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Kaala Elementary School

Q: Is Kaala Elementary School a good school?

Kaala Elementary School ranks 119 th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

119^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 41% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Kaala Elementary School is a PK–5 public school serving 381 students in Wahiawa, a community in central Oahu, and is part of the Hawaii Department of Education. Statewide, Kaala ranked 119th of 203 schools in 2025–2026, placing it in the 41st percentile with a 2-star rating. It has generally been a 2-star school since 2015–2016, with occasional 3-star years; it reached 95th of 204 (53rd percentile, 3 stars) in 2024–2025 before slipping back in 2025–2026. The school is smaller than several nearby schools, including Major Sheldon Wheeler Elementary School (598), and similar in size to Helemano Elementary School (417).

Two context points stand out. Kaala has the highest free/reduced lunch rate (71.92% in 2024–2025) and the highest chronic absenteeism (28.0%) among its nearby comparison schools, where absenteeism ranges from 6% to 21%. At the same time, its staffing and funding look comparatively strong: a student-teacher ratio of 11.9 — second-lowest nearby, behind Helemano Elementary School at 11.2 — and per-student spending of $17,745 in 2018–2019, the highest among the nearby schools listed.

Academically, math is Kaala's relative strength — 55% proficiency in 2025–2026, well above Sergeant Samuel K Solomon Elementary School (37%) and Daniel K Inouye Elementary School (45%), and comparable to Wahiawa Elementary School (54%) and Major Sheldon Wheeler Elementary School (57%). English language arts (41%) and science (36%) are the lowest among the nearby schools shown, and both fell from the year before. Special education students remain a persistent area needing attention — 2 stars for three straight years — while the school has been a consistent relative bright spot for its Pacific Islander students. One instructive comparison: Helemano Elementary School serves a similarly high-poverty population with similar per-student spending yet posts ELA 64%, math 60%, science 70%, and ranks 38th. Overall, Kaala is a high-need school with genuine bright spots in math and clear work ahead in attendance, ELA, and science.

381

Students ?

11.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

71.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

130 California Ave
Wahiawa, HI 96786

(808) 622-6366

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Kaala Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Wahiawa Middle School
High:	Leilehua High School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

40.4%

Hispanic:

25.2%

Asian:

17.3%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Kaala Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 52nd percentile in 2016 → 41st in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 11 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

119^th of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 41%▼ down 11 pts since 2016

From top 48% (2016) to bottom 41% (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	44.2	119 of 203	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	58.4	95 of 204	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.1	106 of 207	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.7	116 of 195	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.9	134 of 193	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.6	130 of 196	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	48.3	101 of 196	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.2	104 of 193	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	67.0	73 of 207	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	54.6	93 of 195	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	39.1	122 of 194	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2013	48.7	105 of 196	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	57.2	82 of 195	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	39.0	129 of 191	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	46.4	112 of 183	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	57.1	78 of 191	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	47.4	87 of 146	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	36.9	133 of 192	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2006	15.1	180 of 194	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	45.9	79 of 130	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	94.4	2 of 125	98.4%	★★★★★
2024	60.5	107 of 203	47.3%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	49.7	72 of 116	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	75.8	39 of 123	68.3%	★★★★☆
2024	78.7	61 of 198	69.2%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	0.0	138 of 165	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	47.7	111 of 202	45.0%	★★☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	69.0	41 of 115	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	69.9	34 of 110	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.3	89 of 196	54.6%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	46.1	93 of 155	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.4	101 of 153	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	50.5	117 of 207	43.5%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	34.4	129 of 173	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	60.9	77 of 171	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.3	71 of 202	64.9%	★★★☆☆

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 (2026)64th percentile+23 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)45th percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2026)40th percentile~ school

Asian (2026)39th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2026)38th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)25th percentile-16 vs school

Hispanic (2024)16th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics55%

English Language Arts41%

Science36%

3.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, December 12, 2010

Ka'ala is focused on student academic achievement and addressing the needs of all students. Close Quote

Schools Near Kaala 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
Kaala Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	130 California Ave	Wahiawa	96786	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 622-6366	381	32	11.9	71.9%	6 (1.6%)	3 (0.8%)	96 (25.2%)	66 (17.3%)	0 (0.0%)	154 (40.4%)	56 (14.7%)	44.2	119^th of 203 public elementary schools	41.4%		58.4	95^th of 204 public elementary schools	53.4%	24	36.0	41.0	55.0	$17,745	$1,753	$15,992
Major Sheldon Wheeler Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1 Wheeler Army Airfield	Wahiawa	96786	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 622-6400	598	41	14.7	43.8%	214 (35.8%)	76 (12.7%)	177 (29.6%)	34 (5.7%)	2 (0.3%)	24 (4.0%)	71 (11.9%)	70.1	68^th of 203 public elementary schools	66.5%		73.3	68^th of 204 public elementary schools	66.7%		49.0	61.0	57.0	$15,947	$1,187	$14,760
Daniel K Inouye Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	Waianae & Ayres Ave	Wahiawa	96786	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 622-6380	591	42	14.0	28.6%	262 (44.3%)	69 (11.7%)	136 (23.0%)	26 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.0%)	80 (13.5%)	43.5	122^nd of 203 public elementary schools	39.9%		54.3	99^th of 204 public elementary schools	51.5%	23	39.0	46.0	45.0	$15,984	$1,114	$14,870
Wahiawa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1402 Glen Ave	Wahiawa	96786	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 622-6393	429	34	12.6	59.4%	32 (7.5%)	11 (2.6%)	101 (23.5%)	57 (13.3%)	0 (0.0%)	135 (31.5%)	93 (21.7%)	67.8	76^th of 203 public elementary schools	62.6%		51.3	105^th of 204 public elementary schools	48.5%	29	56.0	54.0	54.0	$17,407	$1,308	$16,099
Helemano Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1001 Ihi Ihi Ave	Wahiawa	96786	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 622-6336	417	37	11.2	59.2%	30 (7.2%)	15 (3.6%)	95 (22.8%)	115 (27.6%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (13.7%)	105 (25.2%)	84.6	38^th of 203 public elementary schools	81.3%		84.2	38^th of 204 public elementary schools	81.4%		70.0	64.0	60.0	$17,669	$1,595	$16,074
Sergeant Samuel K Solomon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1 Schofield Barracks	Wahiawa	96786	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 624-9500	681	54	12.6	52.4%	206 (30.2%)	84 (12.3%)	237 (34.8%)	24 (3.5%)	2 (0.3%)	43 (6.3%)	85 (12.5%)	40.3	130^th of 203 public elementary schools	36.0%		41.5	123^rd of 204 public elementary schools	39.7%	7	39.0	49.0	37.0	$16,452	$1,545	$14,907
Iliahi Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2035 California Ave	Wahiawa	96786	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 622-6411	313	24	13.0	53.0%	6 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (26.8%)	52 (16.6%)	0 (0.0%)	70 (22.4%)	101 (32.3%)	68.1	74^th of 203 public elementary schools	63.5%		80.5	51^st of 204 public elementary schools	75.0%	23	50.0	58.0	56.0	$17,456	$1,564	$15,892
Kipapa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	95-076 Kipapa Dr	Mililani	96789	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 627-7322	473	36	13.1	47.6%	18 (3.8%)	2 (0.4%)	111 (23.5%)	89 (18.8%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (15.2%)	181 (38.3%)	85.5	36^th of 203 public elementary schools	82.3%		75.2	65^th of 204 public elementary schools	68.1%	29	68.0	62.0	68.0	$17,333	$1,364	$15,969
Mililani Mauka Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	95-1111 Makaikai St	Mililani	96789	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 626-3350	623	43	14.4	17.0%	31 (5.0%)	8 (1.3%)	109 (17.5%)	184 (29.5%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (8.7%)	237 (38.0%)	97.7	4^th of 203 public elementary schools	98.0%		96.8	6^th of 204 public elementary schools	97.1%	2	86.0	79.0	82.0	$16,448	$1,084	$15,364
Mililani Waena Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	95-502 Kipapa Dr	Mililani	96789	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 627-7300	642	49	13.1	29.4%	40 (6.2%)	8 (1.2%)	165 (25.7%)	141 (22.0%)	0 (0.0%)	82 (12.8%)	206 (32.1%)	78.8	55^th of 203 public elementary schools	72.9%		86.1	35^th of 204 public elementary schools	82.8%	20	59.0	61.0	62.0	$14,248	$785	$13,463

Frequently Asked Questions about Kaala Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Kaala Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Wahiawa Middle School
High : Leilehua High School

What district is Kaala Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

How many students attend Kaala Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 381 students attended Kaala Elementary School.

Is Kaala Elementary School a good school?

Kaala Elementary School ranks 119^th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Kaala Elementary School?

Students at Kaala Elementary School are 40% Pacific Islander, 25% Hispanic, 17% Asian, 15% Two or more races, 2% White.

Rate Kaala Elementary School!

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HIHawaii Elementary School Rankings

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Schools in Wahiawa, HI

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Latest Hawaii data All new data »

2025–26 graduation ratesNewSep 19, 2026

2025–26 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewSep 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.