Academic Profile

List of 5 items.

• Grade Point Average

  The GPA is computed annually and cumulatively. Only courses taken at Punahou that receive a letter grade are used to determine the GPA. Citizenship and Physical Education grades are included in the GPA. Advanced Placement and Honors courses are not given additional point values. Rarely does a student graduate with a 4.0 GPA. Punahou School does not rank its students. GPA is based on the traditional 4-point scale (A = 4.000, A– = 3.667, B+ = 3.333, B = 3.000, B– = 2.667, C+ = 2.333, C = 2.000, C– = 1.667, D+ = 1.333, D = 1.000, D– = 0.667).

• Honors and Advanced Placement Courses

  Punahou students are advised not to take more than two Advanced Placement courses simultaneously. Students enrolled in AP courses must take AP exams. Because of COVID-19, this mandatory AP exam requirement was waived in Spring 2020 and Spring 2021.
   
  

  English Senior English Honors (one semester only) Junior English Honors (one semester only) Language Japanese: II Honors, III Honors, IV Honors, V Honors French: II Honors, III Honors, IV Honors, AP French Language and Culture Spanish: II Honors, III Honors, IV Honors, AP Spanish Language and Culture Mandarin Chinese: II Honors, III Honors, IV Honors, V Honors Mathematics Geometry Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors Advanced Pre-Calculus Honors AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Statistics

  Science Chemistry Honors Physics Honors Biology Honors AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2 AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics Social Studies AP United States History AP European History AP U.S. Government and Politics Other AP Psychology AP Studio Art AP Computer Science Principles Selective Enrollment by Audition Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensemble Chorale

• Course Explanations

  Integrated Courses
  Recognizing the value of interdisciplinary courses (ID) which integrate materials and techniques from various disciplines, Punahou offers students the opportunity to select these courses beginning in ninth grade. Some students select these classes over the honors and AP counterparts because they appreciate the chance to make connections across disciplines or to integrate the various facets of a subject.
  
  

  For a comprehensive list of interdisciplinary courses offered, please visit punahou.edu/curriculum-detail.

  
  Other courses that may require further explanation are:
  

  • AP Physics I & II: This is a one-year course that prepares students for both the AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 exams. To acknowledge the workload of this course, starting in 2022 – 2023, the course earns 1.5 total credits.
  • Senior Capstone: This course in the Social Studies department is designed as a culminating experience that synthesizes students’ collective learning opportunities, values and the Aims of a Punahou Education. With a focus on cultivating social and moral responsibility, students pursue personal interests while participating in deeds of service to better understand and provide sustainable solutions to communities in need. This course graduates students with passion, heart and intellect, providing them with the confidence and skills needed to become independent, globally minded citizens. Semester course. One-half credit. Required for graduation.
  • Ke Kilohana: These courses allow students to apply their skills, knowledge, and gifts in service to a community of practice. In their senior year, students choose from a variety of Ke Kilohana courses that highlight applied learning across many disciplines and topics. As part of their coursework, students participate in collective service opportunities and identify a community need around which they build an individual opportunity for authentic service. Students culminate their Ke Kilohana course experience with a public product, presentation or performance.
  • Center Distinctions: This program encompasses a 4-year process that recognizes outstanding achievements in knowledge, skills, and dispositions in one of the Instructional Centers: Wo International Center; Luke Center
    for Public Service; Kuaihelani Center for ‘Ike Hawai‘i; CASE Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship; and Design, Technology and Engineering. Distinctions can be earned by students who demonstrate focused study, passion, and skill aligned to the Center competencies.
  • G-Term: A short learning experience is offered to Academy students by Punahou School faculty and staff between the first and second semesters. This experience provides immersive learning opportunities not feasible within a normal class or not available to all students through normal classes (for the latter, examples include short courses on topics such as glass blowing, acting, etc.) Students can select from 60+ offerings; student growth is assessed but no grades are given and no graduation credit is assigned.
  • Explorations: This program is an immersive, deep dive opportunity for students which allows them to explore unique, authentic and transdisciplinary topics in a non-graded learning environment. Each course is open to interested students whose schedules allow participation. Student growth is assessed but no grades are given and no graduation credit is assigned.

• Graduation Requirements

  English	4 credits
  Social Studies	3 1/2 credits
  Science	2 credits
  Math	3 credits
  Language	2 credits
  Physical Education	2 credits
  Visual and Performing Arts	2 credits
  Total minimum credits required for graduation	22 credits

• Presidential Scholars

  2022 - Sacha Pakravan 2021 - Cosette Wu   2019 - Ryan Park 2018 - Isabelle Rhee 2017 - Carter Nakamoto 2016 - Michael Chen and Eileen Liu 2011 - Kimberly Schaefer 2008 - Christopher Burniske  2006 - Scott Seki  2005 - Julia Ogilvie (Scholar in the Arts)  2004 - Will Jacobson and Avery Cavanah, Chris Schmicker (Scholar in the Arts)  2002 - Kara S. Tabor-Furmark  2001 - Magali A. M. Fassiotto  1998 - Elizabeth K. Nguyen  1996 - Jeffery Chung  1995 - Matthew Passion

  1993 - Stacy Uyekubo 1992 - Miki Anzai and Brian Koh  1991 - Scott Keller  1986 - Kristine Tanno  1985 - Allegra Goodman  1984 - Janyce Mitchell and David Blume  1982 - Chau Tseng  1979 - Jonathan Selinger  1978 - John Lie and Margaret Garties  1975 - Eric Howell  1971 - Mike Sayama  1970 - Allan Chinen  1966 - Randall Ming Au  1964 - Wilbur Chun