Punahou School

Founded in 1841 on lands given to Christian missionaries by Hawaiian ali’i (chiefs), Punahou School celebrates its legacy of two gifts: the centering focus of place, of the ‘aina, and an educational vision of pioneering missionaries. The intersection of a heritage of scholarly achievement with a reverence for place inspires a philosophy of educational reflection and renewal which thrives today. The early students were primarily missionary children, who were able to stay in Hawai‘i with their families for their education, but Punahou soon opened its doors to all the children of Hawai’i.

At the center of campus is the spring which gave the lands and the School its name: Ka Punahou, the New Spring. It is symbolic of the spirit of renewal, reminding the school community of its past while challenging each individual to strive for personal growth and discovery. Punahou is a school that values its history and the many traditions that have taken hold over its more than 175 years. It brings together the diverse community of alumni, faculty, staff and students with shared experiences even as the school continually evolves to best serve students in an ever-changing world.

Aims of a Punahou Education

• To develop the full potential of each student through a broad and vigorous program of studies characterized by high expectations; and through rich opportunities and experiences for exploration, growth, and mastery
• To develop within each Punahou student the capacity for critical and creative thought, the skills for effective written and oral communication, interpersonal collaboration, quantitative reasoning, scientific inquiry, and a global perspective. To develop qualities of curiosity, resourcefulness, persistence, and resilience – ultimately becoming a confident, self-directed, lifelong learner
• To help each Punahou student to see the interconnections between subjects; to integrate Hawaiian values and culture in ways that can extend and deepen their learning; to be able to think flexibly; to have a questioning attitude; to generate alternatives and possibilities; and to apply and adapt their learning to relevant issues and challenges
• To foster within each Punahou student, personal and social responsibility by developing empathy and compassion, and by embracing diversity at all levels, while cultivating moral reasoning that leads to moral action, personal leadership, and engaged citizenship

The academic, cultural and administrative leaders of the School and the Punahou community inspire and provide sound management as the School looks to integrate its legacy with the needs of today’s students in a rapidly changing, global environment. Punahou’s administrators are thought leaders in education who are energized by the opportunity to delve into questions about the changing nature of learning and chart an ambitious path forward. They are visionaries who lead with confidence during these dynamic times and who lead with sound judgment, making data-driven decisions with a steady hand and humble spirit. Punahou’s leadership conveys to the youngest learners and the most senior alumni the broad ambitions for the School and its commitment to helping every child find his or her path.

Every Punahou graduate remembers at least one teacher who changed his or her life. More than anything else, it is the thoughtfulness and dedication of our faculty throughout the School’s history that has inspired countless Punahou students to face the world’s challenges with leadership and vision. While diverse in experience, Punahou faculty members share a commitment to teaching and learning. Teachers are selected not only for their academic background but also for their enthusiasm and vigor in their approach to teaching and for their commitment to students.

Punahou teachers create classroom learning environments which support self-discovery and the development of the character traits and habits of mind which will prepare students to make a difference in the world. They do this while fully embracing the mindset of a lifelong learner, seeking out meaningful feedback from their peers and taking advantage of the myriad professional development opportunities made available to them by the School and other educational institutions.

A Punahou education recognizes the individuality of each child within a school culture that celebrates diversity and inspires excellence. Punahou teachers create classroom learning environments which support self-discovery and the development of the character traits and habits of mind which will prepare students to make a difference in the world.

The student experience evolves on the path from Kindergarten to grade 12 in developmentally appropriate ways. Teachers and staff collaborate to attend to children’s needs, creating intimate learning environments that help make a large school feel smaller. Throughout the school, students benefit from exceptionally diverse opportunities to learn and explore.