Top 10 Public High Schools in Hawaii

Direct Answer

The Best Overall public high school in Hawaii is Mililani High School on Oahu, where roughly 2,400 students in central Oahu post some of the state's strongest combined academic and outcomes data — a graduation rate above 90%, a deep AP and academy program, and a long record of National Merit recognition.

The Best Value pick is Kapolei High School, a newer, fast-growing West Oahu campus that delivers career-academy pathways, solid graduation outcomes, and modern facilities while serving a far more economically diverse community than the established east-side schools. This list is built for families and students weighing neighborhoods and campuses across Oahu and Hawaii Island (the Big Island).

Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from the Hawaii State Department of Education, the College Board, and national ranking services.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each high school against the factors Hawaii families consistently say matter most when choosing a neighborhood or campus. We drew on published figures from the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) Strive HI report cards, U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the College Board, and NCES. The weighting:

• Academic performance (test proficiency, SAT/ACT) — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost (outcomes per dollar, access) — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment and safety — 15%
• Extracurriculars and fit — 10%

Because Hawaii runs a single statewide public district, funding differences between campuses are smaller than on the mainland, so program depth, academy pathways, and outcomes carry extra weight. A school with high proficiency but few academy or AP paths drops in the ranking. The winners balance all six factors.

1. Mililani High School 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting Hawaii's strongest all-around public program

Mililani High School, in Mililani (Central Oahu), is one of Hawaii's largest and most decorated public schools, enrolling roughly 2,400 students. It posts a graduation rate above 90% and consistently strong state assessment proficiency, with a broad Advanced Placement catalog and well-developed career academies in business, STEM, and the arts.

Mililani is regularly the state leader in National Merit recognition and robotics, and its student-teacher ratio sits near 16:1. Graduates head to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, mainland universities, and the service academies. A large, well-organized program and a strong academic culture make it the most complete public option in the state.

Pros:

• Graduation rate above 90% with strong state proficiency
• Deep AP catalog and well-built career academies
• Consistent National Merit and robotics recognition
• Large program supports broad electives and pathways

Cons:

• Large enrollment can feel less personal
• Central Oahu housing demand drives up local cost

Verdict: Mililani wins on balance — strong outcomes, deep academies, and a proven record few Hawaii publics match.

2. Moanalua High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting top academics in urban Honolulu

Moanalua High School, in Honolulu (Oahu), enrolls roughly 2,000 students and is a perennial leader in Hawaii rankings. It posts a graduation rate around 90% and strong state assessment proficiency, with a respected AP program and standout performing arts — its symphony and choral programs are among the best in the islands.

The student-teacher ratio is near 16:1. Moanalua's academic team and music ensembles regularly earn state and national recognition, and graduates enroll at UH Manoa, mainland universities, and competitive programs. For families in the Honolulu corridor wanting elite academics and arts, Moanalua stands out.

Pros:

• Graduation rate around 90% with strong proficiency
• Respected AP program and award-winning music
• Strong academic-team and competition record
• Central Honolulu location with broad access

Cons:

• Large urban enrollment can feel crowded
• Competitive culture is intense for some students

Verdict: A superb urban standout — top academics paired with some of the state's best performing arts.

3. Kalani High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: East Honolulu families wanting strong academics and academies

Kalani High School, in East Honolulu (Oahu), enrolls about 1,300 students and serves the Kahala and Aina Haina communities. It posts a graduation rate near 90% and solid state proficiency, with a well-regarded health and culinary academy alongside a strong AP catalog.

The student-teacher ratio is around 15:1. Kalani's smaller size relative to Mililani and Moanalua allows a tighter community feel, and graduates head to UH Manoa, mainland colleges, and career pathways tied to its academies. For East Honolulu families, Kalani blends strong academics with practical career programs.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 90%
• Strong health and culinary academies
• Solid AP catalog at a mid-size school
• Tight community feel in East Honolulu

Cons:

• East Honolulu cost of living is high
• Smaller AP catalog than the largest schools

Verdict: A strong East Honolulu pick — solid academics with standout career academies.

4. Henry J. Kaiser High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Hawaii Kai families wanting a strong, scenic campus

Henry J. Kaiser High School, in Hawaii Kai (East Oahu), enrolls roughly 1,000 students and serves one of Honolulu's most desirable residential areas. It posts a graduation rate near 90% and strong state proficiency, with a solid AP program and well-regarded marine science and athletics offerings tied to its coastal setting.

The student-teacher ratio is around 15:1. Kaiser's smaller enrollment supports a close-knit culture, and graduates enroll at UH Manoa, mainland universities, and competitive programs. For Hawaii Kai families, Kaiser pairs strong outcomes with a scenic, community-oriented campus.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 90% with strong proficiency
• Solid AP program at a smaller school
• Distinctive marine science offerings
• Close-knit Hawaii Kai community

Cons:

• Hawaii Kai housing is among Oahu's priciest
• Smaller course catalog than large central schools

Verdict: A scenic, community-focused standout — strong academics in one of Oahu's top neighborhoods.

5. President Theodore Roosevelt High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Honolulu families wanting a historic campus with strong academics

President Theodore Roosevelt High School, in Honolulu (Oahu), enrolls about 1,200 students and is one of the state's most historic public campuses near downtown. It posts a graduation rate near 88–90% and solid state proficiency, with a strong AP program and a well-regarded JROTC and academic-team tradition.

The student-teacher ratio is around 15:1. Roosevelt draws students from across the urban core, and graduates head to UH Manoa, mainland colleges, and the service academies. For Honolulu families wanting a storied campus with strong academics, Roosevelt is a compelling option.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 88–90%
• Strong AP program and academic-team tradition
• Respected JROTC and leadership programs
• Central, historic Honolulu location

Cons:

• Older facilities than newer west-side campuses
• Urban setting means a larger, busier environment

Verdict: A historic standout — strong academics and leadership programs in the heart of Honolulu.

6. Kapolei High School 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: West Oahu families wanting modern facilities and career pathways

Kapolei High School, in Kapolei (West Oahu), is the value champion of this list. As a newer, fast-growing campus in Oahu's expanding "second city," it enrolls roughly 2,000 students drawn from a far more economically diverse community than the established east-side schools.

Kapolei posts a graduation rate near 88% and offers strong career and technical academies — including health, engineering, and natural resources — alongside a solid AP catalog. The student-teacher ratio is around 16:1, and its modern facilities are among the newest in the state.

Graduates head to UH West Oahu, UH Manoa, and career pathways. For West Oahu families, Kapolei delivers strong outcomes and modern resources without an elite-neighborhood price.

Pros:

• Strong career academies in a fast-growing, diverse community
• Modern facilities among the newest in the state
• Graduation rate near 88% with solid AP access
• Best outcomes-per-dollar of any school on this list

Cons:

• Test proficiency trails the top east-side schools
• Rapid growth strains capacity and scheduling

Verdict: The value leader — modern facilities, strong academies, and real access at an affordable West Oahu price.

7. Kalaheo High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Windward Oahu families wanting strong academics and arts

Kalaheo High School, in Kailua (Windward Oahu), enrolls roughly 900 students and serves the scenic Kailua and Kaneohe areas. It posts a graduation rate near 88–90% and solid state proficiency, with a strong AP program and a respected arts and digital-media academy.

The student-teacher ratio is around 14:1. Kalaheo's smaller enrollment supports a close community and individual attention, and graduates head to UH Manoa, mainland colleges, and creative programs. For Windward families wanting strong academics with an arts focus, Kalaheo is an excellent choice.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 88–90%
• Strong AP program and digital-media academy
• Low ~14:1 student-teacher ratio
• Scenic Windward community setting

Cons:

• Smaller catalog than large central schools
• Kailua housing costs are high

Verdict: A Windward standout — strong academics and arts at a close-knit, scenic campus.

8. Pearl City High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Central Oahu families wanting a comprehensive, accessible school

Pearl City High School, in Pearl City (Central Oahu), enrolls about 1,700 students and serves a diverse central-Oahu community. It posts a graduation rate near 88% and solid state proficiency, with a broad AP catalog and well-developed career academies in business and STEM.

The student-teacher ratio is around 16:1. Pearl City's size supports a wide range of athletics, clubs, and academy pathways, and graduates head to UH Manoa, UH West Oahu, and mainland programs. For central-Oahu families wanting a large, comprehensive, and accessible school, Pearl City is a strong pick.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 88% with broad AP access
• Well-developed business and STEM academies
• Wide athletics and club offerings
• Accessible, diverse central-Oahu community

Cons:

• Test proficiency trails the top east-side schools
• Large enrollment can feel impersonal

Verdict: A comprehensive central-Oahu standout — broad pathways and strong access for families.

9. Waiakea High School (Hilo)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Big Island families wanting the top East Hawaii public school

Waiakea High School, in Hilo (Hawaii Island), enrolls roughly 1,300 students and is widely regarded as the top public school in East Hawaii. It posts a graduation rate near 90% — among the highest on the Big Island — and solid state proficiency, with a strong AP program and respected STEM and astronomy ties given Hilo's observatory community.

The student-teacher ratio is around 15:1. Graduates head to UH Hilo, UH Manoa, and mainland universities. For Big Island families wanting the strongest public option in the Hilo area, Waiakea is the clear leader.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 90%, top on the Big Island
• Strong AP program and STEM/astronomy ties
• Solid state proficiency for East Hawaii
• Top public choice in the Hilo area

Cons:

• Smaller course catalog than large Oahu schools
• Rural setting limits some extracurricular options

Verdict: The Big Island leader — the strongest public outcomes and STEM ties in East Hawaii.

10. Hilo High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Hilo families wanting a historic, comprehensive campus

Hilo High School, in Hilo (Hawaii Island), enrolls about 1,000 students and is one of Hawaii's oldest public schools, with a long community tradition. It posts a graduation rate near 86–88% and solid state proficiency, with an AP program and well-regarded JROTC, athletics, and Hawaiian-studies offerings.

The student-teacher ratio is around 15:1. Hilo High draws from the urban Hilo core, and graduates head to UH Hilo, UH Manoa, and career pathways. For Hilo families wanting a historic, comprehensive campus rounding out the state's top public options, Hilo High is a solid choice.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 86–88%
• Strong JROTC, athletics, and Hawaiian-studies programs
• Historic, community-rooted campus
• Accessible central Hilo location

Cons:

• Test proficiency trails the top Oahu schools
• Older facilities than newer campuses

Verdict: A historic Hilo standout — comprehensive programs and strong community ties round out the list.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School

• Real proficiency and graduation data — Check the HIDOE Strive HI report card for state-assessment proficiency and graduation rates, not just reputation. Mililani, Moanalua, and Waiakea lead here.
• Career academies and AP breadth — Hawaii's strongest publics organize students into career academies (health, STEM, business, arts) and offer deep AP catalogs; confirm the pathways fit your student. Kapolei, Mililani, and Pearl City excel.
• Graduation rate and college matriculation — A graduation rate near or above 90% and clear pathways to UH Manoa, UH Hilo, or mainland colleges signal strong outcomes. Most top picks here clear that bar.
• Student-teacher ratio and resources — Ratios near 15–16:1 are typical statewide; smaller schools like Kalaheo and Kaiser offer more individual attention.
• Location, cost, and commute — Because Hawaii is one statewide district, neighborhood housing cost and commute often matter more than funding differences; West Oahu and Hilo deliver more value per dollar than East Honolulu.
• Environment and fit — Visit to gauge culture, safety, and program focus; the right fit depends on whether your student wants a large comprehensive school or a smaller community campus.

What matters less than marketing implies: a single ranking number, campus age, and a neighborhood's overall wealth. In a statewide district, a school with strong academies, broad AP access, and a supportive culture serves most students better than chasing the highest single test average.

FAQ

Which is the best public high school in Hawaii? Mililani High School earns our top spot for combining a graduation rate above 90%, strong state proficiency, a deep AP catalog, well-built career academies, and a leading record in National Merit and robotics.

What is the best-value public high school in Hawaii? Kapolei High School in West Oahu offers strong career academies, modern facilities, and a graduation rate near 88% while serving a far more economically diverse community than the established east-side schools, making it the best outcomes-per-dollar pick.

Which Hawaii high schools have the strongest academics? The Oahu leaders — Mililani, Moanalua, and Kalani — post the strongest combined proficiency and outcomes, while Waiakea in Hilo leads the Big Island, based on HIDOE and College Board data.

Do I have to live in the area to attend a Hawaii public high school? Hawaii runs a single statewide district, so students are generally assigned by home address and school zone, though geographic exceptions (GE) allow some out-of-zone transfers when space permits.

Which Hawaii high schools are best for the arts? Moanalua High School is known statewide for its symphony and choral programs, while Kalaheo offers a strong digital-media and arts academy and Kalani features standout culinary and creative pathways.

Is the best public school on the Big Island as strong as Oahu's top schools? Waiakea High School in Hilo is very competitive — its graduation rate near 90% rivals the top Oahu schools, and its STEM and astronomy ties give Big Island students distinctive opportunities.

Bottom Line

For Hawaii families, Mililani High School is our Best Overall public high school — a large, well-organized central-Oahu program with a graduation rate above 90%, deep career academies, and a leading record in National Merit and robotics. Kapolei High School in West Oahu is our Best Value, delivering modern facilities, strong academies, and real access in a fast-growing, diverse community.

If your priorities lean toward urban arts, an East Honolulu campus, a Windward setting, or the top Big Island option, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Moanalua, Kalani, Kalaheo, or Waiakea instead. Choose on real report-card data, academy and AP breadth, and outcomes per dollar — not neighborhood wealth alone — and you'll land in the right school.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best High Schools in Hawaii
• Niche — Best Public High Schools in Hawaii
• GreatSchools — Hawaii high schools
• Hawaii State Department of Education — Strive HI performance reports
• College Board — SAT and AP program data
• NCES — National Center for Education Statistics school search
• Mililani High School — HIDOE
• Kapolei High School — HIDOE
• Moanalua High School — HIDOE
• Waiakea High School — HIDOE

*Public high schools in Hawaii review — best public high schools Hawaii, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for families.*