Public Schools in Waipahu

Waipahu is served by the Waipahu school complex within the Hawaii Department of Education system. The complex provides a full K–12 public school pathway, and the area has seen ongoing investment in school facilities over the years.

Elementary Schools

  • Waipahu Elementary – One of the original schools in the area, serving central Waipahu.
  • August Ahrens Elementary – Located near the Waipahu Town Center area.
  • Honowai Elementary – Serves the Honowai neighborhood on the west side of Waipahu.
  • Kaleiopuu Elementary – Serves families in the Waikele and upper Waipahu areas.

Middle School

  • Waipahu Intermediate School – The primary middle school for the Waipahu complex, serving grades 7–8.

High School

  • Waipahu High School – The main public high school for the area. Waipahu High has invested in career and technical education (CTE) programs and offers a range of extracurricular activities. The school has an active community around athletics and performing arts.

Private and Charter School Options

Waipahu itself does not have many private schools within its boundaries, but families have access to private options in nearby Pearl City, Aiea, and along the H-1 corridor toward Honolulu. Some families also consider charter schools depending on availability.

What Families Should Know

School zoning is set by the Hawaii DOE based on your home address. If you are buying in Waipahu, verify which elementary school zone your target property falls in—boundaries can differ between subdivisions that appear close together. The Waipahu complex feeds into a single high school, so the main variable for families is the elementary school assignment.

Waipahu’s schools have seen improvements in recent years, and the area’s affordability means families can often purchase a home and still have budget to supplement education with tutoring or enrichment programs if desired.

Questions about schools near a specific Waipahu property? Contact our team—we help families match neighborhoods to school priorities.

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