Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Waiakeawaena Elementary School

Q: Is Waiakeawaena Elementary School a good school?

Waiakeawaena Elementary School ranks 112 th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

112^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 204 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 45% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Waiakeawaena Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Hilo, Hawaii, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 672 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.

Waiakeawaena Elementary School has seen fluctuations in its statewide ranking over the past 10 years, ranging from 81st to 125th out of 193-207 Hawaii elementary schools, with its SchoolDigger star rating varying between 2 and 3 stars out of 5 during this period. The school has performed particularly well in certain student subgroups, such as African American students, who ranked 1st out of 160 Hawaii elementary schools in 2023-2024 with a 5-star rating, and English Language Learner students, who ranked 31st out of 123 Hawaii elementary schools in 2024-2025 with a 4-star rating. However, the school has struggled with the performance of other subgroups, such as White students and Special Education students, ranking in the bottom quartile of Hawaii elementary schools.

Waiakeawaena Elementary School has had relatively high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 18.0% to 22.7% in recent years, which is above the state average. In terms of academic proficiency, the school has shown mixed results, with English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rates ranging from 44% to 53% and mathematics proficiency rates ranging from 27% to 51%, generally below the state average. When compared to nearby schools in the Hilo area, Waiakeawaena's performance is generally in the middle range, with some schools, such as Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary and Haaheo Elementary, consistently outperforming it in academic proficiency and statewide rankings.

669

Students ?

12.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,286

Per pupil spending ?

51.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2420 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 981-7200

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Waiakeawaena Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Waiakea Intermediate School
High:	Waiakea High School

Racial breakdown:

Two or more races:

34.1%

Hispanic:

27.2%

Pacific Islander:

23.2%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Waiakeawaena Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 41st percentile in 2015 → 45th in 2025

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school45%

112^th of 204

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 45%▲ up 4 pts since 2015

From bottom 41% (2015) to bottom 45% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

108^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	46.8	112 of 204	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	59.6	90 of 207	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	55.9	81 of 195	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.5	101 of 193	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.9	110 of 196	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	54.2	86 of 196	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.6	89 of 193	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	50.2	115 of 207	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	38.9	125 of 195	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2015	43.4	115 of 194	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.9	109 of 196	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	40.6	131 of 195	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	40.7	121 of 191	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	46.8	110 of 183	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	47.4	111 of 191	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	47.7	86 of 146	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	50.1	101 of 192	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2006	58.1	65 of 194	66.5%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	97.6	1 of 160	99.4%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	67.5	52 of 125	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	78.2	54 of 203	73.4%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	82.7	31 of 123	74.8%	★★★★☆
2024	61.9	98 of 198	50.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	40.9	114 of 165	30.9%	★★☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	43.9	69 of 110	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.9	124 of 196	36.7%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	23.2	136 of 153	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	42.8	141 of 207	31.9%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	17.1	150 of 171	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	51.4	119 of 202	41.1%	★★☆☆☆

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)

African American (2024)99th percentile+43 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)75th percentile+30 vs school

Asian (2025)58th percentile+13 vs school

Pacific Islander (2025)37th percentile-8 vs school

Hispanic (2024)31st percentile-26 vs school

White (2025)12th percentile-33 vs school

Special Education (2025)11th percentile-34 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts49%

Science45%

Mathematics42%

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Waiakeawaena Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, June 5, 2015

THE LEADERSHIP HAVE NO VISION OR VIRTUES TO INSTILL ON THE STUDENTS OVERALL. NOT ALL BUT MANY OF THE TEACHERS SEEM TO BE MORE INTERESTED IN THE JOB ASPECT OF TEACHING THAN IN TEACHING, AND ARE WORKING FOR RETIREMENT. THE SCHOOL FOLLOWS THE TRENDS OF THE WORLD, THE GENERAL TEACHER/STUDENT RATIO IS 1/25+, AND THE PARENTS WE MINGLE WITH ALL HAVE CONCERNS AND WISH THERE WAS A BETTER SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILDREN. A COUPLE OF THE PARENTS ARE HAPPY TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN IN THE LOCAL BAND. WE HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE OUR CHILDREN OUT FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL. WE WANTED TO DO HOMESCHOOLING BUT THAT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR US AS WE WORK TOO HARD ALREADY.
WE MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THE STATE AND THE UNION HAVE ROBBED THE DUTY AND BLESSING FROM MOST OF OUR TEACHERS, AND TURNED IT INTO A JOB.
OUR CHILDREN KNOW MORE ABOUT FAIRY TALES AND NOVELS THAN ABOUT HISTORY AND REAL PEOPLE THAT COULD CHALLENGE AND BUILD MORALS, VALUES AND ETHICS TO YOUNG MINDS. WE NEVER TOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE SO MUCH WORRY ABOUT OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND INFLUENCES THAT EFFECT CHARACTER TURNING CHILDREN INTO CONSUMER HUMANOIDS AND DIGITAL NERDS, THAT LILFE IS ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY AND HAVING FUN. WE LIVE TWO BLOCKS FROM THIS SCHOOL, AND HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE OUR CHILDREN OUT OF Waiakeawaena Elementary School. IT IS VERY SAD.
. Close Quote

Schools Near Waiakeawaena 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	16-120 Opukahaia St	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 982-4260	451	32	14.3	54.8%	12 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (19.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	295 (65.4%)	54 (12.0%)	40.2	127^th of 204 public elementary schools	37.7%		1.7	206^th of 207 public elementary schools	0.5%	79	67.0	23.0	32.0	$11,792	$3,474	$8,318

Frequently Asked Questions about Waiakeawaena Elementary School

What district is Waiakeawaena Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

How many students attend Waiakeawaena Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 669 students attended Waiakeawaena Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Waiakeawaena Elementary School?

Students at Waiakeawaena Elementary School are 34% Two or more races, 27% Hispanic, 23% Pacific Islander, 12% Asian, 3% White.

What schools do graduates of Waiakeawaena Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Waiakea Intermediate School
High : Waiakea High School

Is Waiakeawaena Elementary School a good school?

Waiakeawaena Elementary School ranks 112^th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Waiakeawaena Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

HIHawaii Elementary School Rankings

HIHawaii District Rankings

Schools in Hilo, HI

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Waiakeawaena Elementary School!

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.