Best Public Schools in Honolulu, HI

The Honolulu, Hawaii school district encompasses 74 schools, including 49 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 5 alternative schools. The schools in this diverse area serve students from a wide range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, with test scores and resources varying significantly across the district.

Some of the standout schools in Honolulu include Kaimuki Middle School, which ranks #1 among middle schools in Hawaii, and Waikiki Elementary, Hokulani Elementary, Noelani Elementary, and Manoa Elementary, all of which are ranked among the top 10 elementary schools in the state. These high-performing schools demonstrate strong academic achievement across multiple subject areas.

However, the data also reveals significant socioeconomic disparities, with free and reduced-price lunch rates ranging from 5.2% to 90.81% across the district. Schools with higher poverty rates, such as Palolo Elementary and Linapuni Elementary, tend to have lower academic proficiency levels. Additionally, per-student spending varies widely, from $7,979 to $72,276, raising questions about the equity of resource allocation and its impact on student outcomes. The Hawaii Department of Education will need to address these disparities to ensure all students in Honolulu have access to a high-quality education.