Iolani School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $110.8 million
- Spending
- $101.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 13.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 68%
- Employees
- 1,328
- Volunteers
- 7,581
- Highest pay
- $960,776, head of school, ex officio
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 24 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $70.6 million spent. 'IOLANI WAS FOUNDED IN 1863 AFTER KING KAMEHAMEHA IV AND QUEEN EMMA SET OUT TO ESTABLISH AN ANGLICAN CHURCH IN HAWAII. THE SCHOOL WAS ROOTED IN THREE SMALL SCHOOLS - A LAHAINA SCHOOL ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI, ST. ALBAN'S COLLEGE AND 'IOLANI COLLEGE - FORMED DURING HAWAII'S MONARCHY DAYS.THE SCHOOL'S CAMPUS WAS ONCE LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF ST. ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL, MOVED TO NU'UANU, AND THEN FINALLY RELOCATED IN 1946 TO ITS PRESENT 25-ACRE PROPERTY. 'IOLANI WAS ORIGINALLY AN ALL-BOYS SCHOOL, BUT BECAME CO-EDUCATIONAL IN 1979.TODAY, 'IOLANI'S ENROLLMENT HAS GROWN TO APPROXIMATELY 2,300 STUDENTS, WITH ROUGHLY 1,500 IN GRADES 7 - 12. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 480 FULL-TIME FACULTY AND STAFF DEDICATED TO STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS ENROLLED IN GRADES K - 12. ROUGHLY 850 PART-TIME OR SEASONAL TEACHERS, AIDES, COACHES, AND STAFF SUPPLEMENT THE SCHOOL'S EXPANSIVE AFTER-SCHOOL, SUMMER, PERFORMING ARTS, ATHLETIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS. THE SCHOOL'S FACULTY IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND COMMITTED TO THEIR STUDENTS WITH RELATIONAL TEACHING A HIGH PRIORITY. TEACHERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND CONFERENCES EITHER LOCALLY OR NATIONALLY TO STAY ABREAST OF CURRENT AND EFFECTIVE PEDAGOGIES.'IOLANI UPHOLDS HIGH STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND IS CONSIDERED AMONGST THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERS IN HAWAII AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE SCHOOL MAINTAINS A HEALTHY FINANCIAL PORTFOLIO AND ATTEMPTS TO KEEP TUITION AS LOW AS POSSIBLE. TUITION COVERS APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE COST OF EDUCATING A CHILD WITH INVESTMENT EARNINGS FROM THE SCHOOL'S ENDOWMENT AND FUNDRAISING COVERING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUITION AND THE ACTUAL COST.'IOLANI SCHOOL IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL, YET SERVES THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS BEING A RESOURCE FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. THE SCHOOL IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING MORE GLOBAL, AS STUDENTS ARE CONNECTED BY TECHNOLOGY TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.IN THE SUMMER OF 2019, THE SCHOOL'S KA'I PROGRAM CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SERVING UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH IN NEARBY PALOLO VALLEY. THIS PROGRAM BEGAN AS A SUMMER PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING JARRETT MIDDLE SCHOOL, A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN PALOLO. KA'I NOW INCLUDES A SUMMER DAY CARE PROGRAM, AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR, AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION SUPPORT.IN 2019, 'IOLANI RECEIVED A PRESTIGIOUS EE FORD FOUNDATION EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANT FOR ITS AINA-INFORMATICS NETWORK PROGRAM WHICH AIMS TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO TEACH GENOME SCIENCE.IN THE FALL OF 2013, THE SCHOOL OPENED THE SULLIVAN CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP, A FOUR-STORY, 40,000 SQUARE FOOT GREEN DESIGNED BUILDING OFFERING COLLABORATIVE LEARNING SPACES WHERE STUDENTS LEARN TO BE EFFECTIVE LEADERS THROUGH COURSES EMPHASIZING EMPATHY, INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND REAL-WORLD PROBLEM SOLVING. THE BUILDING INCLUDES A FABRICATION LAB AND MAKER SPACES, A LIBRARY WITH COLLABORATION ROOMS, FLEXIBLE OPEN LEARNING SPACES, A WET LAB, A MEDIA CENTER, A SEMINAR ROOM, AND A ROOFTOP GARDEN. THE CENTER IS ALSO A COMMUNITY RESOURCE FOR VARIOUS LOCAL AND NATIONAL GROUPS.2013-14 WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE I-DEPARTMENT, WHICH PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH ELECTIVES AKIN TO COLLEGE-LEVEL COURSES THAT INSPIRE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THESE CLASSES INCLUDE DESIGN AND FABRICATION, IPAD APP DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, APPLIED RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS, ROBOTICS, THE ONE-MILE CLASS, AND VIDEO GAME DESIGN. IN ADDITION, THE SCHOOL MAINTAINS OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC PROGRAMS IN ENGLISH, WORLD LANGUAGES (CHINESE, JAPANESE, SPANISH, FRENCH, LATIN, HAWAIIAN, AND KOREAN), HEALTH EDUCATION, HISTORY, MATHEMATICS, PERFORMING ARTS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RELIGION, SCIENCE AND ATHLETICS. THERE IS AN ACTIVE STUDENT ACTIVITIES OFFICE AND EACH APRIL, 'IOLANI HOLDS A TWO-DAY COMMUNITY FAIR PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT STUDENT TRAVEL INITIATIVES.A RESIDENTIAL HALL AND BOARDING PROGRAM, WITH A CAPACITY FOR 112 STUDENTS, OPENED IN THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR. THE SCHOOL ALSO OPENED A NEW K - 1 COMMUNITY FEATURING LARGE, OPEN CLASSROOMS AND A NATURAL PLAYGROUND THAT ENCOURAGES IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY IN THE SUMMER OF 2019. IN THE SUMMER OF 2020, THE SCHOOL OPENED TWO NEW BUILDINGS IN ITS LOWER SCHOOL, INCLUDING EXPANDED LEARNING SPACES FOR SCIENCE, RELIGION, READING, TECHNOLOGY, DANCE, AND MUSIC.STUDENT TRAVEL IS A LARGE PART OF THE 'IOLANI EXPERIENCE AS WELL, PROVIDING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING GLOBAL CITIZENS. 'IOLANI STUDENTS ARE SEEN AS LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND ARE DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE. STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE STATE AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION IN COMPETITIONS SUCH AS MATH LEAGUE, SPEECH AND DEBATE, ROBOTICS, MUSIC, ART. NINETY-NINE PERCENT OF SENIORS ATTEND COLLEGE.DURING THE SUMMER, STUDENTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD ENROLL IN CLASSES. 'IOLANI OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE SUMMER AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM WITH REINFORCEMENT, ENRICHMENT, ELECTIVE AND CREDIT COURSES.'IOLANI SCHOOL IS ACCREDITED BY THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, AND LICENSED BY THE HAWAII COUNCIL OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
- $7.0 million spent. 'IOLANI OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE SUMMER AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM WITH REINFORCEMENT, ENRICHMENT, ELECTIVE AND CREDIT COURSES. THESE COURSES ARE OPEN TO STUDENTS FROM ALL SCHOOLS AND ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE REGISTRATION BASIS. MORE THAN 2,500 STUDENTS ENROLL EACH YEAR IN 'IOLANI'S SUMMER AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDE OFFERINGS IN THE FOLLOWING FIELDS: DANCE, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART, MATH, READING, ROBOTICS, VIDEO GAME DESIGN, SAT PREPARATION, AND OTHERS. MANY STUDENTS COME FROM THE U.S. MAINLAND AND ASIA TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN 'IOLANI'S SUMMER PROGRAMS, WHICH UTILIZES TEACHERS WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY 'IOLANI, OTHER INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN ADDITION, THE KA'I PROGRAM IS A SUMMER MENTORING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN 'IOLANI AND JARRETT MIDDLE SCHOOL, A NEIGHBORING PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT AT 'IOLANI OFFERS ORCHESTRA, DANCE (HULA, BALLET, JAZZ), STAGE BAND, MARCHING BAND, JAZZ BAND, THEATER, MUSICAL THEATER, AND CHOIR. THESE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES SHOWCASE THEIR STUDENTS' ABILITIES THROUGH PERFORMANCES HELD EITHER ON CAMPUS OR AT THEATERS AND OTHER VENUES IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE GROUPS ALSO TRAVEL TO THE MAINLAND AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO PERFORM. A FALL PLAY AND SPRING MUSICAL ARE PRESENTED EACH YEAR AND AUDITIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN UPPER SCHOOL AND, IF REQUIRED BY THE PRODUCTION, THE LOWER SCHOOL. GUEST ARTISTS/TEACHERS VISIT THE SCHOOL THROUGH SPONSORSHIP UNDER THE TAM & YOUNG ARTS CHAIR.
- $3.6 million spent. 'IOLANI IS A MEMBER OF THE INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU (ILH). ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO FULFILL ALL ATHLETIC REQUIREMENTS, TO DISPLAY GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, AND TO FOLLOW THE PROGRAM SET FORTH BY COACHES AND THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT. THERE ARE OVER 20 VARSITY SPORTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, AS WELL AS MANY SPORTS IN THE JUNIOR VARSITY AND INTERMEDIATE GRADE LEVELS.FOR THE LOWER GRADE LEVELS, 'IOLANI PARTICIPATES IN THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS ATHLETIC LEAGUE FOR BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL. THERE ARE ALSO OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTRAMURAL SPORTS.THE CAMPUS HOSTS NUMEROUS ATHLETIC TOURNAMENTS AND SPORTING GAMES, WHICH SCHOOLS AND TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD PARTICIPATE IN. SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW THE SCHOOL SHARES ITS RESOURCES INCLUDE: THE 'IOLANI CLASSIC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, STATE FORENSICS TOURNAMENT, 'IOLANI INVITATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY MEET, HAWAII EDUCATIONAL SUMMIT, AND MANY MORE.
- $3.9 million spent. COLLEGE COUNSELING
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1942.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
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