Every year, parents ask me some version of the same question: "What should my kid do this summer?"
The answer depends entirely on what your kid needs. A student who failed Algebra 1 needs something very different from one who wants to get ahead in math before high school. A kid who's bored needs something different from a kid who's struggling. And a family on a budget needs to know that some of the best options are actually free.
This is a curated list — not every camp on the island, just the programs worth knowing about for middle and high school students on Oahu. I've organized them by what your kid actually needs, with notes on cost, registration timing, and what to watch out for.
"My kid wants to get ahead"
Enrichment, acceleration, college credit
"My kid needs to catch up"
Credit recovery, remediation, free DOE options
"My kid wants to build something"
STEM camps, coding, robotics
"My kid needs credit but their school doesn't offer summer"
Private school + online options
"My Kid Wants to Get Ahead"
Enrichment, acceleration, college-level work. These are for students who are motivated, curious, or want to knock out a requirement early so they have more room in their schedule during the school year.
Punahou Summer School
punahou.eduThe largest summer program on the island. K–8 classes and non-credit Academy courses (arts, aquatics, music, tennis) are open to the community — you don't need to be a Punahou student. The program runs about five weeks from mid-June through mid-July on Punahou's campus.
One important distinction: Academy credit-bearing courses (grades 9–12) are for current Punahou students only. If your child isn't enrolled at Punahou, they can still take the non-credit enrichment courses, which are great for exploring new subjects without the pressure of a grade.
ʻIolani Summer Programs
iolani.org/summerʻIolani offers one of the most diverse summer catalogs on the island — everything from algebra and marine science to ceramics and robotics. Both credit and non-credit courses are available, and the program is open to ʻIolani students, the local community, and students from abroad.
Registration opens at noon HST on tiered dates (current ʻIolani families first, then community). Spots in popular courses go fast — check their summer site early to see the course catalog and registration schedule.
UH Mānoa Summer Scholar Program
outreach.hawaii.eduThis one is for high-achieving high school sophomores and juniors who want a taste of real college academics. Students take actual UH Mānoa courses alongside college students and earn transferable college credit. The program has been running for over two decades.
Requirements: 3.5 GPA and parent/guardian approval. It's a six-week commitment — not a casual summer activity. But if your child is ready, it's a meaningful head start on college and a strong addition to college applications.
"My Kid Needs to Catch Up"
Credit recovery, remediation, and getting back on track. No shame in it — this is what summer school was originally designed for, and the DOE offers solid free options that most families don't know about.
HIDOE Summer Learning
hawaiipublicschools.orgFree for all DOE students. Programs are designed at the school level and can include credit recovery, credit advancement, remediation, enrichment, and transition support. The format and availability varies by school — some run in-person, some are virtual, and not every school offers every type.
Talk to your child's school counselor to find out what's available. This should be your first stop if your kid needs to recover a credit or shore up a weak area before the next school year.
Hawaiʻi Online Courses (HOC)
HOC / E-SchoolVirtual, asynchronous credit courses for grades 9–12. Free for DOE and charter school students. Private and homeschool students can enroll too, for a fee. Courses are taught through Canvas with daily work expected. Students can take up to one credit per summer.
This fills up fast. Registration is first-come, first-served. Popular courses close within days of opening. Enroll as early as possible and have a backup plan. The final grade goes on the official DOE transcript and counts toward GPA.
Early College (DOE + UH System)
hawaiipublicschools.orgA collaboration between the DOE and the University of Hawaiʻi system. Qualifying students in grades 9–12 can take actual college courses and earn dual credit — satisfying both high school diploma requirements and college credits at the same time. Free for eligible students.
This is different from the UH Summer Scholar program (which targets high-GPA juniors). Early College is broader and designed for students who are ready for accelerated work, regardless of whether they're at the top of their class. Ask your school counselor about eligibility and available courses.
Summer is also a great time to work on foundational skills — the stuff that doesn't fit into a summer school course. If your child needs help building up their math foundations, prepping for a test, or getting organized before the next school year, grab a free intro session and we'll figure out a plan.
"My Kid Wants to Build Something"
STEM camps, coding, robotics, hands-on projects. These are for students who learn better by making things than by sitting in a classroom — and they're some of the most engaging summer options on the island.
Keiki Coders Summer Camps
keikicoders.comHands-on coding, robotics, game design, and engineering camps run at partner schools across Oahu. Week-long sessions, no prior experience required. Students build real projects — not just follow tutorials — and present their work at the end of each week. Programs are available for K–12, with age-appropriate tracks.
This is project-based learning done right. If your kid is the type who takes things apart to see how they work, or who's always on the computer anyway, this channels that energy into something productive.
Mid-Pacific Summer Programs
midpac.eduMid-Pacific runs summer programs through their Global Exchange Academy — a mix of STEM camps, arts, sports, and enrichment. Their STEM offerings include engineering, coding, robotics, and science experiments, with small group sizes and hands-on projects. Open to students from any school.
Mid-Pacific is also an IB school, so their enrichment programs tend to emphasize inquiry and problem-solving over rote learning — a good fit for curious, self-directed kids.
"My Kid Needs Credit — but Their School Doesn't Offer Summer"
Not every school runs its own summer program. If your child needs credit courses and their school isn't offering them, these are the backup options.
St. Andrew's Schools Summer
standrewsschools.orgSt. Andrew's offers both in-person (K–8) and online high school credit courses through a partnership with ASU Prep Digital — open to all high school students statewide. This is a real option if your child needs a specific credit and their school doesn't offer it during summer.
Alu Like tuition assistance may be available for qualifying Native Hawaiian students. Check with Alu Like for current funding status.
Hanalani Schools Summer
hanalani.orgHanalani offers summer courses for grades 7–12 designed for enrichment, advancement, and credit recovery. They have both on-campus courses for core academic subjects and online options. A solid alternative if you need credit and flexibility.
What I Tell Every Parent About Summer
Register early — really early
Punahou, ʻIolani, and HOC all fill up well before summer. If you're reading this in April, some spots are already gone. Check registration dates the moment you see something you like.
Free options exist — use them
HIDOE summer programs, HOC, and Early College are all free for public school students. Don't pay for credit recovery if your child's school or the DOE offers it at no cost.
Talk to the counselor first
Your child's school counselor knows which credits they need, which programs their school accepts, and which options fit. Don't register for anything without checking that the credit will actually transfer and count.
Leave room for summer
Not every week needs to be scheduled. A student who spends the entire summer in programs burns out before September. Build in downtime — your kid's brain needs it as much as the academics.
