About

Academic Profile

Punahou School, an independent college preparatory day school, was founded in 1841 by Protestant missionaries on lands given to them by Hawaiian chiefs.

The beneficiary of these two traditions, Punahou is now the largest independent school on a single campus in the United States, serving more than 3,750 students in kindergarten through grade 12. The 2022 senior class was comprised of 437 students.

Academic Profile 2022 – 2023

List of 3 items.

  • SAT

    Score
    Evidence-based Reading and Writing (% of students)
    Math (% of students)
    750 – 800
    11.8
    29.3
    700 – 740
    21.2
    11.8
    650 – 690
    23.8
    14.8
    600 – 640
    19.9
    15.9
    550 – 590
    13.9
    16.9
    500 – 540
    6.5
    7.4
    450 – 490
    2.0
    2.5
    400 – 440
    0.9
    1.2
     350 – 390 0.0 0.2
       
    Number of Tests
    433
    433
    Mean
    652
    663
    Range of Mid-50%
    600 – 715
    590 – 750
    Read More
  • GPA

    Cumulative GPA
    % of students
    4.000 – 3.8
    46.7
    3.799 – 3.6
    30.7
    3.599 – 3.4
    13.0
    3.399 – 3.2
    5.6
    3.199 – 3.0
    2.8
    2.999 – 2.8
    1.2
    Read More
  • AP

    Score
    Number of Tests
    Percent of Total
    5
    39531
    4
    37330
    3
    290
    23
    2
    13611
    1
    685
    Mean Score
    Total Number of Tests
    3.7
    1,262
    Read More

List of 4 items.

  • 21 National Merit Semifinalists

    Class of 2023
    Read More
  • 3.791 Median GPA

    Class of 2023
    as of June 2022 (430 students)
  • 36 Presidential Scholars

    Including 2 National Scholars in the Arts (since 1964)
  • 99% Attend 4-year College

    Class of 2022 enrolled in 161 different institutions

Punahou School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and complies with the NACAC “Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission.”

The school year consists of two semesters of approximately equal length. Scheduling uses a modular system, and classes vary in length according to their needs.

For a complete list of colleges attended by two or more Punahou School graduates over the last four years, download the 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 and 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, and values. 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.
    • 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

    English4 credits
    Social Studies3 1/2 credits
    Science2 credits
    Math3 credits
    Language2 credits
    Physical Education2 credits
    Visual and Performing Arts2 credits
    Total minimum credits required for graduation22 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

Contact

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List of 1 items.

Punahou School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability in administration of its educational or admission policies, financial aid programs, athletic and other School administered programs or in its employment practices.
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