Schools on the North Shore
There are currently five schools on the North Shore of Kaua’i – The Kilauea Christian School / Academy, The Kilauea Elementary School, The Hanalei Elementary School and Kanuikapono Public Charter School. The fifth school is currently in development and will be accepting its first students (7th and 8th grade) in the fall of 2025.
Kilauea Christian School / Academy
Widely referred to as the Kilauea Christian School, its correct name is actually the Kauai Christian Academy (KCA). KCA exists to provide an academically excellent, Christ-centered education for the families of Kaua’i. It is the only accredited PreK – 12th grade Christian school on the island of Kauai. KCA is an independent Christian school. Faculty and board members attend many different churches on island including Calvary Chapel, Kauai Christian Fellowship, Anahola Baptist Church, Amazing Grace Baptist Church, Kapaa Missionary, Kauai Baptist Church, and more.
The campus is located on a beautiful 10 acre property on the way to the scenic Kilauea Lighthouse. The Academy inspires the hearts and minds of preschoolers through 12th graders with a balance of truth and love, in a safe, nurturing environment that produces outstanding students. The School has just over 100 students.
Transportation, to and from the Kilauea Christian School, is available in the school’s 15-passenger vans. Pick-up and drop-off is currently located in Kapaa.
Kauai Christian School / Academy
4000 Kilauea Road
Kilauea
For more information visit http://www.kcaschool.org
Kilauea Elementary School
Kilauea Elementary School, also known as Kilauea School, on Kolo Rd. in Kilauea, Hawaii, on Kaua’i, is a public elementary school serving kindergarten through 6th grade. This is a historic school, known as an “English School”, was originally founded in 1882 and moved to its present location in 1922. The current school complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983; the listing included three contributing buildings on 6.5 acres.
The school is located on the beautiful North Shore of Kaua’i at:
2440 Kolo Road, Kilauea.
(808) 828-1212
For more information visit https://www.kilaueaschool.com/
Hanalei School
Hanalei School is a public K-6 school located in Hanalei. The School has around 245 students in grades Kindergarten to 6th. Active parent involvement, strong community support, dedicated teachers and staff, and great enrichment programs have combined to create a unique learning environment and a special community of learners.
Few schools have the history that Hanalei Elementary School has. It has been been part of the Kaua’i North Shore community since 1881.
5-515 Kuhio Highway
Hanalei
(808) 826-4300
For more information visit https://www.hanalei.k12.hi.us/
Kanuikapono Public Charter School
Kanuikapono Public Charter School (KPCS), located in Anahola, Kauai, is a unique educational institution that weaves Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions into its curriculum. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, KPCS emphasizes place-based learning, encouraging students to connect with their local environment, community, and heritage. With a commitment to both academic excellence and cultural preservation, KPCS provides a learning experience that goes beyond traditional classroom education. The school integrates Hawaiian language, history, and cultural practices into subjects like math, science, and the arts, fostering a deep sense of identity and stewardship for the island. Students engage in hands-on activities such as gardening, fishpond restoration, and community service projects, which instill values of responsibility, resilience, and respect for the land. Through this unique blend of academics and cultural learning, Kanuikapono equips students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in both modern and traditional contexts, while nurturing a lifelong connection to their island home.
Kanuikapono Public Charter School
4333 Kukuihale Rd,
Anahola, Kauai
For more information visit kanuikapono.org
Homeschool Now
“Homeschool Now on Kauai” is an initiative aimed at providing support, resources, and community to homeschooling families across Kauai. With the growing interest in personalized and flexible education, this program offers an alternative for families seeking to guide their children’s learning at home while incorporating Kauai’s unique environment and cultural richness. Homeschool Now connects parents with curriculum options, workshops, and learning communities that foster academic and social development outside of traditional school settings. Through shared resources, expert-led classes, and group outings, families have the chance to tailor education to their children’s needs while benefiting from a supportive network. Emphasizing community involvement and local educational experiences, Homeschool Now on Kauai helps families create an enriching, hands-on learning environment that blends academics with the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
For more information visit https://homeschoolnow.com/
Namahana Public School
North Shore schools recently underwent a major boast when The Hawai‘i State Public Charter School Commission in June 2022 granted approval for the Namahana School to be constructed. This future tuition-free public charter school for 7th grade through 12th has been the dream for many North Shore families. This fills a longstanding need for tuition-free schools beyond the sixth grade on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. Currently, all children in the region must travel to Kapa‘a Middle School or beyond to access public education following elementary school, the commission said in a release. This involves commutes that can add up to 1.5 hours each way, as well as restricting opportunities for them and their families to engage with sports and other school activities.
In 2024 an 11.3-acre property in Kilauea, located across from the post office, was acquired for $2.4 million. The site is centrally situated near local businesses and neighborhoods and adjacent to the large new affordable housing development (approximately 350 housing units) by the Country of Kauai. Honolulu-based architects Group 70 has been enlisted to draw up the plans.
KNSCF then engaged Community Engagement Specialists Kapua Chandler and Jen Luck who spent many months taking the pulse of the community through dozens of listening sessions and small community gatherings of community members and kupuna. In all, more than 200 individuals took part in the community engagement process.
Namahana School plans to welcome its first cohort of students in grades seven and eight in the fall of 2025.
