Best Private Schools in Downtown Honolulu

There are numerous private schools in Honolulu. Finding the perfect fit for you and your child can be challenging. The following is a list of some the best private schools found in downtown Honolulu.

On Pali Highway in Nu'uana Valley is the first Japanese Buddhist school founded outside of Japan, Hongwanji Mission School. It is coed with over 300 students in preschool through grade eight. It was founded in 1949 by Mary Foster the daughter of James Robinson, founder of the Robinson Estate which holds ownership of the island of Ni'ihau. While Honwanji was started as a school for Japanese Buddhists, today many of the students come from varying religious backgrounds. The curriculum is highly academic with Buddhist undertones. The goal of the school is to create students with strong ethical and moral values who have a good understanding of other cultures. The students are also encouraged to develop their artistic talents. Tuition is about $8,000.

Housed on the campus if Hongwanji Mission School is the extension school Pacific Buddhist Academy, a college preparatory school founded in 2004. It is one of the only Buddhist high schools in the United States. There are about 40 students in grades nine through twelve. Following Buddhist values, students are taught harmony, interdependence and community service. In addition, academic courses include English, social studies, health, fitness, Japanese language and culture, performance and visual arts. The well known Peace Studies program teaches the students conflict resolution skills. Tuition fees are about $8,000.

On Mission Lane in downtown Honolulu lies Kawaiaha'o School. The school has just over 100 students in preschool through fifth grade. Kawaiaha'o School is part of Kawaiaha'o Church, the first Christian church in Hawaii. Kawaiaha'o is a Protestant school that uses the Montessorri method to teach Christian values. The school also takes its Hawaiian heritage very seriously and teaches the students Hawaiian language, culture, music and dance. The classrooms are multiage which allows for children of different ages to work together. Tuition is about $8,000.

St. Andrew's Priory is a girls only school found in the financial district of downtown Honolulu. The Priory, as it is known, was founded by Queen Emma in 1867. The school has approximately 500 students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The Priory is a non-profit organization that is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. The curriculum at the Priory is traditional. Christian values are a theme throughout and students are expected to participate in community service activities. Despite being one of the oldest schools in Hawaii, it was one of the first to be wired for laptop computers. Tuition costs are about $12,000.

Parents have a difficult decision when it comes to choosing a private school for their children, especially with the large number of private schools in Honolulu. The above are the best private schools found in downtown Honolulu.