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Pahoa Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-6

195^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 4% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Pahoa Elementary School is a PK–6 school in Pahoa, HI, serving 402 students in the Hawaii Department of Education. In 2025–2026, SchoolDigger ranked it 195th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools—the 4th percentile, with 0 stars. That continues a long downward trend: it was 138th of 195 (29th percentile, 2 stars) in 2015–2016, fell to 176th of 196 (10th percentile, 1 star) in 2020–2021, and has been in the bottom 10th percentile for six straight reported years, including 5th percentile in 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, 8th in 2023–2024, 7th in 2024–2025, and 4th in 2025–2026.

Academically, 2025–2026 proficiency was 23% in English Language Arts, 21% in math, and 15% in science. ELA and math have stayed persistently low in recent years, while science dropped from 35.19% in 2023–2024 to 25% in 2024–2025 and then 15%. Chronic absenteeism was 47.0% in 2024–2025, up from 44.0% the year before—the highest rate among the nearby schools reviewed. The free/reduced-lunch rate was 81.84% in 2024–2025, also the highest in that comparison group. Available resource metrics were more middle-of-the-pack: the student–teacher ratio was 13.8 in 2024–2025, and per-student spending was $17,183 in 2018–2019.

Compared with nearby schools, Pahoa lags in several ways. Keonepoko Elementary School, the closest school, had similar ELA and math but much higher science (33% vs. 15%), lower chronic absenteeism (36% vs. 47.0%), and lower free/reduced lunch (69.91% vs. 81.84%). Mountain View Elementary School also has high poverty and absenteeism but outperformed Pahoa in every tested subject (ELA 34 vs. 23, math 26 vs. 21, science 32 vs. 15). Higher-ranked Hilo-area schools such as Kaumana Elementary School, Waiakeawaena Elementary School, and Keaukaha Elementary School generally had proficiency well above Pahoa’s. Subgroup data also show broad challenges: low-income and special education students have ranked among the lowest groups statewide. Overall, Pahoa faces concentrated economic disadvantage and very high absenteeism while producing academic outcomes among the lowest in its region and state.

402

Students ?

13.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

81.8%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

15-3030 Puna Rd
Pahoa, HI 96778

(808) 965-2141

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Pahoa Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Pahoa High & Intermediate School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

31.3%

Hispanic:

30.6%

Two or more races:

21.1%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Pahoa Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 29th percentile in 2016 → 4th in 2026

Worth a look

!In the lower quartile statewide (4th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 25 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school20%

195^th of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 4%▼ down 25 pts since 2016

From bottom 29% (2016) to bottom 4% (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	7.3	195 of 203	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	10.2	190 of 204	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	13.2	190 of 207	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.0	186 of 195	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.6	183 of 193	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	13.1	176 of 196	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.6	158 of 196	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.4	168 of 193	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	31.3	158 of 207	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	33.6	138 of 195	29.2%	★★☆☆☆
2015	45.4	106 of 194	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	60.5	73 of 196	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	37.2	142 of 195	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	27.0	159 of 191	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	35.2	135 of 183	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	15.7	174 of 191	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	21.8	123 of 146	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	24.0	160 of 192	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	19.7	174 of 194	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	32.3	125 of 160	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	38.0	154 of 203	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	34.0	162 of 198	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	52.6	95 of 165	42.4%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	10.8	194 of 202	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	19.5	103 of 115	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	8.8	107 of 110	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	39.3	133 of 196	32.1%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	13.2	151 of 153	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	45.1	132 of 207	36.2%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	5.3	168 of 173	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	4.3	167 of 171	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	21.0	184 of 202	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2024)42nd percentile+34 vs school

Asian (2024)24th percentile+16 vs school

African American (2024)22nd percentile+14 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)18th percentile+10 vs school

Pacific Islander (2026)10th percentile+6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)4th percentile~ school

White (2026)3rd percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)1st percentile-6 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts23%

Mathematics21%

Science15%

★

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Schools Near Pahoa 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
Pahoa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	15-3030 Puna Rd	Pahoa	96778	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 965-2141	402	29	13.8	81.8%	43 (10.7%)	4 (1.0%)	123 (30.6%)	19 (4.7%)	2 (0.5%)	126 (31.3%)	85 (21.1%)	7.3	195^th of 203 public elementary schools	3.9%		10.2	190^th of 204 public elementary schools	6.9%	5	15.0	23.0	21.0	$17,183	$1,406	$15,777
Keonepoko Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	15-890 Kahakai Blvd	Pahoa	96778	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 965-2131	565	45	12.5	69.9%	52 (9.2%)	3 (0.5%)	200 (35.4%)	12 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	200 (35.4%)	98 (17.3%)	13.8	183^rd of 203 public elementary schools	9.9%		12.2	183^rd of 204 public elementary schools	10.3%		33.0	24.0	20.0	$18,851	$2,116	$16,735
Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	16-120 Opukahaia St	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 982-4260	451	32	14.3	54.8%	12 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (19.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	295 (65.4%)	54 (12.0%)	6.9	198^th of 203 public elementary schools	2.5%		40.2	127^th of 204 public elementary schools	37.7%	71	21.0	22.0	16.0	$11,792	$3,474	$8,318
Keaau Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	16-680 Keaau-Pahoa Rd	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 982-4210	829	56	14.8	62.6%	59 (7.1%)	7 (0.8%)	239 (28.8%)	106 (12.8%)	2 (0.2%)	236 (28.5%)	180 (21.7%)	25.9	164^th of 203 public elementary schools	19.2%		25	161^st of 204 public elementary schools	21.1%	3	27.0	41.0	35.0	$16,336	$1,183	$15,153
Mountain View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	18-1235 Volcano Hwy	Mountain View	96771	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 968-2300	468	39	12.0	73.3%	63 (13.5%)	0 (0.0%)	161 (34.4%)	17 (3.6%)	1 (0.2%)	137 (29.3%)	89 (19.0%)	19	174^th of 203 public elementary schools	14.3%		25.8	157^th of 204 public elementary schools	23.0%	17	32.0	34.0	26.0	$17,850	$1,456	$16,394
Na Wai Ola - PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	18-1355 Volcano Hwy	Mountain View	96771	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 968-2318	145	10	14.5	57.2%	34 (23.4%)	2 (1.4%)	33 (22.8%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (30.3%)	31 (21.4%)	10.2	187^th of 203 public elementary schools	7.9%		14.4	178^th of 204 public elementary schools	12.7%	9	29.0	30.0	7.0	$11,373	$3,833	$7,540
Waiakeawaena Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2420 Kilauea Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 981-7200	669	52	12.8	51.4%	23 (3.4%)	1 (0.1%)	182 (27.2%)	80 (12.0%)	0 (0.0%)	155 (23.2%)	228 (34.1%)	66	79^th of 203 public elementary schools	61.1%		46.8	112^th of 204 public elementary schools	45.1%	33	52.0	55.0	54.0	$16,286	$1,496	$14,790
Waiakea Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	180 W Puainako St	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 981-7215	706	47	15.0	53.1%	24 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	166 (23.5%)	104 (14.7%)	0 (0.0%)	208 (29.5%)	204 (28.9%)	41.3	128^th of 203 public elementary schools	36.9%		42.3	120^th of 204 public elementary schools	41.2%	8	51.0	42.0	34.0	$15,167	$1,077	$14,090
Keaukaha Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	240 Desha Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4181	341	28	12.1	68.3%	5 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	91 (26.7%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	201 (58.9%)	41 (12.0%)	42.7	124^th of 203 public elementary schools	38.9%		36.9	130^th of 204 public elementary schools	36.3%	6	43.0	46.0	40.0	$18,443	$2,308	$16,135
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	966 Kilauea Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4160	354	25	14.1	65.0%	14 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	81 (22.9%)	42 (11.9%)	0 (0.0%)	129 (36.4%)	88 (24.9%)	20.7	172^nd of 203 public elementary schools	15.3%		9.9	191^st of 204 public elementary schools	6.4%	19	38.0	29.0	26.0	$17,738	$1,684	$16,054

Frequently Asked Questions about Pahoa Elementary School

Is Pahoa Elementary School a good school?

Pahoa Elementary School ranks in the bottom 3.9% of Hawaii elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Pahoa Elementary School attend?

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

High : Pahoa High & Intermediate School

What is the racial makeup of Pahoa Elementary School?

Students at Pahoa Elementary School are 31% Pacific Islander, 31% Hispanic, 21% Two or more races, 11% White, 5% Asian.

What district is Pahoa Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

How many students attend Pahoa Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 402 students attended Pahoa Elementary School.

Rate Pahoa 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.