Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy Featured School: Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
Kamuela, HI
Hawaii Preparatory Academy is a co-educational, college-preparatory, day and boarding school. On Hawai'i Island, you will live and learn within spectacular landscapes, vital ecosystems, and a mix of world cultures. At Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, we embrace these unique resources to create research partnerships, signature programs, and exceptional learning opportunities that make HPA a school like no other. HPA is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 application season! We are accepting applications now through our priority deadline of February 10, 2024.  After that, we will move into the rolling application phase.  Hawai'i Preparatory Academy is a top rated, private, boarding school. It has 572 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. Tuition is $64,800 for the highest grade offered. After graduation, 95% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college. The school is located in the beautiful, rural setting of Waimea on the northern side of the spectacular island of Hawaii, which National Geographic named one of the best places in the world to live. At HPA, our location allows us to offer a high school education like no other. We combine a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with the chance to design and conduct your own real-world research, arts, or community projects. Through capstone classes, 16 Advanced Placement courses, our award-winning Energy Lab, immersive local learning, and other signature programs, we support and empower you to hone skills, build confidence, and create an impressive body of work for college and later life. Students are given the opportunity to do cutting edge research in independent projects such as brain research, genetics, astronomy, and geology; and HPA partnerships with organizations like Stanford University, Cornell, Keck Observatory, and NASA expose students to more "real world" research and a strategic advantage when applying to universities. HPA offers two, three-week summer school for students ages eleven through seventeen with mostly enrichment courses including SAT prep, math, science, English, ESL, and the arts.

Hargrave Military Academy - Review #2

Read more details about Hargrave Military Academy on their 2024-25 profile page.
Hargrave Military Academy
5

About the Author:

Years Attended Boarding School:
2017-2022
Sports and Activities:
Battalion Commander, Beta Club, Honor Council, Drill Team, Color Guard, Chapel Staff, Varsity Football, Varsity Lacrosse
College Enrolled:
Texas A&M University
Home Town, State:
Carlisle, MA

Reflections and Advice:

1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
The school is unwavering when it comes to meeting their mission statement of Building Young Men into Leaders of Character Prepared for Lifelong Success. The faculty and staff are deeply invested and it is clear that they care for all students and their overall success in life. All cadets who buy into the Hargrave program, and who embrace the four pillars of Athletics, Faith, Character Development, and Academics will leave as a holistic and stronger individual from when they first arrived on campus. Hargrave’s success of its Alumni speaks to its’ uniqueness as a school. It has been an amazing five year journey at Hargrave and I am indebted to this institution for what it has instilled in me.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I am most honored to have spent my senior year as the Battalion Commander, the highest ranking cadet. Leadership is a gift given to you by those that you lead and I would like to extend my deepest gratitude towards my fellow cadets and mentors at the school. I will never forget my time spent here.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
My advice: Hargrave is not easy. At times you will want to quit simply because it is challenging. If you chose to come to Hargrave….soak in everything. Seize every opportunity to engage in the ways of the Academy. Napoleon once said “Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”So, If you must make a decision, decide to excel here. It will forever be worth it.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
I most enjoyed the brotherhood that I found, and the mentors that developed me into a man of great ambition.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Delta Company will always be better than Alpha Company in drill, but Bravo Company better than both!

Academics:

1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
What I enjoyed most about the academics were the small class sizes and the highly invested teaching staff. Having small class sizes, which normally were 10-15 students, made a comparable difference from what I experienced in public school. This led to a direct and very positive impact on my grades, and general GPA. The Classes were difficult but I felt prepared.

Athletics:

1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
There is nothing better than fun and positive competition with your fellow brothers. Athletics at Hargrave offered me many opportunities for this as well as to try out new sports alongside my peers. Hargrave athletics taught me the importance of keeping my body in peak physical shape and to maintain a ‘winners’ attitude in all that I do.

Art, Music, and Theatre:

1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
I was not directly involved in any of the Arts programs offered, However through my position as Battalion Commander I worked closely with the heads of the Arts Programs. Additionally, I also took part in the many parades and ceremonies which involved the marching band. They make up an entire Company in the Corps of Cadets. They are highly professional and very talented.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Out of my 5 years here I never found myself at a lack of extracurricular activities to participate in. The most memorable ones were: Color Guard, Drill Team, Current Events Club, Beta Club, and Honor Council.

Dorm Life:

1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Dorm life took time getting used to, but as I progressed throughout my years I learned to love it. Dorm life is living with your best friends 24/7, yet still maintaining traditional military standards of room appearance and cleanliness. Secondly, if you show yourself as a leader in the corps…you will earn your own room.

Dining:

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
Hargrave offered many options of good, healthy, and hot foods. I was always grateful for the Mess Hall staff that took good care of us men. Not every dish was perfect but overall the food was good.

Social and Town Life:

1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
The surrounding town of Chatham VA is a small, tight knit community. Hargrave is very well respected among the people and the Academy is an important part of the town's history. Chatham has a few restaurants and shops. I enjoy the simplicity of the town very much as it reminds me of my hometown.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
The corps of cadets at Hargrave is a brotherhood unlike Anywhere else. It can not be explained, rather can only be experienced. The Students all respect each other, and through the shared rigor of the school year, all come to know each other exceedingly well. Hargrave is a family who looks out for the guys to their left and right,

Daily Schedule:

Weekday
6:15 AM
Wake up
6:30 AM
Room Prep/Inspection
6:45 AM
Breakfast
7:15 AM
Formation
7:30 AM
Classes
12:00 AM
Formation/Lunch
1:00 PM
Classes or military time
3:00 PM
Athletics/sports
6:15 PM
Formation/Dinner
9:00 PM
Evening Prep Time
Weekend
9:00 AM
Wake-up
10:00 AM
Brunch
11:00 AM
Free time
1:00 PM
Free time
2:00 PM
Free time
3:00 PM
Free time
4:00 PM
Free time
5:00 PM
Dinner
6:30 PM
Chapel
7:00 PM
Study Hall
Read more details about Hargrave Military Academy on their 2024-25 profile page.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description
Hargrave Military Academy Alumni #1
Class of 2001
5.00 3/22/2022
Virginia Military Institute
Hargrave is first and foremost, a military school. Cadets are taught military routines, discipline, and accountability. It is the cornerstone of the educational environment. Uniforms, room inspections, formations, and parades teach accountability. . .
Hargrave Military Academy Alumni #2
Class of 2022
5.00 3/16/2022
Texas A&M University
The school is unwavering when it comes to meeting their mission statement of Building Young Men into Leaders of Character Prepared for Lifelong Success. The faculty and staff are deeply invested and it is clear. . .
Hargrave Military Academy Alumni #3
Class of 2020
5.00 5/27/2020
The Citadel
This school is huge in developing personal growth. The faculty and staff are all involved and together, make a positive impact on each you man. Through perseverance, focus, encouragement, guidance, leadership, humility and patience. . .
Show more reviews (3 reviews)

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 195 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $45,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $17,850
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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