Summary:
Hilo, Hawaii is home to 16 public schools — eight elementary, two middle, three high, and three alternative or charter programs — serving roughly 7,933 students across grade spans that run from PK–5 and PK–6 elementaries up to K–12, 7–12, and 9–12 secondary and alternative programs, all operating under the Hawaii Department of Education.
The strongest academic profiles differ by level. Waiakea High School is the clearest high-school standout, ranking 5 of 65 with 92nd percentile and five stars, with ELA 71, Math 50, and Biology 47, an 89.0% graduation rate, and the lowest high-school chronic absenteeism (17.0%) and free/reduced lunch (40.57%) in the group — stronger outcomes than similarly sized Hilo High School, which posts ELA 45, Math 30, and Biology 35. Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School leads elementaries (ELA 74, Math 73, Science 62) despite the highest student-teacher ratio at 18.3, and holds the list's lowest chronic absenteeism (12.0%) and free/reduced lunch (26.07%). Kaumana Elementary School posted the top reported Science score at 80, and Hilo Intermediate School is the higher-ranked middle school at 22 of 85.
Citywide, 2025-2026 averages were ELA 47.5, Math 38.9, and Science 44.9; elementary schools as a group outscore high schools, and Math trails ELA nearly everywhere. Chronic absenteeism averages 28.7% but ranges from 12.0% at DeSilva to 59.0% at Connections - New Century PCS, which also has the highest free/reduced lunch (75%) and the lowest Math proficiency (10). Spending and student-teacher ratio do not track results — Ke Ana Laahana - PCS has the lowest ratio (8.2) and lowest scores. Waiakeawaena Elementary School and Hilo Union Elementary School improved across subjects, while Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School remains among the lower-ranked schools. One data note for parents: Science for Haaheo Elementary School in 2025-2026 is suppressed by the state and should not be read as a weakness.
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