Financial Aid & Scholarships

Parker School offers financial aid and scholarships to about 40% of its students almost every year (the national average is about 25%). The majority of these financial awards are funded each year by generous donors who attend our annual auction gala, provide direct individual scholarships, or contribute to our financial aid endowment.

With a donation to our financial aid program, you are giving the gift of education to a curious and ambitious child who otherwise could not afford to experience our school and its nurturing program. Thank you for exploring these giving options.


Kahiau

Every year, Parker School ʻohana gather to support our student body at our auction gala called Kahiau which means “to give generously from the heart.” This event raises funds exclusively for our financial aid program.

This year’s 19th annual Kahiau will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i. If you would like to become or learn more about becoming an event sponsors or to donate live or silent auction items, please email advancement@parkerschoolhawaii.org.


Donor Scholarships

Direct scholarships are another way to give the gift of a Parker School education. Parker scholarships create opportunities by helping bridge the need-gap for talented students from diverse economic backgrounds. Below are examples of scholarships currently or recently offered at Parker School.

The Irma Packard Norman Scholarship

is awarded to a Parker School rising senior who has shown outstanding citizenship toward the school, his/her peers and teachers during his/her time at Parker School.  While not ignoring the importance of academics, this individual has placed emphasis on displaying caring and kindness towards others and has gone above and beyond in creating a mutually respectful and inclusive environment here at Parker School.

The Mie Kim Najita Award

is awarded to a Parker School rising senior with financial need who has demonstrated consistent academic effort and shows promise for future achievement.

The Lori Ann K. Kim O.D. Scholarship

was established in honor of Dr. Kim’s colleague, longtime Waimea optometrist Kenneth J. Fischer, O.D. Dr. Fischer has been involved with Parker School since its inception in 1976, serving as a board member and supporter for many years. The scholarship was awarded to a new freshman at Parker School who demonstrated financial need, academic promise, good citizenship and an interest or involvement in science, technology, engineering, or math.

The Ibby Jenkins Memorial Scholarship

is awarded to a rising senior who was an exceptional visual artist at Parker School. The awardee exemplifies Ibby’s thirst for artistic discovery and her passion for creative growth. The award is in recognition of the valuable place artists hold in society. Ibby Jenkins lived a life brimming with art. She was always stretching into new artistic territory, mastering one medium and then moving on to master something else. Ibby was an art explorer who brought art into everyday life. In honor of Ibby Jenkins, the scholarship selection committee looks for a student who, like Ibby, embodies a passion for creative expression and artistic discovery.

John and Muffet Callender Scholarship

is awarded to a Parker School rising senior with financial need in recognition of their commitment to community service. John and Muffet have volunteered their time for more than 15 years to Parker School and other non-profits. They shared the philosophy that it feels good to give back to the community in which they live. Student's community service may be within Parker School and/or throughout Hawaii Island. Application required.


Financial Aid Endowment

Parker School’s financial aid endowment was first established in 1994 and accounts for 5% of the financial aid funds awarded  each year.  Donations to the endowment are permanently restricted, meaning the original contribution is to be held in perpetuity and only the income from the fund may be distributed as scholarships annually (according to the fund’s investment policy statement).



Please contact the Advancement Office if you would like to learn more about Kahiau, establishing a scholarship at Parker School, or contributing to the school’s financial aid endowment.