Mid-Pacific Institute is a private, co-educational college preparatory school for grades preschool through twelve with an approximate enrollment of 1,538 students,[1] the majority of whom are from Hawaii (although many also come from other states and other countries, such as Japan, South Korea, China, Canada, Australia, Marshall Islands and countries in Europe and Africa).

[2] By opening its doors to students with no prejudice over race and class status, Mid-Pacific was a part of a growing movement toward greater social acceptance that was rarely seen in the repressive oligarchical control within the Territory of Hawaii.

[3] "At Mid-Pacific, an attempt was made to bring students of all races together in a boarding school and to encourage democracy in education.

Because it was subsidized by members of the Damon, Wilcox, and Atherton families- all missionary descendants-the fees were relatively low, and many ambitious Chinese and Japanese youngsters enrolled."

A merger of the two schools was suggested in 1905 and the Hawaiian Board of Foreign Missions purchased 35 acres (14 ha) of land in Manoa valley.

The two schools continued to operate independently while co-existing in the new campus until the coeducation plan went into effect in the fall of 1922 and by June 1923 Mid-Pacific Institute became the common shared name.

Mid-Pacific Institute was the first secondary school in the state of Hawaii to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.