Punahou vs. ʻIolani: How the Two Schools Compare for 2027–28

Written by: Academia Tutor School Editorial Team / Supervised by: Yamahi

Punahou and ʻIolani are the two schools families ask us about most. They are both large, long-established K–12 schools a short drive apart, but their entry grades, kindergarten birthdate ranges, deadlines and financial aid calendars are different. This column puts the facts side by side, using only what each school publishes on its official website. It does not rank the schools — the right fit depends on your child and your family.

Punahou and ʻIolani side by side

For the full details of each school, see our guide pages: Punahou School and ʻIolani School.

How does each school describe itself?

Punahou was founded in 1841 so that missionary children could be educated in Hawaiʻi with their families, on land given by Hawaiian aliʻi (chiefs); it later opened to the children of Hawaiʻi in general. The name Ka Punahou refers to the spring at the center of campus and means “the new spring.” Punahou’s mission statement is “We are children of Ka Punahou, the new spring,” and its values draw on both Hawaiian and Christian heritage. Its five values are Children of the New Spring, Dream and Discover, Purpose and Kuleana, A Mat That Seats Many, and Hawaiʻi and the World.

ʻIolani traces its beginning to 1863, when Anglican clergy who came to Hawaiʻi at the request of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma founded St. Alban’s College. The school says ʻIolani means “heavenly hawk” and honors King Kamehameha IV, whose name was Alexander Liholiho ʻIolani. ʻIolani describes itself as a co-educational, college-preparatory school rooted in the tradition and values of The Episcopal Church, and its motto is “One Team.” The whole school has operated on its current Ala Wai campus since fall 1953, and girls were first admitted in 1979.

Which grades can your child enter?

This is the biggest practical difference. Check your child’s grade for 2027–28 first.

• Kindergarten: the largest entry point at both schools — 150 places at Punahou and about 96 at ʻIolani.
• Grades 1–3: Punahou accepts applications, but places depend on students leaving. ʻIolani does not admit new students in Grades 1–5.
• Grade 4: Punahou adds 50 students, for a grade of about 200 in eight classrooms. Punahou says Grade 5 applicants are families who applied for Grade 4 the year before and were wait-pooled.
• Grade 6: both schools add a large group — about 88 at Punahou (a grade of about 280) and about 80 at ʻIolani (a grade of about 175).
• Grades 7–8: Punahou adds 80 in Grade 7; Grade 8 depends on openings. ʻIolani lists 50 openings in total for Grades 7 and 8.
• Grade 9: Punahou adds 80 students to the Academy; ʻIolani lists 50 openings.
• Grades 10–12: Punahou depends on openings. ʻIolani accepts Grades 10–11 only as space allows.

What does the admission process look like?

Both schools use an application, teacher references, report cards and an assessment or interview. The details differ by grade.

The 2027–28 admission calendar for both schools

Two of the open deadlines fall on a Sunday (Nov. 1 and Nov. 15), so plan to submit a few days early. The SSAT usually needs the most lead time: Punahou needs scores by Dec. 31 and ʻIolani by Jan. 31.

Tuition and financial aid

• Punahou 2026–27: $34,230 for kindergarten through Grade 12. Tuition includes the technology program (iPads and laptops) and outdoor education; lunch and snacks are not included, and other fees may apply in Grades 6–12.
• ʻIolani 2026–27: $32,890 for day students in kindergarten through Grade 12, plus a $525 technology fee; books are included through Grade 6. Boarding tuition is $74,000.
• Financial aid deadlines for new families (2027–28): Punahou Grades K–5 Oct. 23, 2026 (passed) and Grades 6–12 Nov. 30, 2026, through Ravenna Financial Aid. ʻIolani Feb. 15, 2027, through Clarity (open to new families from Dec. 1, 2026).
• Admission and aid are separate at both schools. Punahou says its admission process is need-blind and that applying for aid will not affect the admission decision. ʻIolani also says applying for aid does not affect the admission decision. ʻIolani’s aid is not available to international students in its boarding program.

For families applying from outside Hawaiʻi

• ʻIolani is SEVP-approved and can enroll students on an F-1 visa. An international day student must live with at least one parent full time. Boarding (Grades 9–12) is open to students from the neighbor islands, the mainland and abroad; applicants whose first language is not English take the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test in addition to the SSAT.
• Punahou’s admission pages do not describe boarding or F-1 enrollment. If your child would come from abroad, ask Punahou’s admission office directly before applying.
• Kindergarten assessments at both schools are held in person, so confirm dates with the admission office before booking travel.

How to decide which to apply to

• Start with the grade. If your child will be in Grades 1–5 next year, only Punahou has entry points in that range (Grades 1–3 by opening, Grade 4 as a main entry).
• Check the birthdate range for kindergarten — it may put your child in a different year at each school.
• Read each school’s own words. Mission statements, values and the way each school talks about its history tell you more about fit than any ranking.
• You can apply to both. For Grades 6 and up the deadlines are two weeks apart, and the SSAT and teacher references can be prepared for both at the same time.

How Academia Tutor School can help

Our Private School Entrance Exam Prep program prepares children for the parts of admission that are hard to practice at home: individual assessments, Saturday group sessions, interviews, writing samples, and the vocabulary, listening and reasoning skills used in assessments. Lessons run Monday to Friday after school, private or in groups of up to five. In 2026, our students were admitted to 23 schools.

No tutoring program can promise admission, and we do not. Our goal is for your child to walk in calm and ready to show who they are.

Related: Hawaiʻi School Guide · Hawaii private school application deadlines for 2027–28 · Punahou School · ʻIolani School

Sources

• Punahou School, About: https://www.punahou.edu/about
• Punahou School, Mission and Values: https://www.punahou.edu/about/mission-and-values
• Punahou School, Legacy: https://www.punahou.edu/about/legacy
• Punahou School, Applying to Punahou (Kindergarten – Grade 3, Grades 4 – 5, Grades 6 – 8, Grades 9 – 12): https://www.punahou.edu/admissions/applying-to-punahou
• Punahou School, Tuition and Financial Aid: https://www.punahou.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid
• ʻIolani School, About: https://www.iolani.org/about
• ʻIolani School, Mission: https://www.iolani.org/school/mission
• ʻIolani School, History: https://www.iolani.org/school/history
• ʻIolani School, Admission and Day Admission: https://www.iolani.org/admission and https://www.iolani.org/admission/day
• ʻIolani School, Boarding Admission and Boarding Tuition and Financial Aid: https://www.iolani.org/admission/boarding and https://www.iolani.org/admission/boarding/tuition-financial-aid
• ʻIolani School, Day Student Tuition and Financial Aid: https://www.iolani.org/admission/day/day-student-tuition and https://www.iolani.org/admission/day/financial-aid

Information as of October 24, 2026. Details change every year — always confirm with each school’s admission office. Academia Tutor School is not affiliated with the schools mentioned.