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Hilo Union Elementary School

Q: Is Hilo Union Elementary School a good school?

Hilo Union Elementary School ranks 90 th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

90^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 56% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Hilo Union Elementary School is a PK–6 public school on Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo, Hawaii, serving 449 students as part of the Hawaii Department of Education. For eight straight years (2015–16 through 2022–23) it ranked between the 14th and 28th percentile statewide and earned one star each year. Since then it has improved three years running, reaching the 42nd percentile in 2023–24, the 40th in 2024–25, and the 56th percentile in 2025–26 — its highest standing in the ten-year record and its first time above the state median. Test scores moved with it: English language arts proficiency climbed from 37% in 2022–23 to 58% in 2025–26, math from 30% to 46%, and science from 41.54% in 2023–24 to 49%.

That progress matters because Hilo Union serves the second-highest poverty rate among nearby schools: 68.37% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25, above a peer average of roughly 56%. It outperforms schools with less poverty — Waiakea Elementary School (53.1% free/reduced lunch) posts 42% ELA and 34% math and ranks in the 37th percentile, while Keaau Elementary School (62.6%) posts 41% ELA and 35% math. Its closest neighbor, Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School about a mile away, sits at the 15th percentile — a 41-point gap between two schools serving similar communities. The top local performers are Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School (88th percentile), Kaumana Elementary School (78th) and Haaheo Elementary School (75th).

Two features support the gains: a small student-teacher ratio of 11.9 to 1 (peer average about 13.8) and, as of 2018–19, $18,068 in per-student spending, third highest locally. Compared with statewide peers, the school's strongest results come from its low-income students (69th percentile) and English language learners (82nd percentile). The clear weak spot is attendance. Chronic absenteeism reached 35.0% in 2024–25 — tied for highest in the area and up from 30.2% the year before, even as scores rose; the strongest nearby school, DeSilva, is at 12%. Math is the other priority, trailing the school's own ELA results by 12 points.

449

Students ?

11.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

68.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

506 Waianuenue Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 933-0900

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Hilo Union Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Hilo Intermediate School
High:	Hilo High School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

36.7%

Hispanic:

29.8%

Two or more races:

18.5%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Hilo Union Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 24th percentile in 2016 → 56th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 32 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Hawaii median (56th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school51%

90^th of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Top 44%▲ up 32 pts since 2016

From bottom 24% (2016) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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
2026	61.2	90 of 203	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	41.9	122 of 204	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.9	120 of 207	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	20.1	164 of 195	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.9	139 of 193	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	23.1	152 of 196	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	26.3	153 of 196	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.2	166 of 193	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	21.6	173 of 207	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	28.6	148 of 195	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	14.2	175 of 194	9.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	17.0	181 of 196	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	21.2	174 of 195	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	18.5	171 of 191	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	10.2	175 of 183	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	32.8	146 of 191	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	19.0	131 of 146	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	19.6	168 of 192	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	34.4	134 of 194	30.9%	★★☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	31.1	104 of 125	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	41.7	150 of 203	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	88.1	21 of 116	81.9%	★★★★☆
2025	81.7	33 of 123	73.2%	★★★★☆
2024	59.8	106 of 198	46.5%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	79.3	45 of 165	72.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	69.5	63 of 202	68.8%	★★★☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	89.0	15 of 115	87.0%	★★★★☆
2025	68.9	36 of 110	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.2	63 of 196	67.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	51.9	79 of 155	49.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	43.3	98 of 153	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	56.2	101 of 207	51.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	53.4	94 of 173	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	58.7	83 of 171	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.1	121 of 202	40.1%	★★☆☆☆

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 (2026)87th percentile+31 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)82nd percentile+26 vs school

Hispanic (2024)73rd percentile+31 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)69th percentile+13 vs school

Special Education (2026)49th percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)46th percentile-10 vs school

Asian (2025)17th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts58%

Science49%

Mathematics46%

★

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Schools Near Hilo Union Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				HSA Science (2026)	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2026)	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)	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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	HSA Science 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 Union Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	506 Waianuenue Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 933-0900	449	38	11.9	68.4%	31 (6.9%)	1 (0.2%)	134 (29.8%)	35 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	165 (36.7%)	83 (18.5%)	61.2	90^th of 203 public elementary schools	55.7%		41.9	122^nd of 204 public elementary schools	40.2%	32	49.0	58.0	46.0	$18,068	$1,957	$16,111
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	966 Kilauea Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4160	354	25	14.1	65.0%	14 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	81 (22.9%)	42 (11.9%)	0 (0.0%)	129 (36.4%)	88 (24.9%)	20.7	172^nd of 203 public elementary schools	15.3%		9.9	191^st of 204 public elementary schools	6.4%	19	38.0	29.0	26.0	$17,738	$1,684	$16,054
Haaheo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	121 Haaheo Rd	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4111	122	11	11.0	50.8%	22 (18.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (25.4%)	13 (10.7%)	1 (0.8%)	28 (23.0%)	27 (22.1%)	81.3	50^th of 203 public elementary schools	75.4%		78	55^th of 204 public elementary schools	73.0%	5		63.0	61.0	$16,116	$1,394	$14,722
Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	278 Ainako Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 974-4855	422	23	18.3	26.1%	49 (11.6%)	0 (0.0%)	96 (22.7%)	60 (14.2%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (15.6%)	151 (35.8%)	89.8	24^th of 203 public elementary schools	88.2%		93.2	14^th of 204 public elementary schools	93.1%	10	62.0	74.0	73.0	$15,582	$1,242	$14,340
Waiakea Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	180 W Puainako St	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 981-7215	706	47	15.0	53.1%	24 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	166 (23.5%)	104 (14.7%)	0 (0.0%)	208 (29.5%)	204 (28.9%)	41.3	128^th of 203 public elementary schools	36.9%		42.3	120^th of 204 public elementary schools	41.2%	8	51.0	42.0	34.0	$15,167	$1,077	$14,090
Keaukaha Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	240 Desha Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4181	341	28	12.1	68.3%	5 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	91 (26.7%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	201 (58.9%)	41 (12.0%)	42.7	124^th of 203 public elementary schools	38.9%		36.9	130^th of 204 public elementary schools	36.3%	6	43.0	46.0	40.0	$18,443	$2,308	$16,135
Waiakeawaena Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2420 Kilauea Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 981-7200	669	52	12.8	51.4%	23 (3.4%)	1 (0.1%)	182 (27.2%)	80 (12.0%)	0 (0.0%)	155 (23.2%)	228 (34.1%)	66	79^th of 203 public elementary schools	61.1%		46.8	112^th of 204 public elementary schools	45.1%	33	52.0	55.0	54.0	$16,286	$1,496	$14,790
Kaumana Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1710 Kaumana Dr	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4190	238	15	15.8	51.7%	17 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	90 (37.8%)	12 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (17.2%)	78 (32.8%)	82.5	45^th of 203 public elementary schools	77.8%		88.2	28^th of 204 public elementary schools	86.3%	17	80.0	58.0	60.0	$17,553	$1,304	$16,249
Prince Jonah Kalanianaole Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	27-330 Old Mamalahoa Hwy	Papaikou	96781	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 313-5200	183	15	12.2	70.5%	17 (9.3%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (30.6%)	23 (12.6%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (29.0%)	34 (18.6%)	26.2	160^th of 203 public elementary schools	21.2%		29	148^th of 204 public elementary schools	27.5%	12	29.0	42.0	33.0	$19,667	$2,665	$17,002
Keaau Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	16-680 Keaau-Pahoa Rd	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 982-4210	829	56	14.8	62.6%	59 (7.1%)	7 (0.8%)	239 (28.8%)	106 (12.8%)	2 (0.2%)	236 (28.5%)	180 (21.7%)	25.9	164^th of 203 public elementary schools	19.2%		25	161^st of 204 public elementary schools	21.1%	3	27.0	41.0	35.0	$16,336	$1,183	$15,153

Frequently Asked Questions about Hilo Union Elementary School

Is Hilo Union Elementary School a good school?

Hilo Union Elementary School ranks 90^th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Hilo Union Elementary School?

Students at Hilo Union Elementary School are 37% Pacific Islander, 30% Hispanic, 18% Two or more races, 8% Asian, 7% White.

What schools do graduates of Hilo Union Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Hilo Union Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Hilo Intermediate School
High : Hilo High School

What district is Hilo Union Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

How many students attend Hilo Union Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 449 students attended Hilo Union Elementary School.

Rate Hilo Union Elementary School!

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Latest Hawaii data All new data »

2025–26 graduation ratesNewSep 19, 2026

2025–26 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewSep 19, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 18, 2025

2024–25 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresSep 18, 2025

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.