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Waiakea Elementary School

Q: Is Waiakea Elementary School a good school?

Waiakea Elementary School ranks 120 th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

120^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 204 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 41% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Waiakea Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Hilo, Hawaii, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 725 students. The school 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.

Waiakea Elementary School has shown mixed performance, with strengths in certain academic areas but also struggles in others. The school's statewide ranking has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 85th to 120th out of 193-207 Hawaii elementary schools, and its SchoolDigger rating has varied from 2 to 3 stars out of 5. While the school has performed relatively well for Hispanic students, ranking 40th out of 165 Hawaii elementary schools, it has struggled with other student groups, such as Asian, White, and English Language Learner students, ranking in the bottom half or bottom third of Hawaii elementary schools. Academically, the school had 42% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 39% proficient or better in Mathematics in the 2024-2025 school year, which was generally below the state averages, except for 5th-grade English Language Arts where the school outperformed the state.

Compared to nearby schools, Waiakea Elementary School's performance is generally stronger than some, such as Prince Jonah Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate School, Keaau Elementary School, and Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School, which all have lower statewide rankings and academic proficiency rates. However, other nearby schools, such as Haaheo Elementary School and Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School, outperform Waiakea Elementary School in both statewide ranking and academic proficiency.

706

Students ?

15.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,167

Per pupil spending ?

53.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

180 W Puainako St
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 981-7215

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Waiakea Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Waiakea Intermediate School
High:	Waiakea High School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

29.5%

Two or more races:

28.9%

Hispanic:

23.5%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Waiakea Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 43rd percentile in 2015 → 41st in 2025

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school43%

120^th of 204

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 41%▼ down 2 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

115^th of 182Elementary 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	42.3	120 of 204	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	56.8	97 of 207	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.2	111 of 195	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	53.4	85 of 193	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.2	100 of 196	49.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.4	93 of 196	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.3	111 of 193	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	58.8	93 of 207	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	54.3	94 of 195	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	44.7	110 of 194	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.1	114 of 196	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	63.3	69 of 195	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	58.4	75 of 191	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	56.8	81 of 183	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2009	54.0	89 of 191	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	46.6	88 of 146	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	50.5	100 of 192	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	53.8	78 of 194	59.8%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	65.3	73 of 160	54.4%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	31.3	103 of 125	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	64.9	95 of 203	53.2%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	46.9	78 of 123	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.5	157 of 198	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	81.0	40 of 165	75.8%	★★★★☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	63.3	41 of 110	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.6	118 of 196	39.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	49.5	85 of 153	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.8	125 of 207	39.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	32.6	127 of 171	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	45.3	133 of 202	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2024)76th percentile+23 vs school

Pacific Islander (2025)63rd percentile+22 vs school

African American (2024)54th percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)44th percentile+3 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)37th percentile-5 vs school

White (2025)26th percentile-15 vs school

Asian (2025)18th percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2024-2025) ?

Science49%

English Language Arts42%

Mathematics39%

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

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

Schools Near Waiakea Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				HSA Science (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	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
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%)	42.3	120^th of 204 public elementary schools	41.2%		56.8	97^th of 207 public elementary schools	53.1%	23	49.0	42.0	39.0	$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	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%)	46.8	112^th of 204 public elementary schools	45.1%		59.6	90^th of 207 public elementary schools	56.5%	22	45.0	49.0	42.0	$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	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%)	9.9	191^st of 204 public elementary schools	6.4%		14.3	187^th of 207 public elementary schools	9.7%	4	27.0	26.0	16.0	$17,738	$1,684	$16,054
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%)	41.9	122^nd of 204 public elementary schools	40.2%		47.9	120^th of 207 public elementary schools	42.0%	2	42.0	48.0	39.0	$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	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%)	93.2	14^th of 204 public elementary schools	93.1%		89.6	26^th of 207 public elementary schools	87.4%	12	72.0	75.0	75.0	$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	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%)	36.9	130^th of 204 public elementary schools	36.3%		34.2	146^th of 207 public elementary schools	29.5%	16	41.0	46.0	35.0	$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	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%)	78	55^th of 204 public elementary schools	73.0%		78.3	59^th of 207 public elementary schools	71.5%	4	76.0	61.0	51.0	$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	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%)	88.2	28^th of 204 public elementary schools	86.3%		70.2	79^th of 207 public elementary schools	61.8%	51	68.0	71.0	65.0	$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	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	161^st of 204 public elementary schools	21.1%		21.4	171^st of 207 public elementary schools	17.4%	10	29.0	39.0	35.0	$16,336	$1,183	$15,153
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%)	29	148^th of 204 public elementary schools	27.5%		6	201^st of 207 public elementary schools	2.9%	53	50.0	36.0	20.0	$19,667	$2,665	$17,002

Frequently Asked Questions about Waiakea Elementary School

Is Waiakea Elementary School a good school?

Waiakea Elementary School ranks 120^th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Waiakea Elementary School?

Students at Waiakea Elementary School are 29% Pacific Islander, 29% Two or more races, 24% Hispanic, 15% Asian, 3% White.

How many students attend Waiakea Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 706 students attended Waiakea Elementary School.

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

What district is Waiakea Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

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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.