The Best Private Schools in Mountain View, Hawaii
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Mountain View. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus is a highly prestigious private school located just minutes from Mountain View in Keaau. Serving students from preschool through high school, this institution combines rigorous college preparatory academics with deep Hawaiian cultural education. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains exceptional academic standards while emphasizing character development and cultural preservation. The school's extensive extracurricular programs include Hawaiian arts, music, athletics, and community service initiatives.
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St. Joseph School - Hilo
Catholic Diocese of Honolulu
Located approximately 15 minutes from Mountain View in Hilo, St. Joseph School has been serving Big Island families for generations. This Catholic private school offers education from elementary through high school with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and moral development. The school features modern classrooms, science labs, a chapel, and athletic facilities. The curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive sports teams. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high due to the school's nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and strong community involvement. The school provides transportation options for students from surrounding areas including Mountain View.
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Makua Lani Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
Makua Lani Christian Academy is a highly respected private school serving the entire Big Island region, including Mountain View families. Located in Kailua-Kona, this Christian school offers comprehensive education from preschool through high school with a strong college preparatory focus. The school is known for its excellent STEM programs, outdoor education utilizing Hawaii's natural environment, and strong arts curriculum. Facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, athletic fields, and performance spaces. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement. Many families from the Mountain View area choose this school for its balanced approach to education and strong community values.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Mountain View, Hawaii
What are the primary private school options available for families living in Mountain View, Hawaii, and what are their educational philosophies?
Mountain View, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is primarily served by a few notable private schools in the surrounding Hilo and Kona areas. The most prominent is the Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus in Kea'au, which is a Native Hawaiian institution offering a college-preparatory education with a strong emphasis on Hawaiian culture, language, and values; admission preference is given to children of Hawaiian ancestry. Other options include St. Joseph School in Hilo, a Catholic school offering a faith-based education from preschool through 8th grade, and Makua Lani Christian Academy in Kailua-Kona, which provides a nondenominational Christian education. Due to the rural nature of Mountain View, families should be prepared for commutes to these campuses, making transportation a key consideration.
How does the cost of private school tuition in the Mountain View, HI, area compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are unique to Hawaii?
Tuition for private schools near Mountain View varies significantly. Kamehameha Schools operates on a sliding-scale tuition model based on family income for admitted students of Hawaiian ancestry, making it uniquely affordable for that community. For other schools, such as St. Joseph or Makua Lani, annual tuition typically ranges from approximately $8,000 to $15,000 for elementary and middle grades, which is generally in line with or slightly below the state average for private schools. A critical financial consideration in Hawaii is the high cost of living; many schools offer need-based financial aid and sibling discounts. Additionally, Hawaii does not have a state-sponsored tuition tax credit or voucher program, so parents should inquire directly with each school about their specific aid packages and any local scholarship funds, such as those from Hawaiian civic clubs or community foundations.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Mountain View offer that leverage the Big Island's environment and culture?
Private schools in the Mountain View region excel in integrating the unique Hawaiian environment into their curricula. Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus is renowned for its 'āina (land)-based learning, with programs in sustainable Hawaiian agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental science. Many schools, including Makua Lani, emphasize outdoor education, with field studies in volcanology, marine biology, and rainforest ecology. Cultural programs in Hawaiian language (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi), hula, chant, and traditional arts are a cornerstone, particularly at Kamehameha. This focus provides students with a deeply contextualized education that connects classroom learning to the rich natural and cultural landscape of the Big Island.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Mountain View, Hawaii, and are there important local deadlines?
Enrollment timelines for private schools on the Big Island often begin almost a year in advance. For the most sought-after schools like Kamehameha Schools, the application deadline for the following academic year is typically in early December, with testing and interviews occurring in the winter. St. Joseph School and Makua Lani Christian Academy generally have rolling admissions but encourage applications by January or February for the best chance of placement. A key local factor is that many families apply to multiple schools due to limited seats. It is highly recommended to attend open houses or schedule campus tours, which are usually held in the fall. Given Mountain View's location, planning for potential commute times should be part of the enrollment decision process.
For families in Mountain View, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public schools and the available private school options?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. Mountain View is zoned for the Hawaii Department of Education's public schools, which are tuition-free but may have larger class sizes and fewer resources per student than private institutions. Private schools offer smaller, more personalized learning environments and distinct missions—whether cultural (Kamehameha), religious (St. Joseph, Makua Lani), or a combination. A major practical consideration is commute: attending a private school will almost certainly involve a significant daily drive to Hilo, Kea'au, or Kona. Families must weigh the benefits of specialized programs and community against commute time, tuition costs, and the strong sense of 'ohana (family) often found in local public schools.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Schools in Mountain View, Hawaii: A Parent's Guide
For families in Mountain View, Hawaii, the search for the best private schools is deeply intertwined with the unique character of our community and the Big Island itself. Nestled between the slopes of Mauna Loa and the lush Puna district, parents here often seek educational environments that not only provide academic rigor but also foster a strong connection to Hawaiian culture, ‘āina (land), and community values. The concept of the "best private schools" in Mountain View extends beyond test scores to include how well a school nurtures the whole child within our distinctive island context.
Several institutions stand out for their commitment to these principles, each offering a different pathway. Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus, though with admissions preference given to those of Hawaiian ancestry, is a cornerstone of educational excellence deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture. Its curriculum integrates language, history, and stewardship, offering an unparalleled opportunity for cultural immersion and identity-based learning. For many local families, this cultural foundation is a non-negotiable aspect of what makes a school truly exceptional. Meanwhile, St. Joseph School in nearby Hilo provides a long-standing tradition of Catholic education, emphasizing moral development, service, and a structured academic program. Its community is tight-knit, and for parents seeking a faith-based education with a proven track record on the east side of the island, it remains a compelling choice.
Closer to home, Makua Lani Christian Academy offers a Protestant Christian perspective, focusing on integrating biblical principles with a comprehensive academic curriculum. For families in Mountain View and the surrounding Puna area, its location provides a convenient option that balances strong academics with a close community feel and an emphasis on character development. When evaluating the best private schools for your child, consider the daily logistics. Mountain View’s location means commuting to Hilo or Kona schools is a significant factor, impacting family time and a child’s schedule. Visiting campuses is crucial; feel the ‘ohana spirit, ask about how local culture and environmental science are woven into daily lessons, and observe how students interact.
Ultimately, the best private school in Mountain View, Hawaii, is the one that aligns with your family’s values and your child’s individual needs. It’s about finding a place where they can thrive academically while developing a strong sense of self and place. Whether the priority is deep cultural connection, a specific faith tradition, or a particular educational philosophy, the private schools serving our area provide rich and diverse options. Take the time to engage with each community, ask detailed questions about their approach to island-specific learning, and trust your instincts about where your child will be inspired to grow, not just as a student, but as a conscientious young person of Hawaiʻi.