPA has to offer. Later, you will turn your attention outward to investigate an array of college, university, and post-graduate options. Using our extensive knowledge of the higher education landscape, our core goal is to help you find the very best match for your talents and future aspirations.
HAWAIʻI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
MATRICULATION
HPA graduates are consistently admitted to and attend prestigious institutions, such as those below, as well as many other highly-selective colleges and universities. We place great importance on helping students develop a college list that is a effective match for their strengths and future goals. Virtually 100 percent of our graduates enroll at four-year institutions and report high satisfaction with their university choice. Amherst College Boston University BYU-Hawaii California Poly (SLO) (2) Chaminade University Clemson University Colby College Colgate University Colorado School of Mines Columbia University (2) Cumberland University Dartmouth College Duke University
Drexel University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emory University Georgetown University High Point University IE University-Madrid (2) Institut Francais de la Mode-Paris Menlo College Montana State University (3) New York University Newton University – Czechia Northeastern University (2) Oregon State University (2)
Parsons School of Design Point Loma University Pomona College Santa Clara University San Diego State University (3) Scripps College Seattle University Southern Utah University Stanford University (2) US Air Force Academy University of Chicago University of Colorado-Boulder (2) University of Hawaii-Manoa (6)
University of Nevada-Reno (2) University of Oregon University of Otago – New Zealand University of Pittsburgh University of Puget Sound (2) University of San Diego University of St Andrews-Scotland University of Texas-Austin University of Washington (2) University of Wyoming Utah Tech University Willamette University Wyoming Tech University
NOTABLE RECENT PLACEMENTS (LAST THREE YEARS) Harvard College MIT Yale University University of Pennsylvania Northwestern University
Carnegie Mellon University Georgia Institute of Technology University of Notre Dame University of Michigan University of Southern California
Wellesley College Tufts University University of Virginia Washington University in St. Louis Carleton College
University of British Columbia Vassar College Babson College Wake Forest University Barnard College
GUIDANCE YEAR BY YEAR Freshmen and Sophomores engage in introductory activities designed to help them maximize their opportunities at HPA and begin the process of setting ambitious and realistic goals for their college futures. Juniors increase their level of engagement through participating in college counseling workshops to prepare for the senior year, individual meetings with their college counselors, test prep, and specialized college presentations. Seniors continue with individual meetings and workshops to complete their applications, select their school, find funding for their education, and make a successful transition to post-secondary school life.
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