Although the standard points of entry are at Kindergarten and grades 4, 6, 7 and 9, new students enter Punahou at all grade levels. In grades 1 – 3, 5, 8 and 10 – 12, the number of openings is contingent upon withdrawals. Competition at each grade can be keen, and there are usually more qualified applicants than spaces. Candidates not admitted are encouraged to reapply. Schoolwide, there are typically 2,300 applications for approximately 500 spaces.

2011 – 2012 School Year

• Boys: June 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006
• Girls: September 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006

Grades 1 – 3 and 5
Testing for admission at these grade levels is offered to applicants who are in the wait pool (those who qualified the previous year, but were not placed). These candidates must submit an application and complete testing for the current application year.

Off-Island Applicants
Candidates outside O'ahu for grades K – 8 will be considered only if their parents will be living on O'ahu during the school year. Applicants for grades 9 – 12 may be admitted if friends or relatives agree to accept full host-parent responsibility for the students while they attend Punahou. Host-parent responsibilities include having authority to act for or on behalf of the student in an emergency situation. The host-parent must have written authorization from the student's parents or legal guardian.

All international applicants must have a good command of English and must be no older than eighteen years and nine months by September of their senior year. Punahou does not admit postgraduate students.