Founded in 1867 by Queen Emma Kaleleonālani, wife of King Kamehameha IV, the schools enroll students in preschool through grade 12 year round.

[1] More than half the faculty have advanced degrees, and virtually 100% of graduates attend four-year colleges and universities across the country.

Under his authority, the Sisters of the Church of England returned to Hawaiʻi with Queen Emma to begin their work.

[2] The school opened on Ascension Day, May 30, 1867, under the direction of Queen Emma and Mother Priscilla Lydia Sellon of the Society of the Most Holy Trinity of Devonport, Plymouth, England.

[5] The school is located at 224 Queen Emma Square, 21°18′35″N 157°51′23″W / 21.30972°N 157.85639°W / 21.30972; -157.85639 and is named for the adjacent Saint Andrew's Cathedral, which was named for King Kamehameha IV (husband of Queen Emma Kaleleonālani), who died on November 30, 1863, the feast day of Saint Andrew.

[6][7] Mauna 'Ala This tradition celebrates Queen Emma's birthday on the school campus and at the Royal Mausoleum, the final resting place for several members of the Hawaiian monarchy.

AP courses are offered in biology, calculus, chemistry, English, world languages, physics, U.S. government, U.S. history, and many more.

Through its Collegiate Advancement Program with Hawaii Pacific University, the Priory also offers the opportunity for qualified juniors and seniors to enroll without additional cost in college freshman-level courses.

[14] Now, Pac-5 competes in baseball, canoe paddling, cheerleading, cross-country, football, judo, kayaking, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, water polo, and wrestling.

[18] 2008 TARC results:[16] In 2010, Kang-Ying (Connie) Liu ('11) won first place at the 53rd Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair for her college graduate-level work in developing nine new equations to describe triangle inequalities.

[20] At the 54th Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair (2011), Priory students took home three of the top four prizes in a field of 77 schools.