Summary:
The Waianae area of Hawaii is home to 11 schools, including 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school. These schools serve a diverse student population with high percentages of Pacific Islander and Hispanic students, as well as high rates of economic disadvantage.
While most schools in Waianae struggle to meet state performance averages, a few stand out. Leihoku Elementary School has the highest test scores in the area, with 53% proficiency in ELA and 49% in math for 4th and 5th graders. Waianae High School also performs relatively well, with 41% of 11th graders proficient in ELA and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2, the 7th best in the district. In contrast, Nanakuli Elementary School struggles, with proficiency rates ranging from 17-31% in ELA and 14-36% in math, and a high percentage of Pacific Islander students (71.75%).
Overall, the data reveals significant performance gaps between the schools in Waianae and the state averages, particularly in math. This suggests systemic challenges that need to be addressed, likely related to the high percentages of disadvantaged student populations. However, the success of schools like Leihoku Elementary and Waianae High demonstrates that high-quality education is possible in the area, and understanding the factors that contribute to their relative success could provide insights for improving other schools in the Hawaii Department of Education.
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