The goal of Hawaii Preparatory Academy's Upper School is to prepare students for college. The school emphasizes academics and study skills. Students must take five academic courses each semester, one from each major department, until departmental graduation requirements are met. The typical minimum schedule includes English, mathematics, science, history and a modern language.
Elective courses are available in all areas of the curriculum.
The student body at HPA is comprised of boarders who come from all around the world and day students from the island of Hawaii. Your classmates and friends will likely include people from such far-flung places are Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, Europe, Alaska, California, Massachusetts, and the Hawaiian Islands. All have been chosen as young people of good character with sound scholastic potential and the ability and desire to express their individuality through academic, artistic, or athletic pursuits. HPA offers each the chance to excel in his or her area of interest and encourages every student to participate in the life of the campus and the world beyond its gates. Annual Song Contest was held on April 29th in Castle Gymnasium.