Iolani School - About Admission

Here are some "Frequently Asked Questions" about admission to `Iolani. If you have additional questions, check the topics listed on the left or contact us.

How many students are admitted to each grade?

New students are admitted at kindergarten, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Depending on the total school enrollment, a limited number of students are admitted to grades 10 - 12.

Grade	Number of New Students	Application Deadline
Kindergarten	70	October 30
6th Grade	50	December 1
7th Grade	50	December 1
8th Grade	15	December 1
9th Grade	50	December 1
10th - 12th Grades	Limited	December 1

2.	How many applications do you receive?
	The number varies from year to year, but we usually receive five to six applications for each opening.

How are students selected for admission?

We are looking for bright and active students who have the ability and potential to be successful and happy at `Iolani. We also are looking for well-rounded students who will contribute to the life of the school.

When selecting kindergarten students we consider:

information on the application
preschool progress reports and teacher comments
test results
evaluator observations

For students entering grades 6 - 12, we consider:

information on the application
academic record, essay and test scores
teachers' recommendations
mentors' recommendations
character, work ethic and leadership qualities
information gathered during the interview or activity session

How are candidates evaluated?

Kindergarten candidates come to `Iolani's campus on two occasions: once for an individually administered aptitude test, and a second time for a group readiness session. The evaluation covers perceptual-motor skills, language abilities, cognitive abilities, self-concept, and social-emotional development.

Candidates applying to grades 6 - 11 take the Secondary School Aptitude Test (SSAT), participate in a group activity session or interview conducted by an `Iolani faculty member, and write an essay.

Those applying to grade 12 submit PSAT, SAT or ACT scores, participate in an interview and write an essay. They must also be able to satisfy `Iolani's graduation requirements within one year.

5.	Who makes the admission decisions?
	Five admission committees made up of `Iolani teachers, administrators and counselors are responsible for admission decisions. There are separate committees for kindergarten, grade 6, grade 7, grades 8 - 12, and for ESL.

How much weight does the Admission Committee give to SSAT scores?

SSAT scores are only one part of a student's admission folder, and no part is weighted. Since we accept students from many public and private elementary and middle schools, SSAT scores provide a standardized measure of comparison for the Admission Committee. There is no cut-off score for admission, and a broad range of scores exist in the upper grades. Since admission is competitive, students who perform well on the SSAT have some advantage.

7.	Are any candidates given priority?
	Yes. Siblings of current `Iolani students and children of faculty and alumni are given preference when all other factors are equal. However, we encourage `Iolani related families to apply to other schools. With increased competitiveness at every grade level, admission is not guaranteed.

8.	Does `Iolani have an ESL program?
	We have ESL with approximately 16 -18 students in the program. We accept new ESL students in kindergarten and in grades 6 - 8, and all candidates must be available to test at `Iolani. Those applying for grades 6 - 8 must also take the Secondary School Admission Test. `Iolani has no boarding facilities, and all ESL students must live with at least one parent on Oahu.

Are there age requirements for admission?

Kindergarten is the only grade level with age requirements. Boys must turn five by June 30 of the year they enter kindergarten. Girls must turn five by September 30 of that year. Children whose birthdays fall close to the cut-off dates may be allowed to reapply the following year.

Grades 6 - 12 do not follow the kindergarten age guidelines. In general, if a student has completed a particular grade, he/she is eligible to apply for the next grade. In rare circumstances, the Admission Committee will recommend that a candidate repeat a grade because of age.

10.	What happens if my application is late?
	Late applications for grades 6 - 12 only are considered on a rolling basis depending on space availability. Please contact us directly at (808) 943-2222 if you miss the December 1 deadline.

11.	Is summer school a requirement for all new students?
	A few students are required to attend `Iolani Summer School before we make a final admission decision. More often, we recommend summer school to give new students the opportunity to enhance specific skills and to meet other `Iolani students. Attending summer school often eases the transition into a new school.

12.

When will we receive the admission decision?

If you meet all the deadlines, you can expect to receive a decision letter from us according to the following timetable:

Kindergarten: Decision letters sent by April 25
Response date is May 10

Grades 6 – 12: Decision letters sent by March 30
Response date is April 15

13.	Does `Iolani have a waiting list?
	We create a waiting list when we have more qualified candidates than we have openings. We do not offer a space on the list to anyone who has not completed the admission process. The waiting list is not rank ordered, and we keep it active until August 15. From year to year and grade to grade, the number of candidates on the list varies.