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Paia Elementary School

Q: Is Paia Elementary School a good school?

Paia Elementary School ranks 141 st of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

141^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 31% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Paia Elementary School is a PK–5 school in Paia, HI, serving 406 students as part of the Hawaii Department of Education. In 2025–2026, it ranked 141 of 203 Hawaii elementary schools (31st percentile, 2 stars), after briefly reaching the 50th percentile in 2024–25. Its academic results show a sharp split: ELA proficiency was 31% and Math was 25%, both the lowest among 10 nearby same-district elementary schools, while Science was 60%, above the nearby average of 48.1% and near the top locally. That suggests a science strength not translating into literacy and numeracy gains.

Compared with nearby schools, Paia Elementary School serves a higher-need population and has larger classes. Its free/reduced-lunch rate was 61.82% in 2024–25, the highest among the nearby schools, and its student-teacher ratio was 18.4, well above the nearby average of about 14.5. Per-student spending in 2018–19 was $14,717, below the nearby average. Chronic absenteeism was 26.0% in 2024–25—better than the nearby average of about 28.9% and better than Haiku Elementary School, Makawao Elementary School, Pukalani Elementary School, and Wailuku Elementary School—but it rose from 23.6% the prior year. Schools such as Puu Kukui Elementary School, Pomaikai Elementary School, Pukalani Elementary School, and Kula Elementary School have generally ranked higher and more consistently, while the school’s current rank is closer to Waihee Elementary School, Kahului Elementary School, and Wailuku Elementary School.

Paia Elementary School’s subgroup effectiveness is uneven. English Language Learner students ranked in the top 2% statewide in 2023–24 (3 of 198, 5 stars), and low-income students were slightly below average in 2025–26 (35th percentile). Special education students have declined sharply, reaching the 1st percentile in 2025–26. Because these figures come from different years, interpret them cautiously. The most actionable takeaways for parents are to ask how the school’s science success can support ELA and Math, and how its strong practices for some groups can be extended to others. Note that the Hawaii Department of Education district rating (5 stars) is the same for all these schools, so school-level metrics like proficiency, absenteeism, and staffing are more useful for comparing the school to its neighbors.

406

Students ?

18.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

61.8%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

955 Baldwin Ave
Paia, HI 96779

(808) 579-2100

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Paia Elementary School usually attend:

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

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

49.8%

Hispanic:

30.5%

Two or more races:

12.3%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Paia Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 50th percentile in 2025 → 31st in 2026

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 50th-percentile peak (2025) to 31st (2026)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school39%

141^st of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 31%▲ up 13 pts since 2016

From bottom 18% (2016) to bottom 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	35.7	141 of 203	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	51.7	103 of 204	49.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	34.7	145 of 207	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.0	113 of 195	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	32.6	127 of 196	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.4	136 of 196	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	27.7	154 of 193	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	31.1	159 of 207	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	22.6	160 of 195	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	27.6	148 of 194	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	45.4	122 of 196	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	29.5	156 of 195	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	59.6	71 of 191	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2010	44.7	115 of 183	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	48.4	106 of 191	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2007	53.2	90 of 192	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2006	77.6	31 of 194	84.0%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	84.2	38 of 160	76.3%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	2.7	200 of 203	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	99.9	3 of 198	98.5%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	38.0	132 of 202	34.7%	★★☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	93.7	18 of 196	90.8%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	12.5	153 of 155	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	29.3	126 of 153	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	45.1	131 of 207	36.7%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	36.2	127 of 173	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	39.1	118 of 171	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.7	143 of 202	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

English Language Learner (2024)98th percentile+69 vs school

Pacific Islander (2024)91st percentile+61 vs school

African American (2024)76th percentile+46 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)35th percentile+4 vs school

White (2026)27th percentile-4 vs school

Asian (2024)1st percentile-28 vs school

Special Education (2026)1st percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

Science60%

English Language Arts31%

Mathematics25%

★

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Schools Near Paia Elementary 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 (2026)				Ranking (2025)				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 (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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
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%)	35.7	141^st of 203 public elementary schools	30.5%		51.7	103^rd of 204 public elementary schools	49.5%	38	60.0	31.0	25.0	$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%)	59.8	94^th of 203 public elementary schools	53.7%		46.7	113^th of 204 public elementary schools	44.6%	19	48.0	58.0	45.0	$16,016	$1,511	$14,505
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%)	69.4	71^st of 203 public elementary schools	65.0%		72.1	70^th of 204 public elementary schools	65.7%	1	62.0	52.0	54.0	$16,960	$1,640	$15,320
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%)	47.1	112^th of 203 public elementary schools	44.8%		67.6	79^th of 204 public elementary schools	61.3%	33	42.0	47.0	46.0	$17,005	$1,607	$15,398
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%)	38.3	135^th of 203 public elementary schools	33.5%		27.2	153^rd of 204 public elementary schools	25.0%	18	44.0	42.0	37.0	$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%)	52.4	103^rd of 203 public elementary schools	49.3%		40.5	126^th of 204 public elementary schools	38.2%	23	45.0	50.0	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%)	71.5	65^th of 203 public elementary schools	68.0%		83.5	41^st of 204 public elementary schools	79.9%	24	61.0	59.0	49.0	$15,889	$1,504	$14,385
Wailuku Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	355 S High St	Wailuku	96793	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 984-5622	550	37	14.8	59.8%	20 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	137 (24.9%)	88 (16.0%)	0 (0.0%)	202 (36.7%)	103 (18.7%)	26	163^rd of 203 public elementary schools	19.7%		21.6	163^rd of 204 public elementary schools	20.1%		31.0	37.0	36.0	$16,965	$1,443	$15,522
Puu Kukui Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3700 Kehalani Mauka Parkway	Wailuku	96793	Maui County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 727-3000	750	47	15.9	33.6%	84 (11.2%)	1 (0.1%)	155 (20.7%)	148 (19.7%)	0 (0.0%)	157 (20.9%)	205 (27.3%)	82.7	43^rd of 203 public elementary schools	78.8%		75.6	63^rd of 204 public elementary schools	69.1%	20	62.0	67.0	59.0	$14,352	$805	$13,547
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%)	63.5	85^th of 203 public elementary schools	58.1%		54.4	97^th of 204 public elementary schools	52.5%	12	44.0	59.0	54.0	$15,886	$1,087	$14,799

Frequently Asked Questions about Paia Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Paia Elementary School attend?

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

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

How many students attend Paia Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 406 students attended Paia Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Paia Elementary School?

Students at Paia Elementary School are 50% Pacific Islander, 31% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 5% White, 2% Asian.

Is Paia Elementary School a good school?

Paia Elementary School ranks 141^st of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Paia Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

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Latest Hawaii data All new data »

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 graduation ratesSep 19, 2026

2025–26 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresSep 19, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 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.