Waiakea Elementary School

Q: Is Waiakea Elementary School a good school?

Waiakea Elementary School ranks 111 th of 195 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public PK, KG-5

180 W Puainako St
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 981-7215

District: Hawaii Department of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
111^th of 195 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,167

Students who attend Waiakea Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Waiakea Intermediate School
High:	Waiakea High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.8

Number of students: 789

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

30.8%

Two or more races:

29.8%

Hispanic:

22.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 55.5%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Waiakea Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Waiakea Elementary School ranks worse than 56.9% of elementary schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 108^th among 181 ranked elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 43.22. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Waiakea Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Pacific Islander (30.8%), two or more races (29.8%), Hispanic (22.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 55.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Waiakea Elementary School is 14.8. 111 elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Waiakea Elementary School employs 53 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Waiakea Elementary School is $15,167. 147 elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Waiakea Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Hawaii Department of Education:

SchoolDigger ranks Hawaii Department of Education 1^st of 1 Hawaii school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Waiakea Elementary School.

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Rank History for Waiakea Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	HI State Percentile
2006	53.84	78^th	194	59.8%
2007	50.50	100^th	192	47.9%
2008	46.62	88^th	146	39.7%
2009	54.03	89^th	191	53.4%
2010	56.78	81^st	183	55.7%
2011	58.37	75^th	191	60.7%
2012	63.29	69^th	195	64.6%
2013	47.07	114^th	196	41.8%
2015	44.73	110^th	194	43.3%
2016	54.26	94^th	195	51.8%
2017	58.81	93^rd	207	55.1%
2018	45.29	111^th	193	42.5%
2019	51.38	93^rd	196	52.6%
2021	48.25	100^th	196	49.0%
2022	53.36	85^th	193	56.0%
2023	43.22	111^th	195	43.1%

See the entire list of Hawaii Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Hawaii State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, January 16, 2019

I have a mildly autistic child with IEP. Staff and teachers were very accommodating and very willing to work with parents to improve his social goals as well as academic goals. School has onsite after school program run by private entity with very reasonable price and great schedule for working parents. Very happy with 2+ years experience with them. (Moved for job relocation) Close Quote

Enrollment information for Waiakea Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	147	6	773	14	3	n/a	n/a	0	943
1989	160	3	806	9	2	n/a	n/a	0	980
1990	166	4	767	13	4	n/a	n/a	0	954
1991	164	10	755	4	4	n/a	n/a	0	937
1992	160	3	703	55	3	n/a	n/a	0	924
1993	182	4	704	54	4	n/a	n/a	-1	947
1994	169	1	710	44	7	n/a	n/a	0	931
1995	191	2	617	25	4	n/a	n/a	-1	838
1996	191	2	617	25	4	n/a	n/a	-1	838
1997	176	2	649	30	2	n/a	n/a	-17	842
1998	176	1	654	37	0	n/a	n/a	0	868
1999	166	0	616	42	0	n/a	n/a	0	824
2000	164	1	595	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	798
2001	151	2	572	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	760
2002	141	6	580	36	2	n/a	n/a	0	765
2003	141	6	580	36	2	n/a	n/a	0	765
2004	134	3	613	31	3	n/a	n/a	0	784
2005	133	7	653	34	8	n/a	n/a	0	835
2006	119	8	656	37	6	n/a	n/a	0	826
2007	132	5	681	30	4	n/a	n/a	0	852
2008	130	6	691	33	5	n/a	n/a	0	865
2009	128	6	717	34	3	n/a	n/a	0	888
2010	118	5	694	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	847
2011	65	4	285	27	1	355	107	0	844
2012	75	5	256	52	1	357	101	0	847
2013	63	4	241	82	0	333	135	0	858
2014	51	3	217	126	0	313	173	0	883
2015	50	2	180	135	0	271	176	0	814
2016	45	3	163	169	0	245	191	0	816
2017	45	2	151	195	0	240	206	0	839
2018	35	1	156	214	0	265	202	0	873
2019	34	1	153	222	1	255	212	0	878
2020	38	1	141	208	1	257	211	0	857
2021	30	2	140	228	0	246	217	0	863
2022	37	2	117	191	0	235	231	0	813
2023	31	0	106	174	0	243	235	0	789

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Waiakea Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	943	49.0	19.2	32.4
1989	980	50.0	19.6	35.5
1990	954	47.0	20.2	30.7
1991	937	48.0	19.5	23.3
1992	924	48.5	19.0	24.5
1993	947	50.0	18.9	20.1
1994	931	53.0	17.6	14.1
1995	838	46.0	18.2	18.1
1996	838	46.0	18.2	18.1
1997	842	45.5	18.5	35.6
1998	868	45.0	19.3	31.5
1999	824	47.0	17.5	37
2000	798	44.0	18.1	37.8
2001	760	41.0	18.5	47.4
2002	765	40.0	19.1	52.8
2003	765	40.0	19.1	52.8
2004	784	44.0	17.8	54.3
2005	835	50.0	16.7	56.3
2006	826	48.0	17.2	50.7
2007	852	50.5	16.9	46.8
2008	865	50.0	17.3	44.4
2009	888	51.0	17.4	47.6
2010	847	49.0	17.2	46.6
2011	844	49.0	17.2	51.9
2012	847	49.0	17.2	54.5
2013	858	50.0	17.1	53.8
2014	883	46.0	19.1	56.4
2015	814	48.0	16.9	58
2016	816	53.0	15.3	57.7
2017	839	55.0	15.2	56.1
2018	873	58.0	15.0	57.8
2019	878	58.0	15.1	58.4
2020	857	57.0	15.0	57.6
2021	863	57.0	15.1	56
2022	813	57.0	14.2	58.2
2023	789	53.0	14.8	55.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Waiakea Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	943	49.0	19.2	32.4
1989	980	50.0	19.6	35.5
1990	954	47.0	20.2	30.7
1991	937	48.0	19.5	23.3
1992	924	48.5	19.0	24.5
1993	947	50.0	18.9	20.1
1994	931	53.0	17.6	14.1
1995	838	46.0	18.2	18.1
1996	838	46.0	18.2	18.1
1997	842	45.5	18.5	35.6
1998	868	45.0	19.3	31.5
1999	824	47.0	17.5	37
2000	798	44.0	18.1	37.8
2001	760	41.0	18.5	47.4
2002	765	40.0	19.1	52.8
2003	765	40.0	19.1	52.8
2004	784	44.0	17.8	54.3
2005	835	50.0	16.7	56.3
2006	826	48.0	17.2	50.7
2007	852	50.5	16.9	46.8
2008	865	50.0	17.3	44.4
2009	888	51.0	17.4	47.6
2010	847	49.0	17.2	46.6
2011	844	49.0	17.2	51.9
2012	847	49.0	17.2	54.5
2013	858	50.0	17.1	53.8
2014	883	46.0	19.1	56.4
2015	814	48.0	16.9	58
2016	816	53.0	15.3	57.7
2017	839	55.0	15.2	56.1
2018	873	58.0	15.0	57.8
2019	878	58.0	15.1	58.4
2020	857	57.0	15.0	57.6
2021	863	57.0	15.1	56
2022	813	57.0	14.2	58.2
2023	789	53.0	14.8	55.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Waiakea Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,077 (7.1%)	$14,090 (92.9%)	$15,167

Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Waiakea Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 93^rd of 196 Elementary schools	Ranks 111^th of 195 Elementary schools	9.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)	52	39	13%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)	53	49	4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)	62	50	12%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)	56	52	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)	57	50	7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)	52	51	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)	49	46	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)	49	50	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)	50	52	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)	57	55	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)	43	39	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)	44	44
All Grades English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)	53	47	6%
All Grades Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)	51	45	6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	878	789	10.1%
African American	1	0	100%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	153	106	30.7%
Hispanic	222	174	21.6%
Pacific Islander	255	243	4.7%
White	34	31	8.8%
Two or More Races	212	235	10.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	58.4%	55.5%	2.9%

Schools Near Waiakea Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				HSA Science (2023)	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2023)					Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2023)					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 (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	HSA Science 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Waiakea Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	180 W Puainako St	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 981-7215	789	53	14.8	55.5%	31 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	174 (22.1%)	106 (13.4%)	0 (0.0%)	243 (30.8%)	235 (29.8%)	43.2	111^th of 195 public elementary schools	43.1%		53.4	85^th of 193 public elementary schools	56.0%	26	44.0	39.0	50.0	52.0		47.0	50.0	46.0	39.0		45.0	$15,167	$1,077	$14,090
Waiakeawaena Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2420 Kilauea Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 981-7200	684	51	13.4	51.9%	32 (4.7%)	1 (0.1%)	196 (28.7%)	82 (12.0%)	0 (0.0%)	160 (23.4%)	213 (31.1%)	55.9	81^st of 195 public elementary schools	58.5%		45.5	101^st of 193 public elementary schools	47.7%	20	53.0	36.0	58.0	64.0		53.0	42.0	64.0	45.0		50.0	$16,286	$1,496	$14,790
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	966 Kilauea Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 974-4160	375	28	13.3	70.9%	10 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	99 (26.4%)	36 (9.6%)	0 (0.0%)	141 (37.6%)	89 (23.7%)	8.9	187^th of 195 public elementary schools	4.1%		8.8	185^th of 193 public elementary schools	4.1%	2	30.0	19.0	23.0	31.0	16.0	23.0	17.0	18.0	24.0	13.0	18.0	$17,738	$1,684	$16,054
Kua o ka La - NCPCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	345 Makalika	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 981-5866	164	13	12.6	81.7%	31 (18.9%)	2 (1.2%)	46 (28.0%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (31.1%)	32 (19.5%)	25.1	154^th of 195 public elementary schools	21.0%		31.1	138^th of 193 public elementary schools	28.5%	16	57.0	35.0	33.0	50.0	8.0	34.0	42.0	10.0	36.0	17.0	24.0	$17,711	$6,696	$11,015
Hilo Union Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	506 Waianuenue Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 933-0900	422	36	11.7	70.4%	21 (5.0%)	1 (0.2%)	138 (32.7%)	33 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	163 (38.6%)	66 (15.6%)	20.1	164^th of 195 public elementary schools	15.9%		30.9	139^th of 193 public elementary schools	28.0%	25	18.0	33.0	41.0	31.0	44.0	37.0	31.0	38.0	19.0	33.0	30.0	$18,068	$1,957	$16,111
Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	278 Ainako Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 974-4855	486	24	20.2	29.0%	54 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	111 (22.8%)	70 (14.4%)	0 (0.0%)	75 (15.4%)	176 (36.2%)	89.5	20^th of 195 public elementary schools	89.7%		89.7	19^th of 193 public elementary schools	90.2%	1	64.0	64.0	72.0	77.0	88.0	75.0	76.0	75.0	70.0	76.0	74.0	$15,582	$1,242	$14,340
Keaukaha Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	240 Desha Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 974-4181	369	29	12.7	67.8%	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	111 (30.1%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	208 (56.4%)	44 (11.9%)	27.5	148^th of 195 public elementary schools	24.1%		25	153^rd of 193 public elementary schools	20.7%	5	38.0	39.0	38.0	47.0	40.0	41.0	36.0	32.0	36.0	22.0	32.0	$18,443	$2,308	$16,135
Haaheo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	121 Haaheo Rd	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 974-4111	166	12	13.8	53.0%	25 (15.1%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (24.7%)	21 (12.7%)	2 (1.2%)	34 (20.5%)	43 (25.9%)	69.3	60^th of 195 public elementary schools	69.2%		48.7	96^th of 193 public elementary schools	50.3%	36	83.0	65.0	41.0	71.0	57.0	59.0	62.0	48.0	63.0	48.0	55.0	$16,116	$1,394	$14,722
Kaumana Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1710 Kaumana Dr	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 974-4190	240	17	14.1	52.1%	12 (5.0%)	1 (0.4%)	89 (37.1%)	10 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	62 (25.8%)	66 (27.5%)	49.8	92^nd of 195 public elementary schools	52.8%		52.2	88^th of 193 public elementary schools	54.4%	4	53.0	34.0	69.0	60.0	38.0	51.0	48.0	52.0	43.0	36.0	43.0	$17,553	$1,304	$16,249
Keaau Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	16-680 Keaau-Pahoa Rd	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(808) 982-4210	821	54	15.2	63.0%	57 (6.9%)	3 (0.4%)	237 (28.9%)	117 (14.3%)	2 (0.2%)	226 (27.5%)	179 (21.8%)	19.8	166^th of 195 public elementary schools	14.9%		16.7	170^th of 193 public elementary schools	11.9%	4	21.0	44.0	30.0	26.0		33.0	55.0	25.0	15.0		31.0	$16,336	$1,183	$15,153

Frequently Asked Questions about Waiakea Elementary School

Is Waiakea Elementary School a good school?

Waiakea Elementary School ranks 111^th of 195 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Waiakea Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 789 students attended Waiakea Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Waiakea Elementary School?

Students at Waiakea Elementary School are 31% Pacific Islander, 30% Two or more races, 22% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 4% White.

What district is Waiakea Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

What schools do graduates of Waiakea Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Waiakea Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Waiakea Intermediate School
High : Waiakea High School

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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.

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