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Keaau Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

161^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 204 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 21% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Keaau Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Keaau, Hawaii, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 821 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.

Despite being part of a highly-ranked district, Keaau Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Hawaii elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for the majority of the past 8 school years. The school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are significantly below the state averages, and it has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 42.1%. Additionally, Keaau Elementary School has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 62.97% to 69.98% over the past three school years.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Kaumana Elementary School and Waiakea Elementary School, Keaau Elementary School is underperforming. These nearby schools have significantly higher proficiency rates and better overall performance. While the challenges faced by Keaau Elementary School, including socioeconomic factors and attendance issues, may be contributing to its low academic performance, there is an opportunity for the school to improve by learning from the successes of its higher-performing neighbors and implementing targeted interventions to address the specific needs of its student population.

829

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,336

Per pupil spending ?

62.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

16-680 Keaau-Pahoa Rd
Keaau, HI 96749

(808) 982-4210

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Keaau Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Keaau Middle School
High:	Keaau High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

28.8%

Pacific Islander:

28.5%

Two or more races:

21.7%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Keaau Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 12th percentile in 2022 → 21st in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 21st (2025) from a 12th-percentile low (2022)

Worth a look

!In the lower quartile statewide (21st percentile)

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

!Near the bottom of Hawaii Department of Education's ranking

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school34%

161^st of 204

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 21%▼ down 35 pts since 2015

From top 44% (2015) to bottom 21% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

152^nd 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	25.0	161 of 204	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.4	171 of 207	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.8	166 of 195	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.7	170 of 193	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.5	171 of 196	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.4	165 of 196	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.1	162 of 193	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	53.0	109 of 207	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	38.6	126 of 195	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	54.5	86 of 194	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	57.8	79 of 196	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	50.5	104 of 195	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	43.3	115 of 191	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2010	50.8	99 of 183	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	52.2	95 of 191	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2008	39.9	98 of 146	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	37.2	132 of 192	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	29.4	147 of 194	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	28.1	131 of 160	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	9.3	119 of 125	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	35.3	160 of 203	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	34.6	98 of 123	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.9	165 of 198	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	15.0	137 of 165	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	50.1	57 of 110	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.8	146 of 196	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	46.8	92 of 153	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	54.1	107 of 207	48.3%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	32.8	125 of 171	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	37.8	149 of 202	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆

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 (2025)48th percentile+27 vs school

Special Education (2025)40th percentile+19 vs school

White (2025)27th percentile+6 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)20th percentile~ school

African American (2024)18th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2024)17th percentile~ school

Asian (2025)5th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts39%

Mathematics35%

Science29%

★

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Schools Near Keaau 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
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	161^st of 204 public elementary schools	21.1%		21.4	171^st of 207 public elementary schools	17.4%	10	29.0	39.0	35.0	$16,336	$1,183	$15,153
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%)	40.2	127^th of 204 public elementary schools	37.7%		1.7	206^th of 207 public elementary schools	0.5%	79	67.0	23.0	32.0	$11,792	$3,474	$8,318
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%)	46.8	112^th of 204 public elementary schools	45.1%		59.6	90^th of 207 public elementary schools	56.5%	22	45.0	49.0	42.0	$16,286	$1,496	$14,790
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%)	25.8	157^th of 204 public elementary schools	23.0%		37.5	140^th of 207 public elementary schools	32.4%	17	35.0	40.0	30.0	$17,850	$1,456	$16,394
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%)	42.3	120^th of 204 public elementary schools	41.2%		56.8	97^th of 207 public elementary schools	53.1%	23	49.0	42.0	39.0	$15,167	$1,077	$14,090
Na Wai Ola - PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-7	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%)	14.4	178^th of 204 public elementary schools	12.7%		9.1	194^th of 207 public elementary schools	6.3%	16	31.0	34.0	16.0	$11,373	$3,833	$7,540
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%)	9.9	191^st of 204 public elementary schools	6.4%		14.3	187^th of 207 public elementary schools	9.7%	4	27.0	26.0	16.0	$17,738	$1,684	$16,054
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%)	36.9	130^th of 204 public elementary schools	36.3%		34.2	146^th of 207 public elementary schools	29.5%	16	41.0	46.0	35.0	$18,443	$2,308	$16,135
Kaumana Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1710 Kaumana Dr	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4190	238	15	15.8	51.7%	17 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	90 (37.8%)	12 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (17.2%)	78 (32.8%)	88.2	28^th of 204 public elementary schools	86.3%		70.2	79^th of 207 public elementary schools	61.8%	51	68.0	71.0	65.0	$17,553	$1,304	$16,249
Hilo Union Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	506 Waianuenue Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 933-0900	449	38	11.9	68.4%	31 (6.9%)	1 (0.2%)	134 (29.8%)	35 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	165 (36.7%)	83 (18.5%)	41.9	122^nd of 204 public elementary schools	40.2%		47.9	120^th of 207 public elementary schools	42.0%	2	42.0	48.0	39.0	$18,068	$1,957	$16,111

Frequently Asked Questions about Keaau Elementary School

How many students attend Keaau Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 829 students attended Keaau Elementary School.

What district is Keaau Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

Is Keaau Elementary School a good school?

Keaau Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.1% of Hawaii elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Keaau Elementary School?

Students at Keaau Elementary School are 29% Hispanic, 28% Pacific Islander, 22% Two or more races, 13% Asian, 7% White.

What schools do graduates of Keaau Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Keaau Middle School
High : Keaau High School

Rate Keaau Elementary School!

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Schools in Keaau, HI

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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.