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Makawao Elementary School

Q: Is Makawao Elementary School a good school?

Makawao Elementary School ranks 79 th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

79^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 204 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 61% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Makawao Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-5 in Makawao, Hawaii, with 483 students enrolled. 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.

While Makawao Elementary School has a lower student-teacher ratio of 13.8 compared to nearby schools, it faces several key challenges. The school has relatively high chronic absenteeism rates, with 35.6% in 2023-2024 and 32.0% in 2024-2025, significantly higher than the state average. Additionally, its test scores are generally below the state averages across all subjects and grade levels, with proficiency rates in ELA, Math, and Science at 44.77%, 43.33%, and 47.19%, respectively, compared to state averages of 50%, 53%, and 48%. The school also has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 54.45% in 2023-2024.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Kamalii Elementary School, Wailuku Elementary School, and Lihikai Elementary School, Makawao Elementary School generally underperforms in terms of test scores, chronic absenteeism, and overall statewide ranking. However, its lower student-teacher ratio could be a potential strength. The school's performance has also been declining over the past several years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 77 out of 196 in 2018-2019 to 118 out of 207 in 2023-2024, and its star rating decreasing from 4 stars in 2016-2017 to 2 stars in 2022-2023.

463

Students ?

13.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,005

Per pupil spending ?

51.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3542 Baldwin Ave
Makawao, HI 96768

(808) 573-8770

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Makawao Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate School
High:	King Kekaulike High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

27.0%

Two or more races:

24.4%

Pacific Islander:

23.1%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Makawao Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 34th percentile in 2015 → 61st in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 27 percentile points since 2015

✓Above the Hawaii median (61st percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school57%

79^th of 204

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Top 39%▲ up 28 pts since 2015

From bottom 34% (2015) to top 39% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

77^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	67.6	79 of 204	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.5	118 of 207	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.2	120 of 195	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.1	137 of 193	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	38.8	115 of 196	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	58.9	77 of 196	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.6	81 of 193	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	71.3	63 of 207	69.6%	★★★★☆
2016	59.6	77 of 195	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	35.7	129 of 194	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	61.5	69 of 196	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	77.4	34 of 195	82.6%	★★★★☆
2011	61.1	67 of 191	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	55.1	83 of 183	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2009	44.4	122 of 191	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	36.2	105 of 146	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	42.1	120 of 192	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2006	50.7	90 of 194	53.6%	★★★☆☆

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	41.4	89 of 125	28.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.3	146 of 203	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	54.6	116 of 198	41.4%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	83.9	33 of 165	80.0%	★★★★☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	82.4	18 of 110	83.6%	★★★★☆
2024	53.2	103 of 196	47.4%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	49.9	84 of 153	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	66.9	80 of 207	61.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	65.9	69 of 171	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.5	125 of 202	38.1%	★★☆☆☆

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 (2025)84th percentile+22 vs school

Hispanic (2024)80th percentile+37 vs school

White (2025)60th percentile~ school

African American (2024)54th percentile+11 vs school

Special Education (2025)45th percentile-16 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)41st percentile~ school

Asian (2025)29th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2024-2025) ?

Science67%

Mathematics54%

English Language Arts49%

★

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Schools Near Makawao 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
Makawao Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3542 Baldwin Ave	Makawao	96768	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 573-8770	463	34	13.6	51.6%	97 (21.0%)	1 (0.2%)	125 (27.0%)	20 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	107 (23.1%)	113 (24.4%)	67.6	79^th of 204 public elementary schools	61.3%		48.5	118^th of 207 public elementary schools	43.0%	39	67.0	49.0	54.0	$17,005	$1,607	$15,398
Pukalani Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2945 Iolani St	Makawao	96768	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 573-8760	455	35	13.0	43.7%	51 (11.2%)	0 (0.0%)	96 (21.1%)	48 (10.5%)	0 (0.0%)	116 (25.5%)	144 (31.6%)	72.1	70^th of 204 public elementary schools	65.7%		70.6	78^th of 207 public elementary schools	62.3%	8	57.0	58.0	58.0	$16,960	$1,640	$15,320
Paia Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	955 Baldwin Ave	Paia	96779	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 579-2100	406	22	18.4	61.8%	21 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	124 (30.5%)	8 (2.0%)	1 (0.2%)	202 (49.8%)	50 (12.3%)	51.7	103^rd of 204 public elementary schools	49.5%		34.7	145^th of 207 public elementary schools	30.0%	42	72.0	45.0	32.0	$14,717	$1,314	$13,403
Haiku Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	105 Pauwela Rd	Haiku	96708	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 575-3000	336	22	15.2	53.0%	150 (44.6%)	0 (0.0%)	73 (21.7%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	45 (13.4%)	63 (18.8%)	46.7	113^th of 204 public elementary schools	44.6%		52.8	108^th of 207 public elementary schools	47.8%	5	33.0	51.0	51.0	$16,016	$1,511	$14,505
Kula Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5000 Kula Hwy	Kula	96790	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 876-7610	339	24	14.1	49.3%	73 (21.5%)	0 (0.0%)	69 (20.4%)	13 (3.8%)	1 (0.3%)	86 (25.4%)	97 (28.6%)	54.4	97^th of 204 public elementary schools	52.5%		63.5	86^th of 207 public elementary schools	58.5%	11	56.0	50.0	41.0	$15,886	$1,087	$14,799
Kahului Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	410 S Hina Ave	Kahului	96732	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 873-3055	795	58	13.7	59.6%	17 (2.1%)	3 (0.4%)	124 (15.6%)	424 (53.3%)	0 (0.0%)	186 (23.4%)	41 (5.2%)	27.2	153^rd of 204 public elementary schools	25.0%		35.5	144^th of 207 public elementary schools	30.4%	9	38.0	36.0	33.0	$14,823	$1,257	$13,566
Lihikai Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	335 S Papa Ave	Kahului	96732	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 873-3033	632	43	14.6	61.6%	11 (1.7%)	3 (0.5%)	105 (16.6%)	273 (43.2%)	0 (0.0%)	169 (26.7%)	71 (11.2%)	40.5	126^th of 204 public elementary schools	38.2%		41	134^th of 207 public elementary schools	35.3%	8	35.0	45.0	47.0	$16,212	$1,580	$14,632
Pomaikai Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4650 S Kamehameha Ave	Kahului	96732	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 876-7610	545	37	14.7	25.9%	64 (11.7%)	1 (0.2%)	116 (21.3%)	126 (23.1%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (12.5%)	170 (31.2%)	83.5	41^st of 204 public elementary schools	79.9%		83.4	43^rd of 207 public elementary schools	79.2%	2	73.0	63.0	60.0	$15,889	$1,504	$14,385
Kihei Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	250 E Lipoa St	Kihei	96753	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 875-6818	727	59	12.3	65.7%	98 (13.5%)	0 (0.0%)	196 (27.0%)	158 (21.7%)	2 (0.3%)	156 (21.5%)	117 (16.1%)	30.5	146^th of 204 public elementary schools	28.4%		45.3	130^th of 207 public elementary schools	37.2%	16	32.0	41.0	39.0	$16,149	$1,485	$14,664
Kamalii Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	180 Kealii Alanui	Kihei	96753	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 875-6840	342	28	12.2	31.6%	139 (40.6%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (24.6%)	23 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (9.6%)	63 (18.4%)	65.8	85^th of 204 public elementary schools	58.3%		75.1	68^th of 207 public elementary schools	67.1%	17	52.0	59.0	51.0	$16,094	$1,165	$14,929

Frequently Asked Questions about Makawao Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Makawao Elementary School?

Students at Makawao Elementary School are 27% Hispanic, 24% Two or more races, 23% Pacific Islander, 21% White, 4% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Makawao Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate School
High : King Kekaulike High School

What district is Makawao Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

How many students attend Makawao Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 463 students attended Makawao Elementary School.

Is Makawao Elementary School a good school?

Makawao Elementary School ranks 79^th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Makawao Elementary 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.