Research Punahou School private Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii

“As a former student, I am exceptionally proud and blessed to have had the opportunity to attend Punahou. My teachers were insightful, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and inspirational. There were so many outstanding teachers that is is difficult to single one person out as having had special influence. The impact Punahou has had on my life is immeasurable. Even though it has been years since I graduated, I look forward to the class reunions and marvel at the continued cohesiveness of the members of our class...our Punahou ohana (family)! Three generations of my family have graduated from Punahou, a tradition I hope will continue. Anyone wanting a challenging academic environment and a desire to achieve will thrive at Punahou. The long list of notable and/ or celebrity Punahou alumni is itself a testimony for realized dreams and achievement.”

“I am one of six children and we all attended/graduated from Punahou. From the perspective of someone with lots of money, this school offers many opportunities for self motivated individuals but tends to focus too much on money. Students who don't have money are made to feel inadequate. After High School graduation students are more concerned about attending Punahou than where they went to college.”

“Price to quality very questionable.”

“I enjoyed the school and I was proud to tell people that I was a Punahou student. I have to agree with the statement that there are some snobby parents and students. You had to wear the top designer wear or you were treated poorly. Lots of talk about clothing, cars, homes, money and materialism. I was ashamed of my house and my parents. I regret that kind of thinking but it was such a strong influence from the students and to some degree from the school.”

“It was a good school but I think it is over rated. Very expensive and very materialistic. My family was comfortable middle class but we were always made to feel very inadequate. Other classmates with wealthy parents would not associate with middle class families. The parents were the the instigators. It was kind of a sad environment to have to grow up in. Teachers and head master condoned that type of behavior. There was never any teaching to the contrary.”

“Punahou is a great school. There are many opportunities both physically and mentally and I would advise any parent to send their child. Great teachers and facilities. Programs such as glassblowing and photography stand out as something unique and different when compared to other local schools. I graduated 4 years ago.”

“I am part of the 13 year club, meaning, I attended Punahou from K to 12th grade. I have very fond and vivid memories dating back to my first day in kindergarten. This school is excellent in its academics and extra-curricular activities. I feel so blessed to have attended Punahou and have been given the opportunities to experience all that I did. Like many others mentioned this school is not for everyone and is very challenging, but very rewarding. I hope one day my son will be able to attend Punahou and can have the same education and experience.”

“This school isnt good. Horrible teachers but nice campus needs more activities. I guess being bullied is ok here. They give you useless homework”

“Perhaps the simpliest way to describe Punahou would be look up the definition for 'Excellent'. As a former student who has taught and coached all over the Pacific Northwest, I can confidently say Punahou stands head and shoulders above. Some schools may be comparable athletically, academically, or even in terms of faciilities. However, there is no one school in Hawaii, nor in the nation which can compare to the Punahou experience. I was challenged mentally and physically at Punahou. Medocrity is definitely not rewarded. In most schools it's uncool to learn, but not at Punahou. It's cool to be the 3 Sport Athlete, but also be taking AP classes. I'm thankful and proud for the opportunity to have gone to such a excellent school. Punahou gave the tools to succeed in college, must most importantly life.”

“I'm going to agree that Punahou is an excellent school. As someone mentioned before, it is not a school for everyone. It takes a certain person to thrive in the environment Punahou has created. Students are expected to excel and participate in a number of different activities all at once. Having only been there one year, and graduating next year I'm sorry that I didn't get more time to involve myself in everything that school has to offer, but I would recommend it to students who really want to dig into their education.”

“Our children attened Puanhou School for 13 years each (K-12) and we have always felt that 13 years is not enough time for these students to take advantage of everything Puanhou has to offer. Students are encouraged to question the world around them, critically think, challenge themselves, be confident to speak up, have confidence in themselves, be true to their values, and to be caring members in the world in which they live. To graduate and be contributing members to society.”

“While attending Punahou from grades 10-12, I found the academics and teachers excellent. Opportunities to partcipate in extra-curricular clubs are many. Since most reviews here are glowing, I want to emphasize that Punahou is not for everyone. Having attended excellent public schools prior to moving to Hawaii, I did not find the level of teaching significantly better. Socially, I found it an unusual environment. While I had many interesting, positive friends in several interest groups, students were generally aloof. While difficult to quantify, there seemed to be a higher than normal amount of substance abuse, eating disorders, and stress related maladies. Punahou tends to be a school that supports 'specialists,' students who excel in one or two areas rather than the well-rounded student.”

“As I turn the corner and drive up Piper's Pali every school morning, I say a prayer of thanks to God that my son has the opportunity to attend such a phenomenal school. He is recieving the best education there is to offer in this state!”

“Excellent school with first rate education. This school is expensive and difficult to get in to but worth every penny.”

“This is a phenomenal school!”

“Punahou has done so much to shape me as a person and a man. I owe so much to that school and only hope I can send my children there one day. I went to Punahou from grades 9 through 12 and it truly was the best time of my life. I have lived a quite a few countries and in that time been to 11 different schools. All of which pride themselves on being the top schools in their area. None of them, however, come close to what Punahou has to offer in every facet of life.”

“I went to Punahou from 9th to 12th grade. It was an excellent experience for me and made a huge impact on my future. It was academically challenging and offered many extracurricular activities that allowed me to really learn more about my interests and strengths. Of the various schools I have gone to I consider my time at Punahou a changing point in my life.”

“I went to Punahou from 6th grade through 12th. It was challenging that's for sure, but it was also wonderful. It gave me a great base for College and the future in general. I was involved in extracurricular events, as were the majority of my friends. It truly prepared me for life. I would encourage parents with driven children to take advantage of this opportunity. When I have children if I were to be living in Hawaii at the time, I would totally send my children to Punahou. I am a proud alumni.”

“Punahou School is the finest college prepatory school I have encountered. The sutdents' motviation is very high and the teachers are superb. All of them have many years of study in their target subject. The students challenge themselves and take advantage of their school's multi-million dollar facilities. Punahou not only has outstanding academia, but also excellent sports. They still hold the curent record for state championships in the nation and largest number of student clubs. Punahou also shows its rich appreciation for the Hawaiian culture through the curriculum and the Academy's (high school) Holoku pageant. Many famous people have graduated from Punahou in the past years, such as Steve Case. Punahou continues to challenge their students' minds as they prepare them for the future. Advanced technology is used for instructional purposes at all geade levels.”

“Academically, Punahou stands out among the finest in the nation. Their civic-minded programs are equalled only by the social calendar and superior sports regimen. The entire staff is totally dedicated to the highest levels of education.”

“Punahou School provided a great education.The teaching staff were remarkable in their efforts. They were all so encouraging and supportive. A wonderful environment where the parents and students volunteered their time freely to enhance their school.”

“Speaking as a former student, my years at Punahou formed the foundation of a future of realized opportunities and dreams fulfilled. Punahou is in a standing all its own among K-12 learning institutions. Melding the newest modes of pedagogy with the best existential traditions, with passionate teachers that inspire its learning communities of youth with active and pure theory, and excelling in the rounded social and physical development of its students via sports and extra-curricular activities, Punahou is the best K-12 in North America in my opinion.”

“This school has been a fantastic influence on our children. Not only were their respective transitions to college easy but the school equipped them with all the necessary study skills to excell in their undergrad and post graduate studies.”

“this school is the cream of the crop. for overall education it is as good as any of the top schools in the nation. the facilities are kept in great shape and maintained constantly. there are buildings on campus that are well over 100 years old. this school was founded in 1841 and has been the premiere learning center in hawaii ever since. to send your child to this school would be one the best things you could do for him or her. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend this truly fine school. I give thanks to my parents for the sacrifices they made so that I had the chance to attend punahou.”