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Kapalama Elementary School

Q: Is Kapalama Elementary School a good school?

Kapalama Elementary School ranks 77 th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

77^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 62% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Kapalama Elementary School is a PK–5 campus at 1601 North School St in the Kalihi area of Honolulu, serving 476 students through the Hawaii Department of Education, the state's single statewide district.

For 2025-2026, Kapalama ranks 77th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools — about the 62nd percentile, or 3 stars — putting it in the top third of the state. It hasn't always been there: in 2017-2018 it sat at the 49th percentile (2 stars), climbed to a peak of 74th percentile (4 stars) in 2023-2024, and has eased back over the past two cycles. Test scores dipped this year to 52% proficient in English language arts, 53% in math, and 59% in science, with science the strongest of the three. Attendance is Kapalama's standout: 14.0% chronic absenteeism in 2024-2025 is the lowest of the eleven nearby schools and roughly half the neighborhood average of about 26% — and it improved from 16.5% the year before. The school achieves this while spending the least: $15,866 per pupil, about $2,650 below the nearby-school average.

Among its Kalihi neighbors, Kapalama is one of the top three schools. Only Lanakila Elementary School clearly outperforms it academically, with Kalihi Uka Elementary School ranking close behind, while Kalihi Waena Elementary School (23rd percentile) and Kaewai Elementary School (19th) lag well behind. Kapalama also serves a lower-poverty population (56.3% free/reduced lunch, versus 64.7%–86.8% nearby), which explains part of its proficiency edge. Its students from low-income families rank at the 79th percentile (4 stars) and English language learners at the 66th percentile — both above the school's overall standing, a strong equity signal. The clearest weakness is special education, at the 21st percentile (1 star) and consistently near the bottom of the state.

476

Students ?

12.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

56.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

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 — 62nd percentile in 2016 → 62nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Hawaii median (62nd percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school55%

77^th of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Top 38%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

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	67.3	77 of 203	62.1%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	40.8	86 of 130	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	72.2	39 of 116	66.4%	★★★☆☆
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%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	81.9	42 of 202	79.2%	★★★★☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	81.9	21 of 115	81.7%	★★★★☆
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
2026	33.9	122 of 155	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆
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 (2026)82nd percentile+20 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)79th percentile+17 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)66th percentile+4 vs school

Asian (2026)34th percentile-28 vs school

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

Special Education (2026)21st percentile-41 vs school

Hispanic (2024)16th percentile-58 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

Science59%

Mathematics53%

English Language Arts52%

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

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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
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%)	67.3	77^th of 203 public elementary schools	62.1%		70.5	75^th of 204 public elementary schools	63.2%	2	59.0	52.0	53.0	$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%)	27.6	157^th of 203 public elementary schools	22.7%		20.8	164^th of 204 public elementary schools	19.6%	7	35.0	41.0	31.0	$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%)	24.2	165^th of 203 public elementary schools	18.7%		18.5	170^th of 204 public elementary schools	16.7%	5	38.0	35.0	28.0	$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%)	29.4	149^th of 203 public elementary schools	26.6%		53.3	102^nd of 204 public elementary schools	50.0%	47	30.0	41.0	38.0	$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%)	81.6	48^th of 203 public elementary schools	76.4%		71.5	71^st of 204 public elementary schools	65.2%	23	57.0	64.0	68.0	$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%)	60.1	93^rd of 203 public elementary schools	54.2%		50.4	108^th of 204 public elementary schools	47.1%	15	53.0	50.0	50.0	$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%)	26.2	162^nd of 203 public elementary schools	20.2%		20.5	165^th of 204 public elementary schools	19.1%	3	29.0	40.0	35.0	$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%)	69.9	69^th of 203 public elementary schools	66.0%		64.8	87^th of 204 public elementary schools	57.4%	18	53.0	57.0	57.0	$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%)	13.8	182^nd of 203 public elementary schools	10.3%		17.8	172^nd of 204 public elementary schools	15.7%	10	22.0	32.0	26.0	$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

Is Kapalama Elementary School a good school?

Kapalama Elementary School ranks 77^th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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

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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.