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Hilo High School

Q: Is Hilo High School a good school?

Hilo High School ranks 30 th of 62 Hawaii high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

30^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 62 Hawaii High Schools

Better than 52% of Hawaii high schools

Summary

Hilo High School is a public high school in Hilo, Hawaii, serving 1,192 students in grades 9-12. It is part of the Hawaii Department of Education district, which is ranked 1 out of 1 in the state and rated 5 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger. Hilo High School's statewide ranking has fluctuated between 17th and 36th out of Hawaii's high schools over the past 10 years, with a current ranking of 30th and a 3-star rating.

Hilo High School performs particularly well for Asian, African American, and Pacific Islander students, ranking in the top 15 high schools in the state for these subgroups. However, the school struggles with Hispanic student performance, ranking 43rd out of 52 high schools in this category. The school excels in supporting English Language Learner (ELL) students, ranking 3rd out of 59 high schools in the state for this subgroup. Hilo High School has maintained a relatively high 4-year graduation rate, ranging from 87.0% to 89.5% over the past two school years, which is higher than the nearby Pahoa High & Intermediate School, which had a 73.0% 4-year graduation rate in the 2024-2025 school year.

While Hilo High School generally outperforms the nearby Pahoa High & Intermediate School across various metrics, including graduation rates and chronic absenteeism, it consistently underperforms Waiakea High School, which is located just 2 miles away and is ranked significantly higher in the state (9th out of 62 high schools in 2024-2025). This difference in performance may be influenced by the higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students at Hilo High School, which ranges from 50.92% to 57.11% over the past three school years, compared to 44.04% at Waiakea High School in 2023-2024.

1,170

Students ?

15.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,046

Per pupil spending ?

50.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

556 Waianuenue Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 974-4021

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Feeder schools for Hilo High School:

Elementary:	Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School
	Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School
	Haaheo Elementary School
	Hilo Union Elementary School
	More...
	Kaumana Elementary School
	Keaukaha Elementary School
	Prince Jonah Kalanianaole Elementary School
Middle:	Hilo Intermediate School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

38.3%

Hispanic:

22.4%

Two or more races:

19.1%

See top rated Hawaii high schools

Compare Hilo High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 37th percentile in 2015 → 52nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 15 percentile points since 2015

✓Above the Hawaii median (52nd percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school35%

30^th of 62

Hawaii public high schools ?

Top 48%▲ up 14 pts since 2015

From bottom 37% (2015) to top 48% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

24^th of 42High Schools in the Hawaii Department of Education

1^st of 1Hawaii Department of Education among Hawaii districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	34.8	30 of 62	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.9	29 of 67	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.6	31 of 53	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	50.9	28 of 52	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	67.3	17 of 48	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.4	22 of 52	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.0	32 of 53	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	26.3	36 of 63	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	36.7	36 of 53	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	40.9	32 of 51	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	32.9	40 of 56	28.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.2	25 of 58	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	33.3	39 of 56	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	40.9	36 of 56	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	48.1	28 of 55	49.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	39.9	28 of 39	28.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	43.7	39 of 60	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	54.2	24 of 56	57.1%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	69.4	13 of 55	76.4%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	56.2	9 of 41	78.0%	★★★★☆
2024	72.6	13 of 65	80.0%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	37.7	11 of 33	66.7%	★★★★☆
2024	92.1	3 of 59	94.9%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	39.2	43 of 52	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	69.6	5 of 32	84.4%	★★★★☆
2024	64.0	14 of 61	77.0%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	25.3	26 of 38	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	73.8	15 of 67	77.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	32.1	26 of 51	49.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.0	34 of 64	46.9%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Pacific Islander (2025)84th percentile+33 vs school

Asian (2025)78th percentile+26 vs school

African American (2024)76th percentile+20 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)67th percentile+15 vs school

White (2025)49th percentile-3 vs school

Special Education (2025)32nd percentile-20 vs school

Hispanic (2024)17th percentile-39 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts48%

Biology I33%

Mathematics25%

★

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Schools Near Hilo High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				HSA Science (2025)	HSA Biology I (2025)	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2025)	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	HSA Science All Grades	HSA Biology I All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Hilo High School	Public	9-12	556 Waianuenue Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4021	1,170	74	15.8	50.1%	85 (7.3%)	4 (0.3%)	262 (22.4%)	148 (12.6%)	0 (0.0%)	448 (38.3%)	223 (19.1%)	34.8	30^th of 62 public high schools	51.6%		46.9	29^th of 67 public high schools	56.7%	1		33.0	48.0	25.0	$17,046	$1,569	$15,477
Waiakea High School	Public	9-12	155 W Kawili St	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 974-4888	1,183	77	15.3	40.6%	102 (8.6%)	5 (0.4%)	283 (23.9%)	241 (20.4%)	1 (0.1%)	308 (26.0%)	243 (20.5%)	67.5	9^th of 62 public high schools	85.5%		78.1	6^th of 67 public high schools	91.0%	3		47.0	61.0	42.0	$16,204	$1,517	$14,687
Ke Ana Laahana - PCS	Public, Charter	7-12	160 Baker Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 961-6228	33	4	8.2	51.5%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (33.3%)	1 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (51.5%)	4 (12.1%)	4	59^th of 62 public high schools	4.8%		8.3	57^th of 67 public high schools	14.9%	2			21.0	11.0	$13,572	$4,115	$9,457
Keaau High School	Public	9-12	16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Rd	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 982-4220	1,041	70	14.8	71.7%	145 (13.9%)	8 (0.8%)	289 (27.8%)	129 (12.4%)	3 (0.3%)	301 (28.9%)	166 (15.9%)	22.9	39^th of 62 public high schools	37.1%		37.7	38^th of 67 public high schools	43.3%	1		20.0	50.0	16.0	$17,149	$1,502	$15,647
Pahoa High & Intermediate School	Public	7-12	15-3038 Puna Rd	Pahoa	96778	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 965-2150	745	59	12.6	71.8%	71 (9.5%)	1 (0.1%)	251 (33.7%)	75 (10.1%)	6 (0.8%)	237 (31.8%)	104 (14.0%)	10.1	53^rd of 62 public high schools	14.5%		12.6	55^th of 67 public high schools	17.9%	2	27.0		27.0	16.0	$19,147	$2,115	$17,032

Frequently Asked Questions about Hilo High School

Is Hilo High School a good school?

Hilo High School ranks 30^th of 62 Hawaii high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Hilo High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,170 students attended Hilo High School.

What district is Hilo High School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

What schools feed into Hilo High School?

Hilo High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School
Elementary : Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School
Elementary : Haaheo Elementary School
Elementary : Hilo Union Elementary School
Elementary : Kaumana Elementary School
Elementary : Keaukaha Elementary School
Elementary : Prince Jonah Kalanianaole Elementary School
Middle : Hilo Intermediate School

What is the racial makeup of Hilo High School?

Students at Hilo High School are 38% Pacific Islander, 22% Hispanic, 19% Two or more races, 13% Asian, 7% White.

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Schools in Hilo, HI

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Hawaii State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.