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Kapalama Elementary School

Q: Is Kapalama Elementary School a good school?

Kapalama Elementary School ranks 75 th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

75^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 204 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 63% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Kapalama Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Honolulu, Hawaii, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 510 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.

Kapalama Elementary School has consistently performed above the state average in Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts and Mathematics, as well as the Hawaii State Assessment (HSA) for Science. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates were 62.21% in ELA, 58.11% in Math, and 63.64% in Science, compared to the state averages of 50%, 53%, and 48%, respectively. However, the school's performance for African American, Hispanic, and Special Education students is relatively lower, with 1 or 2 out of 5 stars. Kapalama Elementary School generally outperforms the nearby schools, such as Lanakila Elementary and Kalihi Uka Elementary, in academic performance, with higher proficiency rates in ELA, Math, and Science.

While Kapalama Elementary School has seen a decrease in its chronic absenteeism rate, from 16.5% in 2023-2024 to 14.0% in 2024-2025, it is still higher than the state's goal of 15% or less. Additionally, the school has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 54.44% to 58.49% over the past three school years, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic challenges. These factors may have implications for the school's resource allocation, support services, and strategies to address the unique needs of its diverse student population.

476

Students ?

12.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,866

Per pupil spending ?

56.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1601 North School St
Honolulu, HI 96817

(808) 832-3290

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Kapalama Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	King David Kalakaua Middle School
High:	Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School

Racial breakdown:

Asian:

61.1%

Two or more races:

15.5%

Hispanic:

12.2%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Kapalama Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 60th percentile in 2015 → 63rd in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Hawaii median (63rd percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school57%

75^th of 204

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Top 37%▲ up 3 pts since 2015

From top 40% (2015) to top 37% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

74^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	70.5	75 of 204	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	80.1	53 of 207	74.4%	★★★★☆
2023	71.4	55 of 195	71.8%	★★★★☆
2022	63.5	67 of 193	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.1	94 of 196	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.1	94 of 196	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.6	99 of 193	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	81.6	47 of 207	77.3%	★★★★☆
2016	59.9	75 of 195	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	57.2	78 of 194	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	63.6	66 of 196	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	60.6	74 of 195	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	54.9	86 of 191	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	51.0	98 of 183	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	55.8	84 of 191	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	52.3	77 of 146	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	56.5	78 of 192	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	49.5	94 of 194	51.5%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	37.0	119 of 160	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	46.9	80 of 125	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	56.6	111 of 203	45.3%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	73.6	42 of 123	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.4	96 of 198	51.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

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

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	82.4	17 of 110	84.5%	★★★★☆
2024	53.0	104 of 196	46.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	35.3	159 of 207	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	94.5	6 of 202	97.0%	★★★★★

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)

White (2024)97th percentile+23 vs school

Pacific Islander (2025)85th percentile+21 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)66th percentile+3 vs school

Asian (2025)36th percentile-27 vs school

African American (2024)26th percentile-49 vs school

Special Education (2024)23rd percentile-51 vs school

Hispanic (2024)16th percentile-58 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics59%

Science59%

English Language Arts54%

4.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, August 2, 2010

My daughther have been attending Kapalama Elementary School since first grade. She was attending St. John the Baptist in Kalihi, when we got a call regards request for district acception, everything have changed for our daughter, she has improved-- more relax and outgoing with school attendance. We were very surprise when droping her off without any problems and usually she does not want to be left alone and needed comforting.

She loves the teachers, and the programs the school have to offer and even with family events she tries to get everyone involve.
If you ask her, the only thing she does not like is lunch, she prefer having to choose what she want for lunch. Close Quote

Schools Near Kapalama 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
Kapalama Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1601 North School St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3290	476	37	12.8	56.3%	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (12.2%)	291 (61.1%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (10.5%)	74 (15.5%)	70.5	75^th of 204 public elementary schools	63.2%		80.1	53^rd of 207 public elementary schools	74.4%	22	59.0	54.0	59.0	$15,866	$1,539	$14,327
Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1240 Gulick Ave	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3210	432	31	14.1	65.3%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.5%)	180 (41.7%)	0 (0.0%)	192 (44.4%)	45 (10.4%)	20.8	164^th of 204 public elementary schools	19.6%		33.4	147^th of 207 public elementary schools	29.0%	17	30.0	37.0	29.0	$17,807	$1,789	$16,018
Linapuni Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-1	1434 Linapuni St	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3303	121	10	12.1	86.8%	2 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.1%)	2 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	103 (85.1%)	9 (7.4%)								(n/a)				$22,013	$1,530	$20,483
Kaewai Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1929 Kamehameha IV Rd	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3500	257	21	12.2	80.9%	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.4%)	69 (26.8%)	0 (0.0%)	149 (58.0%)	24 (9.3%)	18.5	170^th of 204 public elementary schools	16.7%		25.8	160^th of 207 public elementary schools	22.7%	10	34.0	33.0	24.0	$18,403	$1,847	$16,556
Princess Miriam K Likelike Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1618 Palama St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3370	227	19	11.9	74.0%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (8.8%)	94 (41.4%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (37.0%)	29 (12.8%)	53.3	102^nd of 204 public elementary schools	50.0%		47.2	122^nd of 207 public elementary schools	41.1%	20	46.0	51.0	48.0	$18,177	$1,768	$16,409
Lanakila Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	717 North Kuakini St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 587-4466	287	22	13.0	67.2%	6 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.2%)	147 (51.2%)	0 (0.0%)	94 (32.8%)	25 (8.7%)	71.5	71^st of 204 public elementary schools	65.2%		69.8	80^th of 207 public elementary schools	61.4%	9	50.0	59.0	66.0	$17,018	$1,898	$15,120
Kalihi Kai Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	626 McNeill St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3322	533	39	13.6	64.7%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.4%)	378 (70.9%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (16.5%)	38 (7.1%)	50.4	108^th of 204 public elementary schools	47.1%		62	89^th of 207 public elementary schools	57.0%	19	41.0	51.0	49.0	$17,912	$1,974	$15,938
Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1121 Middle St	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3040	384	32	12.0	74.0%	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.2%)	126 (32.8%)	0 (0.0%)	199 (51.8%)	42 (10.9%)	20.5	165^th of 204 public elementary schools	19.1%		27.3	159^th of 207 public elementary schools	23.2%	6	28.0	32.0	34.0	$17,487	$1,896	$15,591
Kalihi Uka Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2411 Kalihi St	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3310	249	15	16.6	69.1%	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.2%)	137 (55.0%)	0 (0.0%)	62 (24.9%)	31 (12.4%)	64.8	87^th of 204 public elementary schools	57.4%		71.2	77^th of 207 public elementary schools	62.8%	10	54.0	56.0	51.0	$18,128	$1,896	$16,232
Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	783 North King St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3160	244	20	12.2	78.7%	2 (0.8%)	2 (0.8%)	12 (4.9%)	81 (33.2%)	0 (0.0%)	118 (48.4%)	29 (11.9%)	17.8	172^nd of 204 public elementary schools	15.7%		23.8	165^th of 207 public elementary schools	20.3%	7	25.0	33.0	31.0	$18,513	$1,942	$16,571

Frequently Asked Questions about Kapalama Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Kapalama Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : King David Kalakaua Middle School
High : Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School

What is the racial makeup of Kapalama Elementary School?

Students at Kapalama Elementary School are 61% Asian, 16% Two or more races, 12% Hispanic, 11% Pacific Islander.

How many students attend Kapalama Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 476 students attended Kapalama Elementary School.

What district is Kapalama Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

Is Kapalama Elementary School a good school?

Kapalama Elementary School ranks 75^th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Kapalama 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.