Parker School

Parker School is an independent day school in Kamuela, on the Big Island of Hawaii, serving between 301 and 500 students from elementary through high school. The campus sits in Waimea, paniolo country, drawing families from the Kohala and Hāmākua coasts. The school is non-sectarian and covers the full K–12 span on one site.

Teaching at a day school this size looks different from a large urban independent. Most faculty know students across divisions, and many watch the same families move through for ten years or more. Class sections stay small, so teachers shape their own courses rather than follow a fixed script. Spanish anchors the world language program, which gives language faculty a clear identity instead of a turf fight.

The finances are sturdier than at most schools this size. In 2023, the school reported about $16.9 million in revenue and $79.6 million in net assets, with fundraising up 3.2 percent year over year. That cushion matters in Hawaii, where cost of living is steep. It translates into steadier salaries, stable health benefits, and real investment in classroom programs rather than year-to-year cuts.

Faculty hiring usually spans core academics, Spanish, arts, and athletic coaching, plus staff roles in admissions, advancement, operations, and student support. Most teaching searches close before the academic year starts, so candidates should apply early. Ask about relocation support and housing context during interviews — those details shape the real compensation picture on Hawaii Island more than a base salary figure alone.