Summary:
The city of Kealakekua, Hawaii is home to 5 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 1 alternative school. The schools in this area display a mix of performance, with some standout institutions like Konawaena High School and others facing challenges, such as Kona Pacific - PCS.
Konawaena High School consistently ranks among the top 30-40% of Hawaii high schools, with a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger in 2023-2024. It boasts a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 85% and a student-teacher ratio of 18.8. In contrast, Kona Pacific - PCS, a public charter elementary/middle school, has seen a decline in its SchoolDigger ranking, from 3 stars in 2022-2023 to 1 star in 2024-2025, despite having a very low student-teacher ratio of 8.9.
Chronic absenteeism is a significant issue across all the schools in Kealakekua, with rates ranging from 26% at Kona Pacific - PCS to 40% at Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino, the alternative school. This alternative school, however, stands out with an impressive 93.7% 4-year graduation rate, significantly higher than the state average, despite its high chronic absenteeism. The high rates of free/reduced lunch eligibility across the schools suggest that the student populations in Kealakekua face significant economic challenges, which may impact academic performance.
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