Frequently Asked Questions

Tradewinds is designed for gifted and profoundly gifted children in grades 1–5 who need more than traditional education can offer. We serve scholars who are intellectually curious, deeply motivated, and ready for challenges that match their abilities. Our focus is on grades 1–5 for our Fall 2026 launch in Honolulu.

In Fall 2026, Tradewinds serves grades 1–5. We intend to grow Tradewinds to support our inaugural scholars through the middle school years. In the event that families need to apply elsewhere for 6th grade, we'll notify them in Fall 2026 with adequate notice to prepare applications.

Gifted children don't need more work—they need different work. Tradewinds personalizes core reading and math curriculum individually, so each scholar learns at the pace their mind demands. Adaptive technology, facilitated by skilled teachers, makes this possible. This also allows flexibility for project-based approaches to science, social studies, and more. Social-emotional support is woven throughout every day to help scholars navigate the unique challenges of being gifted.

Our adaptive learning technology adapts to each scholar's abilities, allowing them to soar as high as their mastery can take them. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all curriculum, scholars progress through material at their own pace, with technology helping to identify gaps, suggest challenges, and provide immediate feedback. .

Project-based learning is a teaching approach where scholars gain deep knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and questions. For gifted children, this provides a high ceiling—there's no limit to how far they can take their learning. Instead of being constrained by grade-level expectations, they can dive deeply into complex topics, make connections across disciplines, and develop critical thinking skills that match their intellectual abilities. Projects give them the space to pursue their intense interests while building skills in research, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Gifted children often experience asynchronous development—their intellectual abilities may far exceed their social or emotional development. We provide dedicated social-emotional curriculum to help scholars navigate perfectionism, intensity, and the unique challenges of thinking differently. Being among a cohort of intellectual peers who understand what it's like is a crucial part of the experience.

Tuition is $36,000 per year. This reflects what uncompromising gifted education requires: extraordinary teacher-to-scholar ratios, nationally recognized leadership, and instructional tools curated to the highest standards. Families choosing Tradewinds are investing in an education that places their children on a trajectory other local schools cannot provide. We are unable to offer financial aid at this time but will communicate if that changes.

We're in active conversations about facility options in Honolulu. Our campus will be located somewhere between Nuʻuanu and Hawaiʻi Kai. We'll share specific location details with interested families as soon as it's finalized. Our focus is on finding a space that supports both academic excellence and hands-on project-based learning.

Our mascot is the mōlī, the Hawaiian name for the Laysan albatross. These remarkable seabirds embody the spirit we cultivate in our scholars. Mōlī are known for their incredible intelligence and problem-solving abilities, their lifelong commitment to learning and adaptation, and their ability to soar vast distances across the Pacific Ocean. Like the mōlī that rides the trade winds across thousands of miles of ocean, we want our scholars to harness their natural gifts and ride the currents of their curiosity to explore the world. The mōlī also represents resilience and deep connection to Hawaiʻi's natural environment—values that are central to our school's mission.

Applicants submit the results of a standardized cognitive assessment administered in 2023 or later. These assessments, which include WPPSI, WISC-V or Stanford-Binet, are administered by clinical psychologists. A score of 130+ generally indicates giftedness. Reach out with questions about how to access testing.

We offer a standard school schedule and school year, comparable to those of top private schools and to the Hawaiʻi DOE.

We don't have anything to share about this yet. We'll share more updates as the year unfolds.

We're accepting applications for Fall 2026 on a rolling basis. Visit our admissions page to learn more about the application process, tuition details, and timeline. You can also join our interest list to stay updated on our progress.

We are in the process of applying for official recognition with the Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools. While we're not yet an official applicant school, we're working through the necessary steps and welcome your interest. We're happy to keep you updated on our progress throughout this process.