Big Island school is priciest

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

A new round of private school tuition increases is under way, with Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on the Big Island edging out Punahou as the most expensive private high school in the state.

Under a tuition increase just announced for the next school year, parents of HPA students in grades nine through 12 will have to pony up $13,650 a year, up from $12,800 this year. High school students who board at the Waimea school will pay $26,700.

HPA has about 600 students in grades kindergarten through 12.

"Basically, it's to cover expenses and to keep our faculty compensation packages competitive" at a time when top-notch teachers are in short supply, said Phyllis Kanekuni, director of public relations for HPA.

With tuition increases announced recently on O'ahu, Punahou will charge $12,050 per year for all grade levels, while Iolani tuition will increase to $10,900, according to officials at those schools.

Seabury Hall in Makawao on Maui, another of Hawai'i's pricier private schools, is planning a tuition increase next year to cover increases in insurance costs, but has not yet settled on the amount, Headmaster Joe Schmidt said.

Tuition is $12,150 at Seabury, which accepts students in grades six through 12.

Officials at Punahou and HPA both said they will be increasing the amount of financial aid available to students and their families next year.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.