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Living and learning at ‘Iolani

Aloha and thank you for your interest in the ‘Iolani School boarding program! This webpage provides a glimpse into Residential Life (ResLife) at ‘Iolani School.


A DAY AS A RESLIFE STUDENT

What does a day or weekend look like for a ResLife student?  Below is a sample schedule!  Every weekend, we offer a variety of activities on and off campus so ResLife students have options and opportunities to enjoy and explore the island and connect with their community.

Weekday Schedule

7:40 a.m.

Homeroom begins

7:40 a.m. -  3:00 p.m.

Homeroom and Classes

3:00 p.m.

Dorm opens

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Free time

6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Dinner (check-in by 6:15 pm)

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Free time or Floor Meeting

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Study hours

9:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Chores

10:00 p.m.

Check-in

10:45 p.m.

Low lights

11:00 p.m.

Lights out (9th and 10th grade)

11:00 p.m.

In-room (11th and 12th grade)

 

Weekend Schedule

8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Brunch (check-in by 11:15 am)

11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Free time or activities

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Dinner (check-in by 5:45)

6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Free time or activities

10:00 p.m.

Lobby check-in (Grades 9-11)

10:30 p.m.

Senior check-in

11:00 p.m.

On floor

11:30 p.m.

Lights out (9th and 10th grade)

11:30 p.m.

In-room (11th and 12th grade)

Weekend Activities

‘Iolani School is located in the heart of the City & County of Honolulu, so there are a myriad of activities that our ResLife Team is able to arrange and offer every weekend. We also offer weekly shuttle services to major shopping centers.

 

THE COMMUNITY

The Residential Life community at ‘Iolani School offers a nurturing and inclusive environment where students from around the globe come together to live, learn and grow. Rooted in the Hawaiian values of aloha and the school's "One Team" culture, ResLife emphasizes unity, mutual respect and collective achievement. Click the map below that highlights the many regions our ResLife students call home.

 

Community Events

A number of community dinners and events occur throughout the year. Each quarter, every floor or “House” is responsible for organizing and running a community dinner for the program. We also enjoy celebrating the holiday season with an annual ResLife Holiday Dinner and honoring our seniors with our ResLife End of Year Dinner. These dinners and events bring ResLife students, families, faculty and staff together.

House Cup

Divided by floors, each “House” participates in various events and activities throughout the year, earning points for their respective houses. These events range from academic challenges and athletic competitions to cultural celebrations and community service projects. These all culminate in a final competition known as “Color Wars” where students engage in a variety of challenges to earn points and finally have their house come out on top!

Student Leadership Program

We offer opportunities for students to give back to the community and develop their leadership skills.

Student Leaders (Grades 10-12)

Devoted to providing strong community-based engagement and mentorship, Student Leaders do the fun and important work of building strong communities on and between floors, and among all members of the ResLife community. Student Leaders provide a sense of stability, camaraderie and community on their floor, and become the link between students and ResLife staff.

109 Program (Grade 10)

An opportunity to gain some leadership experience, the 109 Program is exclusively for 10th grade students, who welcome and mentor incoming students (primarily 9th grade, some 10th grade) in their first year of boarding at ‘Iolani School. 109 Groups meet to discuss ways to adjust to boarding life, discuss ongoing community events and relevant topics, such as how to be a good roommate, effective study habits, time management and other boarding life skills. In this way, new students have an automatic peer group, along with access to experienced boarders who can help guide them throughout the year.


THE SUPPORT - THE RESLIFE TEAM

The Residential Life (ResLife) Team at ‘Iolani School is a dedicated group of educators and staff committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive and enriching environment for boarding students. Embracing the school's "One Team" culture, the team works collaboratively to ensure that each student feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to thrive academically, socially and personally. At ‘Iolani, you are known.

Support offered specifically for ResLife students:

  • House Parent Team for each floor
  • Dedicated day and evening ResLife Nursing Team, led by a Certified Nurse Practitioner
  • ResLife Academic Counselor
  • Director of Social and Emotional Health for Residential Life (clinical psychologist)
  • Evening tutors

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Located in the center of our 25-acre campus, the five-story Residence Hall, welcomes students in grades 9-12.
 

The Dorm

  • First floor:

    • Lobby

    • Laundry

    • Meeting rooms

    • Kitchen

    • ResLife Wellness Clinic
       

  • Second-fifth floors:

    • Student rooms with shared Study Room

    • Bathroom

    • Common area
       

  • Reliable WiFi and air conditioning

The Floors

  • One Associate Director of Residential Life

  • Four House Parents (‘Iolani faculty or staff of mixed genders)

  • Each floor has students in grades 9-12

  • Students are placed according to gender and grade level

  • Shared Study Room, bathroom and common area

  • Each student floor is also supported by ResLife Student Leaders, who select a theme for the floor, coordinate and organize various activities, work in collaboration with our ResLife team and support our students during their time at ‘Iolani.

The Rooms

  • Our student rooms are designed for two students per room

  • Each room has air conditioning with a thermostat inside the room

  • Furniture included in each room: two desks, two dressers, two beds, two chairs and two closets

RESLIFE STUDENT VOICES

Jade Jackson '25

Allison Park '27

‘Iolani School Podcasts with Residential Life Students

Miley Cox '25

Miley joined us from the neighbor island of Kaua‘i and contributed to ‘Iolani School in many ways. Besides being an award-winning artist, she served as a Student Leader and was an active member of our ResLife Community. Miley is currently attending the Savannah College of Arts and Design.

Andrew Park '22

Andrew joined us from Seoul, South Korea, and was a member of our school’s first cohort of boarding students since 1959. He graduated as one of the Class of 2022 valedictorians and was a member of the ‘Iolani School's Robotics Team. He currently attends Stanford University.

Minh Ngo '21

Minh joined us from Hanoi, Vietnam, as a member of our first cohort of boarding students since 1959. Passionate about theater and film, he held pivotal roles with the ‘Iolani Dramatic Players as director, actor and playwright. He attends the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP


CONTACT US

Andrea Chang '04
Associate Director of Residential Admission
(808) 943-2291
andreachang@iolani.org

Laurie Lee
Residential Admission Administrative Assistant
(808) 943-2379 llee@iolani.org

‘Iolani School
Office of Admission
563 Kamoku Street
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96826

(808) 943-2379
boarding@iolani.orgwww.iolani.org/admission/boarding