FAQ | Tradewinds School

Who is Tradewinds School for?

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.

Will Tradewinds offer a middle school?

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.

What makes Tradewinds different from traditional schools?

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.

How does Tradewinds personalize core curriculum for each scholar's level?

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. .

What is project-based learning and why is it important for gifted kids?

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.

What about social-emotional learning?

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.

Is Tradewinds a 2e school?

The short answer is no, but sometimes. Tradewinds is a school for gifted and highly gifted learners, and with giftedness often come certain predictable and manageable challenges. For example, we fully expect to serve students who may present with mild ADHD, less impactful traits consistent with Level 1 autism, perfectionism, or mild anxiety. These characteristics are common within gifted populations and are thoughtfully supported within our instructional design, classroom structures, and social-emotional approach.

At the same time, Tradewinds is not designed as a therapeutic or clinical 2e program. We are able to support students whose complicating factors are relatively mild and do not interfere with the overall flow, rhythm, and intellectual intensity of teaching and learning. Our focus remains on maintaining a dynamic, academically rich environment in which gifted students can thrive together.

What is the tuition?

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.

Where will the school be located?

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.

What is the Tradewinds School mascot?

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.

How does Tradewinds assess giftedness?

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. For a list of local testing providers, see our testing resources.

What are Tradewinds' school hours and calendar?

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

Will extracurricular or after-school activities be included?

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

How do I apply or learn more?

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.

What is your accreditation status?

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.

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