2017 Hawai'i Private School Guide
(Sponsored) Find out what sets Hawai'i private schools apart. Our Private School Guide has become the trusted resource for parents trying to find the best fit for their child's education. Learn about the unique culture, classes and philosophies of some of Hawai'i's schools.
What happens when you've missed the regular deadlines?
So you've missed the deadline to apply to a private school. Maybe you're a military family and you've arrived in the Islands after a school's application deadline. Is all hope lost? In this economy, the answer is, probably not. While some schools adhere to strict deadlines, many schools allow students to apply throughout the year.
"Pacific Buddhist Academy uses a rolling admissions process, which means that there are not strict deadlines," says Pacific Buddhist Academy head of school Joshua Hernandez Morse. "We would certainly hope to coordinate a timeline with prospective families if they anticipate there might be delays in the application process, but we have processed and admitted candidates from other countries, for example, by including a Skype interview."
But what should you do if you've missed a hard deadline? Contact the school's admissions office to explain any extenuating circumstances or inquire on open spaces.
"It really depends on when in the year it is. We try to be sensitive and flexible to late applicants," explains 'Iolani director of admissions Kelly Monaco. The difficulty of creating an entire class from scratch often makes for strict kindergarten deadlines, but some schools looking to fill open spaces in other grade levels may be able to accommodate late applications. It can't hurt to check with the school's admissions office.
Applying to Private School: A Timeline
How to Ace the Interview
How Social-Emotional Learning Plays an Important Part in Local Schools
A Message From First Hawaiian Bank
A Message from HAIS' Executive Director
How Hawai'i's Independent Schools are Evolving in the 21st Century
Many independent schools in Hawai'i and across the nation are rejecting traditional teaching styles to focus on new skills and project-based learning. Some parents worry this shift away from standard methods and tests puts students' chances of getting into good colleges at risk. But educators say today's constantly changing, technology-driven society requires different skills to survive college and beyond. Here's how.
Thinking about private school for your child? Finding the right school for your child and getting her or him enrolled can take at least a year. Here is a 12-month timeline to make sure you don't miss a crucial deadline along the way.
You've missed a deadline in the application process; does that mean your child has no chance of getting admitted? Not necessarily. Here's why there's still a chance.
What Does Accreditation Mean for Your Child?
You'll notice schools claiming accreditation from an alphabet soup of organizations—AACS, ACSI, WASC, WCEA. We explain who these groups are and what their approval means.
You and your child will want a clear idea of exactly what you're looking for in a private school before you begin the search. Here are some general areas you might consider.
The last, and often most dreaded, step of the application process is one that only your child can do: the personal interview.
Commonly asked questions about financial aid.
Exploring Your Potential New Campus
Get a real sense of your child's private-school options by digging deep into a campus visit.
Common Myths
We debunk some of the most common rumors about private school admission with help from the folks in charge of who gets in.
A Complete Directory to HAIS Independent Schools
Information on 107 schools and two colleges.
2017 Listings of Private Schools
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