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Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School

Q: Is Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School a good school?

Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School ranks 105 th of 203 Hawaii alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-9

105^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Alternative Schools

Better than 48% of Hawaii alternative schools

Summary

Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School is a small alternative school serving 180 students in grades PK–9 in the rural community of Paauilo, Hawaii, and is part of the Hawaii Department of Education.

Compared with the two nearby alternative schools in the same district — Kanu o ka Aina - New Century PCS (K–12, 696 students) and Laupahoehoe Community - PCS (PK–12, 307 students) — Paauilo posts the strongest test results in ELA, math, and science. In 2025–2026, 50% of students were proficient in ELA, 45% in math, and 45% in science, compared with 39%, 23%, and 33% at Kanu o ka Aina and 38%, 16%, and 19% at Laupahoehoe. The math gap is especially large. These results come even though Paauilo has the highest free/reduced-price lunch rate (66.67%) and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (28.0%) of the three. Scores rose steadily from 2022–2023 through 2024–2025, then dipped in 2025–2026, when math fell from 54 to 45 and science from 53 to 45 — a decline worth watching. Because Paauilo serves PK–9 and has no graduation rate, the 87.0% and 57.0% graduation rates at the nearby schools are not directly comparable.

Chronic absenteeism is Paauilo's clearest weakness. It improved from 34.2% in 2023–2024 to 28.0% in 2024–2025, but remains roughly three times Kanu o ka Aina's 9.0% and above Laupahoehoe's 19.0%. Economic need is also rising: free/reduced-price lunch eligibility grew from 54.14% in 2022–2023 to 66.67% in 2024–2025. On resources, the available 2018–2019 per-student spending figure was $19,693 — about double Kanu o ka Aina's $9,697 and well above Laupahoehoe's $10,823 — and the student-teacher ratio of 12 is favorable (Laupahoehoe also reports 12; Kanu reports 14). The key questions ahead are whether the recent math and science dip continues and whether attendance keeps improving.

180

Students ?

12.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

66.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

43-1497 Hauola Rd
Paauilo, HI 96776

(808) 776-7710

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Racial breakdown:

Two or more races:

36.7%

Pacific Islander:

22.8%

Hispanic:

22.2%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 39th percentile in 2022 → 73rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 34 percentile points since 2022

✓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 school47%

Elementary school

105^th of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 48%▲ up 24 pts since 2016

From bottom 25% (2016) to bottom 48% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

23^rd of 85

Hawaii public middle schools ?

Top 27%▲ up 30 pts since 2016

From bottom 42% (2016) to top 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Middle 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	51.0	105 of 203	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	62.6	89 of 204	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.7	103 of 207	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.4	110 of 195	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.2	117 of 193	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	24.1	150 of 196	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.2	174 of 196	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.3	161 of 193	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	20.5	175 of 207	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	28.7	147 of 195	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	32.3	137 of 194	29.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	36.1	142 of 196	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	31.1	151 of 195	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	34.8	142 of 191	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	48.8	104 of 183	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	32.1	149 of 191	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	49.2	103 of 192	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2006	52.3	82 of 194	57.7%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	95.6	3 of 160	98.1%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	29.4	98 of 130	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.5	174 of 203	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	83.0	44 of 198	77.8%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	72.5	58 of 165	64.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	68.0	65 of 202	67.8%	★★★☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	83.1	38 of 196	80.6%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	80.6	26 of 155	83.2%	★★★★☆
2025	72.9	39 of 153	74.5%	★★★★☆
2024	72.5	59 of 207	71.5%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	43.8	117 of 173	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	70.3	58 of 171	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.2	89 of 202	55.9%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	51.0	23 of 85	72.9%	★★★★☆
2025	62.6	14 of 84	83.3%	★★★★☆
2024	54.7	26 of 89	70.8%	★★★★☆
2023	34.7	46 of 73	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	15.6	64 of 72	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.2	59 of 73	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	23.2	54 of 70	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.8	44 of 67	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	20.5	54 of 82	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	39.6	42 of 73	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	45.7	32 of 72	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	40.0	47 of 76	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	45.5	39 of 73	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	45.9	39 of 71	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	46.0	37 of 65	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	56.1	28 of 68	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2007	57.8	23 of 71	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	66.6	17 of 69	75.4%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	95.6	1 of 71	98.6%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	29.4	36 of 56	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.5	66 of 87	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	83.0	4 of 81	95.1%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	72.5	14 of 68	79.4%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	68.0	11 of 84	86.9%	★★★★☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	83.1	8 of 81	90.1%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	80.6	3 of 63	95.2%	★★★★★
2025	72.9	3 of 59	94.9%	★★★★★
2024	72.5	11 of 89	87.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	43.8	34 of 75	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.3	10 of 74	86.5%	★★★★☆
2024	66.2	17 of 86	80.2%	★★★★☆

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)

Elementary school

African American (2024)98th percentile+48 vs school

Special Education (2026)83rd percentile+35 vs school

Pacific Islander (2024)81st percentile+30 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)78th percentile+28 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)68th percentile+20 vs school

Hispanic (2024)65th percentile+15 vs school

White (2026)32nd percentile-16 vs school

Asian (2026)25th percentile-24 vs school

Middle school

African American (2024)99th percentile+28 vs school

Special Education (2026)95th percentile+22 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)95th percentile+24 vs school

Pacific Islander (2024)90th percentile+19 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)87th percentile+14 vs school

Hispanic (2024)79th percentile+9 vs school

White (2026)55th percentile-18 vs school

Asian (2026)36th percentile-37 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts50%

Mathematics45%

Science45%

★

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Schools Near Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate 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 ()				Ranking ()				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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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
Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-9	43-1497 Hauola Rd	Paauilo	96776	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 776-7710	180	15	12.0	66.7%	18 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (22.2%)	15 (8.3%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (22.8%)	66 (36.7%)								(n/a)	45.0	50.0	45.0	$19,693	$2,078	$17,615
Laupahoehoe Community - PCS	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	35-2065 Mamalahoa Hwy	Laupahoehoe	96764	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 962-2200	307	26	12.0	61.2%	94 (30.6%)	2 (0.7%)	75 (24.4%)	17 (5.5%)	4 (1.3%)	48 (15.6%)	67 (21.8%)								(n/a)	19.0	38.0	16.0	$10,823	$2,828	$7,995
Kanu o ka Aina - New Century PCS	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	64-1043 Hiiaka St	Kamuela	96743	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 887-8144	696	50	14.0	56.6%	152 (21.8%)	13 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (8.3%)	19 (2.7%)	434 (62.4%)	20 (2.9%)								(n/a)	33.0	39.0	23.0	$9,697	$634	$9,063

Frequently Asked Questions about Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School

What is the racial makeup of Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School?

Students at Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School are 37% Two or more races, 23% Pacific Islander, 22% Hispanic, 10% White, 8% Asian.

What district is Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

How many students attend Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 180 students attended Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School.

Is Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School a good school?

Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School ranks 105^th of 203 Hawaii alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School!

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Latest Hawaii data All new data »

2025–26 graduation ratesSep 19, 2026

2025–26 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresSep 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.