President William Mckinley High School

Posted: July 20, 2025

If you're living in the McKinley Complex area and your child is about to attend McKinley High School, I strongly recommend exploring other options—whether that means transferring through a GED program to another public school or considering a private school instead.

While there are individual teachers and staff who care, the overall administration feels disconnected from the student body. The school morale is noticeably low, and it shows in both the environment and the way things are run. There's a lack of unity—not just between students and faculty, but even within the community as a whole. It often feels like everyone is just trying to get through the year rather than actually grow, connect, or improve.

The school could benefit from stronger leadership, better communication, and a more structured support system for students. Right now, that’s missing. If you're looking for a high school experience that will really support your child’s development—both academically and socially—this might not be the best fit.

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: August 3, 2019

Posted: August 3, 2019

Posted: August 3, 2019

Posted: August 3, 2019

Posted: August 3, 2019

Posted: August 3, 2019

Posted: August 3, 2019

I feel like it has been an average experience. I haven’t been to other high schools so I don’t know how to compare but it has all sorts of people. 4.5 gpa students, students who don’t even come to class, teachers who really suck at teaching and teachers who you wish was your teacher for all subjects because they were so good.

Posted: February 16, 2015

I'm writing this review out of a severe concern. I am a friend of a single mom with one child who attends this school. The child is in her third year. She seems very bright and has a wonderful disposition. However... Recently, I had a conversation with this child and it turned out that she was virtually clueless about any kind of history. This poor girl had barely heard of George Washington. She knew absolutely NOTHING about how America was created via the revolution. She knew NOTHING about the Civil War nor could barely tell me who Abraham Lincoln was. On top of this, she had never heard of the Roman empire. Not a clue... Seriously? I learned about this stuff when I was in fifth grade. (Catholic School.) Sadly, the mother doesn't speak English very well as it is not her first language. Therefore she has difficulty in checking up on this child's homework and tests in general. However, this should NEVER be a reason for any child in being this clueless about the world. I cannot imagine that in one year, this child will be applying for college. Where are the standards and who is accountable?

Posted: July 3, 2012

McKinley is in my opinion one of the best public school in the state of Hawaii. It has a few problems, like any other school but it also has a long list of pro to combat the con. Cons: -Many of the students are ESL and the teacher have to slow down in order to help them, which is awesome, but these same students tend to disobey and refuse to do their work and the language issue is hard for teachers and parents to contact each other. -A LOT of the teachers are under qualified and some are just stuck in the wrong position. -They have no really dress code. -Large class size Pros: -They focus on Academics, if you can't make grade you can't play your sport. -Great Robotics team and notable clubs/class (National Honor Society, AVID, AP, ETC.) -Friendly/helpful teachers and staff. -A wide variety of electives. -A great SPED program. -Plenty of financial aid help, which may be strange for a public school but they give out free bus passes and free/reduced lunch for those who qualify. -Great student body, the students though they have their issues with each other will have each others backs when they need it. -Central location

Posted: February 25, 2012

The school is beautiful and stunning. I had two girls who went to this school, one who graduated a couple of years ago and one who is close to graduating and from my experiences with my daughters, they love the school, the students, the atmosphere. The only downfall is that McKinley does have under-qualified teachers, however, I believe the school makes up for it in their strong robotics, band, and AP programs. Your child can really benefit from this school if they keep themselves well-rounded. I also approve of how strict the school is in maintaining their presence in public. McKinley rarely, if ever, gets into trouble for alcohol, violence, or drugs, at public outings, such as proms and sporting events.