Leeward Oahu Public & Private Schools: Elementary, Middle and High Schools

Leeward Oahu, or more specifically the Waianae Coast, is home to a large number of families, many of whom have been there for generations. With that history, it should be no surprise that the schools are equally longstanding, some over 100 years old and counting.

Waianae and Makaha home shoppers have not just those public education options, but also charter and private schools available to them. Take a look below and you’ll see every institution, with all the need-to-know information plus some background to bring each Leeward school into focus.

If you’re a parent, or someone planning to be one, and looking at Leeward real estate, you should know the educational options. We’ve got them right here for you.

LEEWARD OAHU SCHOOLS

PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN LEEWARD OAHU

NANAKULI COMPLEX

Nanaikapono Elementary
89-153 Mano Avenue, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://npono.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 868
Number of Faculty: 65
Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Entirely new campus built in 2004. The on-site Nanaikapono School-Community Museum gives students cultural experiences, its presence in the school unique in all of Hawaii. Access Learning was piloted here and still continues, resulting in 1 digital device for every student (1:1) from K to 6th.

Nanakuli Elementary
89-778 Haleakala Avenue, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://nes.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 431
Number of Faculty: 28
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Students can enroll in Hawaiian Immersion track, all instruction from K to 6th done in the language. Almost every student (99%) gets a new digital device to use at school. Parents are invited to periodic Achievement Celebrations, led by students, that recognize accomplishments by the children.

WAIANAE COMPLEX

Leihoku Elementary
86-285 Leihoku Street, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://les.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 913
Number of Faculty: 60
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Strive HI Performance System has named Leihoku as a Continuous Improvement School. Campus features Hawaiian plants and beautiful grounds that has won awards.

Ma’ili Elementary
87-360 Kula’aupuni Street, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://maili.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 1,007
Number of Faculty: 61
Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Hawaiian culture and language is weaved into school’s classes and environment, including many murals. Teaching approach utilizes place-based learning, which makes connections in lessons to the students’ community and its history, as well as its future.

Makaha Elementary
84-200 Ala Naauao Place, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://makaha.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 589
Number of Faculty: 44
Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Makaha’s Hawaiiana and Environmental Studies programs give students opportunity to learn through real-world applications and solutions. Special Education students are taught alongside other students in classrooms to enable them to integrate into mainstream of school.

Waianae Elementary
85-220 McArthur Street, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://wes.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: K to 6th
Number of Students: 633
Number of Faculty: 48
Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Waianae has made technology a priority, with the school now featuring wireless internet access, 6 computer labs, Interactive Whiteboards in every class for grades 2 to 6, and both robotic and media labs. Yet history is present, too, with some of the original school buildings still here and in use, 100 years later.

PUBLIC INTERMEDIATE / MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN LEEWARD OAHU

WAIANAE COMPLEX

Waianae Intermediate School
85-626 Farrington Highway, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://wis.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: 7th & 8th
Number of Students: 884
Number of Faculty: 66
Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Small learning communities approach used, with all students assigned to a team. Teams are headed by 4 teachers, 1 each from English, Math, Science and Social Studies, who hold Intervention classes when needed to support their students’ reading & math skills.

PUBLIC MIDDLE / HIGH SCHOOLS IN LEEWARD OAHU

NANAKULI COMPLEX

Nanakuli High & Intermediate School
89-980 Nanakuli Avenue, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://nhis.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: 7th to 12th
Number of Students: 1,043
Number of Faculty: 77
Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Arts and Communication Learning Center gives students opportunities to pursue performing arts, putting on shows throughout the year (http://www.nhispac.com). School also has Career and Technology Education program, including Building/Construction, Agriculture and a Health Professions Exploration area.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN LEEWARD OAHU

WAIANAE COMPLEX

Wai’anae High School
85-251 Farrington Highway, Waianae, HI 96792
Website: http://whs.nwcomplex.org/
Grades: 9th to 12th
Number of Students: 1,789
Number of Faculty: 126
Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1
The only beachfront high school in the United States. Waianae uses the Academy system with a career area focus in each, such as Health & Human Services and Business/Industrial. Very popular is Seariders Production Academy, where students learn and create multimedia, photography and social media.

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN LEEWARD OAHU

Ka Waihona o ka Na`auao Public Charter School
89-195 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://www.kawaihonapcs.org/
Grades: K to 8th
Number of Students: 650
Number of Faculty: 42
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1
One of the first charter schools on Oahu, daily lessons and environment have strong Native Hawaiian cultural emphasis. Parents urged to be involved, including Monthly Coffee Hour presentations on their child’s curriculum and specific ways to support learning at home. Planning to add high school grades in near future.

Kamaile Academy
85-180 Ala Akau Street, Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Website: http://www.kamaile-academy.org/
Grades: Pre-K to 12th
Number of Students: 887
Number of Faculty: 55
Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Kamaile is Hawaii’s biggest conversion charter school. Native Hawaiian culture is foundation of life at Kamaile, with the arts integrated throughout curriculum. After-school activities also have Hawaiian core, offering, outrigger paddling, hula, sustainability and music.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN LEEWARD OAHU

Adventist Malama School
86-072 Farrington Highway, Waianae, HI 96792
Website: http://www.adventistmalama.org/
Grades: K to 8th
Religious Affiliation: Christian/Seventh Day Adventist
Number of Students: 67
Number of Faculty: 4
Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Tuition: $5,250
Preschool also on-site for ages 2 ½ to 5 years. Adventist Malama educates students within a Christ-centered framework. Development of oral and written communication skills are underlined to promote leadership in children.

Maili Bible School
87-138 Gilipake St., Waianae, HI 96792
Website: http://mailibible.org/
Grades: K to 12th
Religious Affiliation: Christian/Non Denominational
Number of Students: 61
Number of Faculty: 6
Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $4,300 to $5,200
School is guided by Evangelical Christian beliefs and practices with daily Bible teachings for all students. Small classes provide more individual attention from teachers if/when needed.