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Nanakuli Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-6

200^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 1% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Nanakuli Elementary School is a PK–6 public elementary school in Waianae, Hawaii, serving 384 students as part of the Hawaii Department of Education; it is the smallest school in its nearby comparison group and serves a high-poverty population, with 75.78% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025.

Academically, the school is currently in the bottom tier of Hawaii elementary schools. In 2025–2026 it ranked 200th of 203 schools (1st percentile, 0 stars), with proficiency rates of 18% in English language arts, 19% in math, and 17% in science. Those results are far below nearby schools such as Kapolei Elementary School (71% ELA, 63% math, 62% science) and Hookele Elementary School (63% ELA, 65% math, 69% science) — gaps of 44 to 53 points in most subjects. Nanakuli's results are closer to other Waianae Coast schools like Waianae Elementary School and Nanaikapono Elementary School, which also rank in the bottom tier. The trend is a long decline, from the 32nd percentile in 2018–2019 to the 1st percentile in 2025–2026, including a notable math drop this year. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern at 50.0% in 2024–2025, compared with 12.0% at Hookele Elementary School and 24.0% at Kapolei Elementary School.

Two things stand out for parents. First, poverty is high here, but it does not fully explain the results: Waianae Elementary School (86.73% free/reduced lunch) and Nanaikapono Elementary School (80.23%) serve higher-poverty populations yet ranked slightly above Nanakuli in 2025–2026. Second, resources look relatively reasonable — a student-teacher ratio of 13.2, lower than most nearby schools, and per-student spending of $16,898 in 2018–2019, higher than several higher-performing peers. Reported effectiveness is also uneven across student groups, with English Language Learner, Special Education, and Low Socio Economic Status students ranking near the bottom. Attendance, instructional effectiveness, and targeted student support appear to be the areas most worth asking about.

384

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

75.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

89-778 Haleakala Ave
Waianae, HI 96792

(808) 668-5813

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Nanakuli Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Nanakuli High & Intermediate School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

69.8%

Hispanic:

18.2%

Two or more races:

9.6%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Nanakuli Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 17th percentile in 2016 → 1st in 2026

Worth a look

!In the lower quartile statewide (1st percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 16 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school18%

200^th of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From bottom 17% (2016) to bottom 1% (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	6.3	200 of 203	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	9.2	193 of 204	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	14.5	186 of 207	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	13.4	178 of 195	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	13.7	173 of 193	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	20.0	162 of 196	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	32.4	134 of 196	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	31.7	142 of 193	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	25.6	165 of 207	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	22.1	161 of 195	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	16.3	171 of 194	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	24.6	168 of 196	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	29.8	155 of 195	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	29.4	156 of 191	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	6.8	182 of 183	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	6.2	187 of 191	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	15.0	135 of 146	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	15.4	177 of 192	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	26.0	160 of 194	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆

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
2024	36.8	155 of 203	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	0.0	184 of 198	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	95.0	20 of 165	87.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	8.7	196 of 202	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	67.4	76 of 196	61.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	0.0	183 of 207	11.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	5.4	198 of 202	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

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+89 vs school

Hispanic (2024)88th percentile+78 vs school

Pacific Islander (2024)61st percentile+51 vs school

Asian (2024)24th percentile+14 vs school

Special Education (2024)12th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2024)7th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)3rd percentile~ school

White (2024)2nd percentile-8 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics19%

English Language Arts18%

Science17%

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Monday, August 29, 2011

The team of teachers, staff, custodians, librarian, and principal are all committed to students being independent thinkers for the challenges of the future. Everyone uses evaluation of students to revise instruction to meet student needs. Students are our only resource. Close Quote

Schools Near Nanakuli 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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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
Nanakuli Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	89-778 Haleakala Ave	Waianae	96792	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 668-5813	384	29	13.2	75.8%	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	70 (18.2%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	268 (69.8%)	37 (9.6%)	6.3	200^th of 203 public elementary schools	1.5%		9.2	193^rd of 204 public elementary schools	5.4%	7	17.0	18.0	19.0	$16,898	$1,506	$15,392
Nanaikapono Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	89-153 Mano Ave	Waianae	96792	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 668-5800	688	55	12.5	80.2%	9 (1.3%)	5 (0.7%)	150 (21.8%)	40 (5.8%)	2 (0.3%)	393 (57.1%)	89 (12.9%)	8.4	192^nd of 203 public elementary schools	5.4%		5.8	201^st of 204 public elementary schools	1.5%	9	17.0	29.0	19.0	$17,250	$1,794	$15,456
Ka Waihona o ka Naauao - PCS	Public, Charter	K-8	89-195 Farrington Hwy	Waianae	96792	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 668-9030	707	48	14.7	61.7%	11 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	177 (25.0%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	461 (65.2%)	55 (7.8%)	9.5	189^th of 203 public elementary schools	6.9%		7.3	197^th of 204 public elementary schools	3.4%	8	18.0	28.0	22.0	$9,080	$771	$8,309
Maili Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	87-360 Kulaaupuni St	Waianae	96792	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 697-7150	609	41	14.8	65.0%	22 (3.6%)	5 (0.8%)	182 (29.9%)	73 (12.0%)	0 (0.0%)	228 (37.4%)	99 (16.3%)	14.2	181^st of 203 public elementary schools	10.8%		25.3	159^th of 204 public elementary schools	22.1%	22	20.0	32.0	28.0	$17,151	$1,912	$15,239
Mauka Lani Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	92-1300 Panana St	Kapolei	96707	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 672-1100	549	37	14.8	41.7%	51 (9.3%)	14 (2.6%)	162 (29.5%)	73 (13.3%)	0 (0.0%)	100 (18.2%)	149 (27.1%)	65.2	82^nd of 203 public elementary schools	59.6%		60.7	92^nd of 204 public elementary schools	54.9%	10	61.0	52.0	48.0	$15,964	$1,002	$14,962
Makakilo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	92-675 Anipeahi St	Kapolei	96707	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 672-1122	454	32	14.1	47.4%	23 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	105 (23.1%)	106 (23.3%)	1 (0.2%)	75 (16.5%)	144 (31.7%)	68.9	73^rd of 203 public elementary schools	64.0%		70.7	74^th of 204 public elementary schools	63.7%	1	44.0	63.0	59.0	$15,720	$936	$14,784
Leihoku Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	86-285 Leihoku St	Waianae	96792	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 697-7100	756	70	10.8	73.5%	24 (3.2%)	2 (0.3%)	207 (27.4%)	49 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	381 (50.4%)	93 (12.3%)	49	108^th of 203 public elementary schools	46.8%		42.9	119^th of 204 public elementary schools	41.7%	11	45.0	51.0	41.0	$15,254	$1,415	$13,839
Waianae Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	85-220 McArthur St	Waianae	96792	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 697-7083	407	31	13.1	86.7%	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	117 (28.7%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	239 (58.7%)	42 (10.3%)	6.9	197^th of 203 public elementary schools	3.0%		9.7	192^nd of 204 public elementary schools	5.9%	5	21.0	17.0	18.0	$17,358	$1,921	$15,437
Barbers Point Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3001 Boxer Rd	Kapolei	96707	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 673-7400	522	33	15.8	68.8%	41 (7.9%)	15 (2.9%)	121 (23.2%)	41 (7.9%)	0 (0.0%)	210 (40.2%)	94 (18.0%)	16.7	176^th of 203 public elementary schools	13.3%		27.1	154^th of 204 public elementary schools	24.5%	22	25.0	35.0	27.0	$16,523	$1,843	$14,680
Hookele Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	91-511 Kunehi St	Kapolei	96707	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 305-8500	717	49	14.7	27.5%	61 (8.5%)	18 (2.5%)	182 (25.4%)	156 (21.8%)	5 (0.7%)	128 (17.9%)	167 (23.3%)	85.6	35^th of 203 public elementary schools	82.8%		75.9	62^nd of 204 public elementary schools	69.6%	27	69.0	63.0	65.0	$14,407	$1,130	$13,277

Frequently Asked Questions about Nanakuli Elementary School

How many students attend Nanakuli Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 384 students attended Nanakuli Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Nanakuli Elementary School attend?

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

High : Nanakuli High & Intermediate School

What district is Nanakuli Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

What is the racial makeup of Nanakuli Elementary School?

Students at Nanakuli Elementary School are 70% Pacific Islander, 18% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Nanakuli Elementary School a good school?

Nanakuli Elementary School ranks in the bottom 1.5% of Hawaii elementary schools.

Rate Nanakuli Elementary School!

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Latest Hawaii data All new data »

2025–26 graduation ratesSep 19, 2026

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

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 18, 2025

2024–25 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresSep 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.