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Everything Families Need to Know About Applying to This Day and Boarding School in Honolulu, HI.
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Iolani School (the name means “heavenly hawk”) is a selective K-12 independent day and boarding school in Honolulu, serving 2,300 students with a 96%+ college enrollment rate. Entry points include Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grades 7-9, and space-available openings in Grades 10-11. Grades 6-11 must submit SSAT scores, and Grades 7-11 additionally complete an on-campus interview and writing sample. Applications for the 2027-28 school year open August 1, 2026, with a November 15, 2026 general deadline (Grades 6-11) and a January 15, 2027 deadline for boarding applicants.
Why Do Families Choose Iolani School?
Founded in 1863 at the request of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, Iolani is currently led by Melanie K. Pfingsten, Interim Head of School. Its mission, developing liberally educated, well-rounded individuals prepared for higher education and responsible, moral citizenship, reflects its Episcopal-affiliated history while serving a broadly multicultural Hawaii community. Families are drawn to the academic rigor (30 AP courses, a 96%+ college enrollment rate), the flexibility of day and boarding options, and an athletics program, 109 Upper School teams, that is among the largest of any school in the country.
At a Glance
- Location: 563 Kamoku Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96826
- Type: Private, Independent, Episcopal-affiliated, Day & Boarding, Coed (K-12)
- Grades: Lower School (K-6), Upper School (7-12)
- Total Enrollment: 2,300 students
- College Outcomes: 96%+ college enrollment rate
Academic Snapshot
| Metric | Figure |
| AP Courses Offered | 30 distinct AP courses (1,492 total enrollments, 2025-26) |
| Average Class Size | 16 students |
| SAT Median (Class of 2026, by weighted GPA cohort) | 4.0+ GPA: EBRW 730 / Math 750 | 3.6+ GPA: EBRW 670 / Math 680 | 3.2+ GPA: EBRW 600 / Math 600 | Below 3.2 GPA: EBRW 570 / Math 580 |
| College Enrollment Rate | 96%+ |
Academic departments include English, History, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, World Language (Chinese, French, Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish), Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Computer Science, Design & Fabrication, Engineering & Robotics, Media, Religion (Bible), Physical Education, and Leadership & Service Learning.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Iolani School?
Openings are limited and vary sharply by entry point: 96 Kindergarten seats, roughly 80 new Grade 6 admits into a class of about 175, 50 openings each in Grades 7-8 and Grade 9, and Grades 10-11 open only on a space-available basis. Families researching Honolulu’s other selective independent schools often also consider Punahou School, Iolani’s longtime academic and athletic rival.
Top Tips for Applying
- Register for the SSAT as soon as it opens on August 1, 2026, if applying to Grades 6-11.
- Note the different deadlines: October 15 (Kindergarten), November 15 (Grades 6-11 day), and January 15 (Grades 9-11 boarding).
- Treat the parent statement and, for Grades 7-11, the student writing sample as seriously as test scores.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend the HAIS Education Fair or a grade-specific admission info session.
- For Grades 7-11, prepare for the interview and writing sample as one combined 50-minute visit.
- Delegate teacher reference reports only after November 30 so teachers have time to get to know your child.
Iolani School Admission Process
- Create an account in Ravenna using a current email address.
- Follow the application steps listed for your child’s specific grade level.
- Submit required supporting documents directly in Ravenna, including transcripts and reference reports.
- For Grades 6-11, register for and complete the SSAT; for Grades 7-11, attend the on-campus (or Zoom) interview and writing sample.
- Await the admission decision, emailed mid-March 2027.
For general guidance on assembling a strong private school application, see our full application walkthrough.
Admissions Calendar & Key Dates
| Event | Date |
| Applications Open | August 1, 2026 |
| HAIS K-12 Private School Education Fair | September 12, 2026 |
| Kindergarten Virtual Open House | September 17, 2026 |
| Grades 6-9 Admission Info Night (webinar) | October 1, 2026 |
| Kindergarten Application Deadline | October 15, 2026 |
| Grades 6-11 Application Deadline | November 15, 2026 |
| Boarding (Grades 9-11) Application Deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| All Supporting Documents Due | January 31, 2027 |
| Financial Aid Application Deadline | February 15, 2027 |
| Admission Decisions Emailed | Mid-March 2027 |
| Enrollment Deadline, Grades 6-11 | April 15, 2027 |
| Enrollment Deadline, Kindergarten | April 22, 2027 |
Iolani School Application Requirements
To apply to Iolani School, you will need to submit the following:
Kindergarten
Families applying for Kindergarten must submit a completed application form and a teacher reference report. No SSAT testing or formal interview is required for candidates at this entry point for Iolani School. The process is designed to be straightforward for young applicants and their families during this time.
SSAT Testing (Grades 6-11)
Applicants for Grades 6 through 11 must register for the SSAT at ssat.org starting August 1, 2026, using the school code 4144. Testing sessions occur from October 2026 to January 2027, with scores due by January 31. Grade 12 candidates at Iolani School instead provide PSAT, SAT, or ACT results to complete this part.
Interview & Writing Sample (Grades 7-11)
Candidates for Grades 7 through 11 attend a combined 50-minute on-campus interview and writing sample visit. These sessions are held between November 2026 and January 2027 and may include an optional tour. Off-island students applying to Iolani School can complete this requirement virtually via a Zoom appointment.
Student Writing Sample (Grades 7-11)
Students applying for Grades 7 through 11 must complete a 250 to 500-word writing sample during their visit. This independent task is completed in roughly 20 minutes without the use of external aids or editing tools. It allows the Iolani School admissions team to assess a student’s authentic voice and writing ability.
Parent Statement
A comprehensive parent statement is a mandatory part of the application process for all interested families. This document requires parents to answer three open-ended questions that help the committee learn about the student. It is a vital tool for Iolani School to understand your child’s unique background and personal strengths.
Transcripts & Recommendations
The school requires official transcripts from the prior and current years along with two teacher reference reports. Reference reports should be requested after November 30 and must be submitted to the office by February 1. Iolani School also welcomes optional mentor or administrator reports to provide further student context.
Boarding (Grades 9-11)
Students seeking residential enrollment in Grades 9 through 11 must follow the specific boarding timeline. The application deadline for boarding candidates is January 15, 2027, which is later than the day deadline. This track provides a unique opportunity for global students to join the Iolani School campus community.
Ready to Build Your Child’s Iolani Application Strategy?
Our consultants help families prepare for the SSAT, interview, and every other stage of the process.
Student Life at Iolani
Iolani provides a holistic student experience, combining a rigorous, diverse academic curriculum with one of the nation’s largest athletic programs. Rooted in its Episcopal history, the school fosters a vibrant, multicultural community that brings together day and boarding students from Hawaii and around the world.
Academics
Iolani’s curriculum spans English, History, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, seven World Languages, Visual and Performing Arts, Computer Science, Design & Fabrication, Engineering & Robotics, Media, Religion, Physical Education, and Leadership & Service Learning.
Athletics
Iolani’s athletics program fields 109 Upper School teams, including sports distinctive to Hawaii such as:
- Surfing
- Paddling
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Judo
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Diving
- Flag Football (Girls)
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Wrestling
Community
As a day and boarding school with an Episcopal-affiliated history, Iolani draws students from across Oahu, the neighbor islands, and internationally, within a broadly multicultural Hawaii community.
Notable Iolani Alumni
- Sun Yat-sen (Class of 1882). Chinese physician and revolutionary who served as the first provisional president of the Republic of China.
- Guy Kawasaki (Class of 1972). Author, venture capitalist, and former Chief Evangelist of Apple.
- Mufi Hannemann (Class of 1972). Former Mayor of Honolulu.
- Angela Aki (Class of 1996). Japanese-American singer-songwriter and pop star in Japan.
- Bobby Webster (Class of 2002). General Manager of the Toronto Raptors.
“Going through the admissions process for Iolani from California felt impossible, but Cardinal’s guidance on our overall application was instrumental to our success. We are thrilled our son is now at Iolani!”
— David, Parent from the Bay Area
Get Into the Top Hawaiian Schools in the U.S.
Iolani’s multiple entry points, day and boarding tracks, and grade-specific testing requirements mean the right strategy depends heavily on where and how your child applies. Cardinal Education helps families build results-driven strategies for whichever entry point and track fits their child.
Considering Iolani School?
Our consultants help families navigate Iolani’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.
If you’re Asian American and specifically interested in how these same fundamentals apply to you, you can also see our dedicated guide to Iolani for Asian American families.
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