Apply to Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
At Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, we are artfully bridging the rich traditions of our 134-year legacy with the constant pursuit of excellence. By strengthening our students’ identity as ‘ōiwi, we are drawing out inherent ancestral connections that spark their natural abilities to be community leaders through a kanaka maoli lens.
Visit the KS Kapālama homepage for more info »
How to apply
Click here to check on the application status by logging on the Admissions’ ‘Ohana portal
Apply online
The application for the 2024-2025 school year is closed.
Schedule event
To complete the application, your child must attend a test session and, if applicable an interview at the campus program they are applying to. Event scheduling is in your ‘Ohana Parent Portal under Next Steps.
Residency and regional eligibility
Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please note, applicants cannot apply for the same grade two years in a row and can only apply to one K-12 campus each year. Please review the residency grid below.
Age verification
Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years old by July 31st of the year in which they will be entering school (birthdate must fall between August 1, 2018, and July 31, 2019.). Submit your child’s original birth certificate to the Ho‘oulu Verification Services (HVS) to validate your child’s age eligibility.
Ancestry verification
Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘oulu Verification Services.
Submit the ‘ohana form
To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit the teacher’s recommendation
An optional teacher recommendation may be submitted by January 15, 2024.
Apply online
The application for the 2024-2025 school year is closed.
Schedule event
To complete the application, your child must attend a test session and, if applicable an interview at the campus program they are applying to. Event scheduling is in your ‘Ohana Parent Portal under Next Steps.
Residency and regional eligibility
Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please note, applicants cannot apply for the same grade two years in a row and can only apply to one K-12 campus each year. Please review the residency grid below.
Ancestry verification
Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘oulu Verification Services.
Submit last year’s final report cards
To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by September 30, 2023.
Submit the ‘ohana form
To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a teacher’s recommendation
To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a letter of recommendation
An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit this year’s report cards
To complete the application, your childʻs first semester of this yearʻs report card needs to be submitted by January 31, 2024.
Apply online
The application for the 2024-2025 school year is closed.
Schedule event
To complete the application, your child must attend a test session and, if applicable an interview at the campus program they are applying to. Event scheduling is in your ‘Ohana Parent Portal under Next Steps.
Residency and regional eligibility
Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please note, applicants cannot apply for the same grade two years in a row and can only apply to one K-12 campus each year. Please review the residency grid below.
Ancestry verification
Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘oulu Verification Services.
Submit last year’s final report cards
To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by September 30, 2023.
Submit the ‘ohana form
To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a teacher’s recommendation
To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a letter of recommendation
An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit this year’s report cards
To complete the application, your child’s first quarter of this year’s report card needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Apply online
The application for the 2024-2025 school year is closed.
Schedule event
To complete the application, your child must attend a test session and, if applicable an interview at the campus program they are applying to. Event scheduling is in your ‘Ohana Parent Portal under Next Steps.
Residency and regional eligibility
Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please note, applicants cannot apply for the same grade two years in a row and can only apply to one K-12 campus each year. Please review the residency grid below.
Ancestry verification
Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘oulu Verification Services.
Submit last year’s final report cards
To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by September 30, 2023.
Submit the ‘ohana form
To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a teacher’s recommendation
To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a letter of recommendation
An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit this year’s report cards
To complete the application, your child’s first quarter of this year’s report card needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Apply online
The application for the 2024-2025 school year is closed.
Schedule event
To complete the application, your child must attend a test session and, if applicable an interview at the campus program they are applying to. Event scheduling is in your ‘Ohana Parent Portal under Next Steps.
Residency and regional eligibility
Residency verification is required to apply by campus. Please note, applicants cannot apply for the same grade two years in a row and can only apply to one K-12 campus each year. Please review the residency grid below.
Ancestry verification
Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. If you would like your child to be considered under that policy, your child’s Hawaiian ancestry must be verified by Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘oulu Verification Services.
KS graduation requirements (for grade 10 and 11 applicants)
Be sure to review KS graduation requirements (grade 10 | grade 11) and compare them with your child’s academic record and course standing. Your child will need to be able to meet KS’ course and credit requirements to graduate from KS.
Submit last year’s final report cards
To complete the application, your child’s last year’s final report card needs to be submitted by September 30, 2023.
Submit the ‘ohana form
To complete the application, the ‘ohana form needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a teacher’s recommendation
To complete the application, a teacher’s recommendation needs to be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit a letter of recommendation
An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted by December 15, 2023.
Submit this year’s report cards
To complete the application, your child’s first semester of this year’s report card needs to be submitted by January 31, 2024 and your child’s 3rd quarter of this year’s report card or progress report needs to be submitted by March 31, 2024.
Age eligibility
Applications are available online beginning on August 15 2023. The application deadline for the 2024-2025 school year is September 30, 2023.
Applications are submitted online through the Admissions Application ‘Ohana Portal. If you require assistance to submit an online application, please contact our Admissions Office, O‘ahu Resource Center at Kawaiaha‘o Plaza in downtown Honolulu, or at one of Kamehameha Schools’ Regional Resource Centers. See a list of support sites locations and contact information.
| Grade applying to |
Age or grade level requirement |
| Kindergarten |
Born on or between August 1, 2018, and July 31, 2019* |
| Grade 4 |
Currently in Grade 3 |
| Grade 7 |
Currently in Grade 6 |
| Grade 9 |
Currently in Grade 8 |
| Grade 10** |
Currently in Grade 9 |
| Grade 11** |
Currently in Grade 10 |
*Kindergarten (K) applicants must be 5 years old by July 31st of the year in which they will be entering school and verify age eligibility. Keiki original birth certificate must be submitted to Ho‘oulu Verification Services to validate their age. Until the applicant’s birth certificate is submitted, their application for admissions to Kamehameha Schools is considered incomplete.
Applicants cannot be 19 years old by September 1st of their senior year.
**Only on space availability.
Residency and regional eligibility
Please enter your ZIP code (or type “out of state” for those not in the state of Hawai‘i) below for residency and regional eligibility.
O‘ahu (Ewa Region)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11
O‘ahu (Ko‘olau Region)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11
O‘ahu (Kona, O‘ahu Region)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11
O‘ahu (Waialua Region)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11
O‘ahu (Wai‘anae Region)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades Kindergarten, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11
Maui (Hana Region)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades K, 6, 9, 10 and 11
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11
Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11
Maui
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9 and 10
Maui
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9 and 10
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11
Hawai‘i (East Region)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9 and 10
Hawai‘i (West Region — Between Pa‘auilo and Ocean View)
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Campus, grades Kindergarten, 6, 9 and 10
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10 and 11
Moloka‘i
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus grades 7, 9, 10 and 11
Lana‘i
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus grades 7, 9, 10 and 11
Out of state
You are eligible to apply for:
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus, grades 7, 9, 10, 11
Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, grades 6, 9 and 10
Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Campus, grades 6, 9 and 10
| Island applying from |
KS region name |
Grade applying to |
Eligible for this campus |
| O‘ahu |
‘Ewa (Central)
Covers these ZIP codes: 96701, 96706, 96707, 96709, 96759, 96782, 96797, 96818, 96819, 96820, 96853, 96858, 96859, 96860, 96861
|
Kindergarten |
Kapālama |
| Grade 4 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 9 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
|
Ko‘olau (Windward)
Covers these ZIP codes: 96717, 96730, 96731, 96734, 96744, 96762, 96795, 96863
|
Kindergarten |
Kapālama |
| Grade 4 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 9 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
|
Kona, O‘ahu
Covers these ZIP codes: 96801, 96802, 96803, 96804, 96805, 96806, 96807, 96808, 96809, 96810, 96811, 96812, 96813, 96814, 96815, 96816, 96817, 96821, 96822, 96823, 96824, 96825, 96826, 96827, 96828, 96830, 96835, 96836, 96837, 96838, 96839, 96840, 96841, 96843, 96844, 96846, 96847, 96848, 96849, 96850
|
Kindergarten |
Kapālama |
| Grade 4 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 9 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
|
Waialua
Covers these ZIP codes: 96712, 96786, 96789, 96791, 96854, 96857
|
Kindergarten |
Kapālama |
| Grade 4 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 9 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
|
Wai‘anae Coast
Covers ZIP code 96792
|
Kindergarten |
Kapālama |
| Grade 4 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 9 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
| Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau |
Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau
Covers these ZIP codes: 96703, 96705, 96714, 96715, 96716, 96722, 96741, 96746, 96747, 96751, 96752, 96754, 96756, 96765, 96766, 96769, 96796
|
Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 9-11 |
Kapālama |
| Maui |
Hana, Maui
Covers these ZIP codes: 96713
|
Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 9 |
Maui OR Kapālama |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
| Lana‘i |
96763 |
Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 9-11 |
Kapālama |
| Moloka‘i |
96748
|
Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grades 9-11 |
Kapālama |
| Hawai‘i |
|
West
Covers these ZIP codes: 96704, 96719, 96725, 96726, 96727, 96737, 96738, 96739, 96740, 96743, 96745, 96750, 96755, 96776
|
Kindergarten |
Hawai‘i |
| Grade 6 |
Hawai‘i |
| Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 9 |
Hawai‘i OR Kapālama |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
| Out of state |
Out of state |
Grade 6 |
Hawai‘i OR Maui |
| Grade 7 |
Kapālama |
| Grade 9 |
Hawai‘i, Kapālama OR Maui |
| Grades 10-11 |
Kapālama |
Residential Life
Kamehameha Schools’ Kapālama Campus on O‘ahu has a boarding community for students in grades 7-12. The Residential Life program is a residential learning community that provides a home away from home for Neighbor Island students and serves to cultivate an experiential living and learning community based on Christian and Hawaiian values that empower haumāna to fulfill Pauahi’s legacy.
The Residential Life program provides students with a safe, nurturing environment that complements KS’ regular academic program. The program is designed to encourage student efforts to be respectful, responsible, and resourceful members of our lāhui. The program is full and varied and provides haumāna the opportunity to learn and practice independent living skills in a safe environment with the guidance and support of caring adults and peers.
Residential Life spaces are reserved for Neighbor Island students from islands/communities not presently served by Kamehameha Schools’ Neighbor Island campuses. Currently, there is no Residential Life program at the Hawai‘i or Maui campuses.
E hele mai to our Kapālama Campus Residential Life website.
Out-of-state applicants
Kamehameha Schools’ Kapālama Campus K-12 program gives priority to students who reside in the state of Hawai‘i. However, out-of-state students may apply and be considered for admission to the following grades: 7, 9, 10 and 11. Kamehameha Schools will not accept applications to elementary at any campus from out-of-state students. No exceptions will be made.
Residential Life: Boarding at the Kapālama Campus may be requested, but is not guaranteed.
Out-of-state applicants to grade 7, 9, 10 and 11 will be required to complete the admissions test, interview and writing sample.
Verification
Admissions priority is given to applicants residing in Hawai‘i with their parents or legal guardians, all of whom are current and permanent residents of the State of Hawai‘i in accordance with KS policy.
Kamehameha Schools observes geographic regional allocations to ensure equitable geographic distribution of spaces. Therefore, upon acceptance, parents must verify the physical home address listed on their child’s application.
In addition, if the applicant’s biological parents are not currently married, you will be required to submit all necessary court documents (divorce decrees, custody agreements, legal guardianship, etc.) to determine legal custody.
Custodial information establishes who has the legal authority to make decisions and to sign school documents on behalf of this child prior to your child’s enrollment at Kamehameha Schools.
NOTE: By policy, all applicants to Kamehameha Schools must be U.S. citizens. Even if an applicant is of Native Hawaiian ancestry, if they are not also a U.S. citizen, Kamehameha Schools cannot accept or process their application.
Request for ADA accommodations
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), children with a diagnosed, life-long disability that requires the utilization of accommodations during the testing and/or observation or interview phases of the application process may receive the required accommodation in these phases of Kamehameha Schools’ application process.
Validation of the required accommodation is needed. Parents requesting a testing and/or observation or interview accommodation for their child should include in-depth documentation of their child’s diagnosed disability that includes, but is not limited to:
- A diagnostic statement from the diagnosing professional that;
- Indicates the level of severity and;
- Provides a listing of functional limitations and;
- Provides a prognosis for the future (Will the disability stay at the same level of severity? Will it improve? Will it worsen?)
Notice regarding outstanding debts
Before applying your child for admission to Kamehameha Schools (KS), please be sure that any outstanding debts you have with KS are cleared. An outstanding debt may have been incurred if you have another child who is currently, or was previously, enrolled at KS.
An outstanding debt may delay application processing for your child. Applicants whose families have outstanding debts may not be offered admission to KS until the debt has been cleared.
If you have an outstanding debt, please call our Student Billing Office at 842-8309 or toll-free at 1-800-842-4682 x28309.
Tuition
| Grade |
Program |
Campus |
Tuition |
| Kindergarten-6th Grade |
|
Kapālama |
$5,248 |
| 7th-12th Grade |
Day |
Kapālama |
$6,456 |
| 7th-12th Grade |
Boarder |
Kapālama |
$11,458 |
The tuition costs are for the 2023-2024 school year.
Testing and interview
Kamehameha Schools uses the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress), which is a secured test administered using an iPad or laptop. For more information: MAP test information
A select number of students are called back to participate in a classroom observation as part of the second phase of the admissions process. The classroom observations are used to evaluate an applicant’s non-cognitive skills, social skills and general school readiness.
Applicants will complete and submit a writing sample during testing. A select number of students are called back to participate in an interview as part of the second phase of the admissions process.
During the test, applicants will also be required to complete and submit a writing sample. In addition to testing, applicants are scheduled for an interview with a Kamehameha Schools’ teacher or administrator.
FAQ
The competitive nature of admission to Kamehameha Schools is due to the increasing numbers of children seeking enrollment. Each year the number of applications received exceeds the number of available spaces anywhere from a ratio of 3:1 to 17:1, depending on the campus and grade level.
At Kamehameha Schools we firmly believe that every child has potential and wish to acknowledge and affirm the strength of each applicant’s unique talents. The challenge is that Kamehameha Schools does not have a space on one of our campuses for every applicant. However, we are actively working to develop community programs to serve greater numbers of children and meet a broader variety of needs and interests. These programs are designed to assist many more children to develop their potential, cultivate their unique abilities, and achieve success.
Kamehameha Schools is committed to enroll a diverse student population that represents a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, islands and communities, ability levels, talents and life experiences. Kamehameha Schools looks for students who have already demonstrated that they have the motivation, attitude, character and work habits necessary to successfully graduate from Kamehameha Schools.
Four-member faculty rating committees, composed of teachers and counselors, review all applications for a single grade level in each region. For example, all Windward applicants to grade seven are evaluated by the same committee. All committee members are current Kamehameha Schools’ faculty who work with children in the grade level to which your child is applying.
All admissions decisions are made by a consensus of the faculty rating committee that evaluated the applications of all students in a particular region and gender grouping. The Admissions Office facilitates the admissions process but does not select applicants for admission to Kamehameha Schools. Furthermore, the Admissions Office does not have the authority to reverse a committee decision, nor does that authority rest with the CEO or Trustees of Kamehameha Schools. Faculty Rating Committees are empowered to make all admission decisions. Any diversion from this process is considered tampering.
All faculty rating committee members must disclose any personal potential conflicts of interest prior to the review process. Faculty members with conflicts are excluded from participating. The rating process is conducted using strict protocols. Score calculations for applicants are run on our computer system to avoid human arithmetic errors. All selection meetings are facilitated by the Admissions Office and monitored by the Internal Auditor. Finally, every summer Kamehameha Schools’ Internal Auditor audits the records of the Admissions Office. The final audit report is shared with the CEO, Trustees and the external Court Master, who also reviews Kamehameha Schools annually.
Yes. Students in this category are sent notifications advising them that they are placed in a wait pool. These notifications need to be acknowledged and responded to, or the applicant will be withdrawn and not included in the wait pool process. The terms and length of wait pools vary by campus and grade level.
No, not all applicants who are orphans or indigents are enrolled. As directed by Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s will, Hawaiian orphans and Hawaiian children living in indigent circumstances do receive special consideration for admission. In order to be considered as an orphan or indigent applicant, additional paperwork and verification is required. Special consideration spaces are limited and, like all other applicants, they are tested and evaluated and must demonstrate their ability to be successful at Kamehameha Schools.
Absolutely! There is so much more to Kamehameha Schools than our three campuses. Kamehameha Schools actually offers many innovative educational programs. Offerings include a variety of summer programs, distance learning, community based family education, mentoring programs and more. Kamehameha Schools also operates 30 preschools statewide, has formed partnerships with public charter schools, and offers post-high school financial aid for students.
Of particular interest to the parents of Pre-K-12 children is the Pauahi Keiki Scholars program, which offers need-based financial assistance to help children attend other qualifying non-KS preschools and the Kīpona Scholarship program, which offers need-based financial assistance to help children attending private K-12 schools other than Kamehameha Schools.
