Public Schools in Metro Honolulu

Metro Honolulu spans multiple DOE school complexes, so the schools available to your family depend heavily on which neighborhood you buy in. Areas like Makiki, Manoa, Kaimuki, and Kakaʻako each feed into different school complexes with their own elementary, middle, and high school assignments.

Notable Public High Schools

  • Roosevelt High School – Serves Makiki, McCully, and parts of Manoa. One of the oldest and most well-known public high schools in Honolulu.
  • McKinley High School – Located near downtown Honolulu, serving Kakaʻako and surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Kaimuki High School – Serves the Kaimuki, Palolo, and St. Louis Heights areas.

Notable Elementary Schools

  • Noelani Elementary – In upper Manoa, regarded as one of the stronger public elementary schools in the Honolulu district.
  • Manoa Elementary – Serves the Manoa Valley neighborhood.
  • Ala Wai Elementary – Near the Ala Wai Canal area, serving parts of McCully and lower Makiki.

Private School Options

Metro Honolulu has the largest concentration of private schools on Oahu. Notable options include Punahou School, ʻIolani School, Sacred Hearts Academy, St. Andrew’s Schools, La Pietra, and Mid-Pacific Institute. Many families in Honolulu weigh the cost of private tuition against the advantage of attending well-established private institutions within easy commuting distance.

What Families Should Know

Because metro Honolulu covers many neighborhoods and multiple school complexes, school zoning varies block by block. Always verify the DOE school assignment for your specific address before purchasing. Some of the most sought-after public school zones in Honolulu—particularly around Noelani Elementary and Roosevelt High—can influence home prices in those neighborhoods.

Need help understanding which schools serve a specific Honolulu address? Contact our team—we regularly help families navigate school zones when choosing a neighborhood.

Related: Living in Honolulu | Honolulu Property Tax Guide | Commuting in Honolulu | Parks & Recreation | Shopping & Dining