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 2020 senior class was comprised of 422 students.

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SAT

Score	Evidence-based Reading and Writing (% of students)	Math (% of students)
750 – 800	10.2	25.9
700 – 740	18.8	16.9
650 – 690	28.3	20.2
600 – 640	20.9	17.6
550 – 590	13.3	13.3
500 – 540	7.1	4.8
450 – 490	1.4	1.2
400 – 440	0.0	0.2


Number of Tests	421	421
Mean	653	675
Range of Mid-50%	600 – 710	600 – 750

GPA

Cumulative GPA
% of students
4.000 – 3.8
34.4
3.799 – 3.6
31.0
3.599 – 3.4
20.4
3.399 – 3.2
10.0
3.199 – 3.0
3.3
2.999 – 2.8
0.5
2.799 – 2.6
0.5
2.599 – 2.0
0.2
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AP

Score
Number of Tests
Percent of Total
5
403
31
4
392 30
3
326
25
2
150 11
1
43 3
Mean Score
Total Number of Tests
3.84
1,368
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Cumulative GPA	% of students
4.000 – 3.8	34.4
3.799 – 3.6	31.0
3.599 – 3.4	20.4
3.399 – 3.2	10.0
3.199 – 3.0	3.3
2.999 – 2.8	0.5
2.799 – 2.6	0.5
2.599 – 2.0	0.2

Score	Number of Tests	Percent of Total
5	403	31
4	392	30
3	326	25
2	150	11
1	43	3

Mean Score	Total Number of Tests
3.84	1,368

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26 National Merit Semifinalists

Class of 2020 (6% of students)
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3.722 Median GPA

Class of 2021 as of June 2020 (422 students)
34 Presidential Scholars

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

Class of 2020 enrolled in 140 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 “Statement of Principles of Good Practice.”

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

Course Explanations
Integrated Courses
Recognizing the value of interdisciplinary courses (ID) which integrate materials and techniques from various disciplines, Punahou offers students the opporunity to select these courses beginning in eleventh 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.
Among the courses we offer are these:
- American Studies. (11) United States History and American Literature
- Arts & Letters. (11, 12) An interdisciplinary course combining the study of visual arts and creative writing. One credit course which satisfies both English and Performing Arts graduation requirements.
- Creativity & Composition. (11, 12) An interdisciplinary course combining the study of English and music. One credit course which satisfies both English and Performing Arts graduation requirements.
Other courses that may require further explanation are:
- 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.
- Exploration: 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 5- to 6-week 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.
- 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.

Graduation Requirements

Presidential Scholars

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.

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

Academic Profile

List of 3 items.

SAT

GPA

AP

List of 4 items.

26 National Merit Semifinalists

3.722 Median GPA

34 Presidential Scholars

99% Attend 4-year College

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 “Statement of Principles of Good Practice.”

List of 5 items.

Grade Point Average

Honors and Advanced Placement Courses

Course Explanations

Graduation Requirements

Presidential Scholars

Contact

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College and Career Resource Center

List of 1 items.

College Counseling Staff

Punahou School