Eligibility:

Before you do anything, you first have to see if you’re eligible. To qualify for Early College, you must:

• Pass the SAT.
• Have suitable grades.
• Choose between Manoa Academy or KCC. 

For Manoa Academy, you may have to take the PSAT and/or ACT.

For KCC, you have to take the Accuplacer placement test, SBA, and/or ACT.

The Pros of Taking Early College:

Accessibility for a Wide Range of Students:

• Early College is usually available online which means most people have easy access to the class. If you have a computer, online classes may work for you.
• In many cases, you may not have to leave the comfort of your home or work. You go, couch-potato in the making!

Prepare for College:

• Taking college classes in high-school does give you an advantage over peers who don’t.
• If you get anxious about new things, this may help you transition from high school to college.

Money Savings:

• Early College lets you take a college class for a fraction of the cost. What’s better than getting something for less?
• CNBC.com says: “The average student loan borrower has $37,172 in student loans.”

Things to Note:

Remember, Don’t Take Early College If You Are:

• Struggling in high school and have bad grades.
• Sure you’re not going to college.
• Applying only because your friends are also taking the class.
• Uncertain of the rules and responsibility (i.e the responsibility of an actual college class that costs money).
• Unsure about what you actually want — i.e. you don’t have a specific goal or plan.
• Already enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement classes.

Early College Is New:

The Hawai’i Department of Education started early college programs in 2011. Kalani is one of a select group of public high schools to offer early college courses. ​In Honolulu, the only other schools with early college are Farrington High, Kaimuki High, McKinley High, and Roosevelt High.

In Short:

Early College is a privilege and may help you succeed. Taking early college class(es) is serious but can benefit you as a person and student.

Interested? Contact Kalani’s Early College Department at:

Susan Arashiro
College and Career Counselor
[email protected]

Sandra Yoshida
College and Career Counselor
[email protected]

Lisa Hayashi
College and Career Coordinator
[email protected]

Jason Tanaka
Dual Credit Coordinator – Early College/Running Start
[email protected]