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Keaau High School

Q: Is Keaau High School a good school?

Keaau High School ranks 43 rd of 65 Hawaii high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

43^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 65 Hawaii High Schools

Better than 34% of Hawaii high schools

Summary

Keaau High School is a public high school serving grades 9–12 in Keaau, Hawaii, with 1,041 students, part of the Hawaii Department of Education.

Statewide, Keaau ranked 43rd of 65 schools in 2025–2026, placing in the 34th percentile with a 2-star rating. In 2025–2026, 45% of students were proficient in English Language Arts, 14% in math, and 26% in Biology I. Math is the clearest weak spot: Keaau's 14% trails Pahoa High & Intermediate School (20%), Hilo High School (30%), and Waiakea High School (50%). The math score has stayed in the roughly 14%–18% range for several years, well below its ELA results — a gap of about 31 percentage points in 2025–2026 — so this isn't a one-year dip. ELA is more competitive: Keaau's 45% equals Hilo's and beats Pahoa's 35%, though it is far below Waiakea's 71%.

Graduation is Keaau's strongest result: 90.0% in 2024–2025, up from 87.3% and the highest among these nearby schools, including Waiakea (89.0%) and Hilo (87.0%). That stands out because 71.66% of Keaau students qualified for free/reduced lunch — far above Hilo's 50.09% and Waiakea's 40.57%. Chronic absenteeism, however, rose from 37.4% to 41.0%, more than double Waiakea's 17% and much higher than Hilo's 22%; only Pahoa (53%) was higher. The student-teacher ratio was 14.8. One bright spot: the Special Education subgroup improved from the 16th percentile and 1 star in 2023–2024 to the 69th percentile and 4 stars in 2025–2026. Overall, Keaau outperforms Pahoa and Ke Ana Laahana - PCS on several measures but trails Hilo and Waiakea.

1,041

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,149

Per pupil spending ?

71.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Rd
Keaau, HI 96749

(808) 982-4220

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Feeder schools for Keaau High School:

Elementary:	Keaau Elementary School
	Mountain View Elementary School
Middle:	Keaau Middle School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

28.9%

Hispanic:

27.8%

Two or more races:

15.9%

See top rated Hawaii high schools

Compare Keaau High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 11th percentile in 2016 → 34th in 2026

Strengths

✓92% graduate within 4 years

✓Ranking is trending up — up 23 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school28%

43^rd of 65

Hawaii public high schools ?

Bottom 34%▲ up 23 pts since 2016

From bottom 11% (2016) to bottom 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

34^th of 42High 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
2026	21.7	43 of 65	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	22.9	39 of 62	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.7	38 of 67	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.0	38 of 53	28.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.5	42 of 52	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.9	37 of 48	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.0	38 of 52	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	35.5	37 of 53	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	21.6	39 of 63	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	16.6	47 of 53	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	47.2	29 of 51	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2013	48.7	31 of 56	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.4	23 of 58	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	45.1	33 of 56	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	17.9	52 of 56	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	14.6	50 of 55	9.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	44.9	24 of 39	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2007	57.2	32 of 60	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2006	59.4	21 of 56	62.5%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	61.7	20 of 55	63.6%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2025	21.7	30 of 41	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	64.5	22 of 65	66.2%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	25.0	42 of 59	28.8%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	61.4	20 of 52	61.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	19.3	42 of 64	34.4%	★★☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	47.0	13 of 32	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	28.1	22 of 32	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.2	31 of 61	49.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	50.3	13 of 42	69.0%	★★★★☆
2025	24.5	27 of 38	28.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	0.0	56 of 67	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	26.7	31 of 53	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	24.6	37 of 51	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.0	43 of 64	32.8%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2026)69th percentile+35 vs school

African American (2024)64th percentile+20 vs school

Hispanic (2024)62nd percentile+18 vs school

Pacific Islander (2026)59th percentile+26 vs school

White (2026)42nd percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)34th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2024)29th percentile-14 vs school

Asian (2025)27th percentile-10 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts45%

Biology I26%

Mathematics14%

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Saturday, July 9, 2022

I graduated from this school in '06 feeling accomplished and fulfilled. I look back not only with nostalgia but relief that I was free from a horrid environment.

From what I recall, there were many wasted learning opportunities. I felt the school didn't challenge the students enough to reach their maximum potential. Few teachers cared about the students, and it seemed like most were only there for another paycheck.

I recall a lot of insubordination and fist fights, which made me feel uneasy about my attendance. I was one of the better-behaved students, but I often felt comfortable with my surrounding environment. Security at the school was a big joke as the education there.

If I were a parent on the Big Island, I would do everything in my power to prevent my child or children from going to this high school. I am thankful that my brother didn't have to attend and that my time there is now a distant memory. Close Quote

Schools Near Keaau High 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)	HSA Biology I (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	HSA Biology I 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 High School	Public	9-12	16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Rd	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 982-4220	1,041	70	14.8	71.7%	145 (13.9%)	8 (0.8%)	289 (27.8%)	129 (12.4%)	3 (0.3%)	301 (28.9%)	166 (15.9%)	21.7	43^rd of 65 public high schools	33.8%		22.9	39^th of 62 public high schools	37.1%	4		26.0	45.0	14.0	$17,149	$1,502	$15,647
Waiakea High School	Public	9-12	155 W Kawili St	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 974-4888	1,183	77	15.3	40.6%	102 (8.6%)	5 (0.4%)	283 (23.9%)	241 (20.4%)	1 (0.1%)	308 (26.0%)	243 (20.5%)	78.9	5^th of 65 public high schools	92.3%		67.5	9^th of 62 public high schools	85.5%	4		47.0	71.0	50.0	$16,204	$1,517	$14,687
Ke Ana Laahana - PCS	Public, Charter	7-12	160 Baker Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 961-6228	33	4	8.2	51.5%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (33.3%)	1 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (51.5%)	4 (12.1%)	3.4	62^nd of 65 public high schools	4.6%		4	59^th of 62 public high schools	4.8%	3	18.0		12.0	6.0	$13,572	$4,115	$9,457
Hilo High School	Public	9-12	556 Waianuenue Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4021	1,170	74	15.8	50.1%	85 (7.3%)	4 (0.3%)	262 (22.4%)	148 (12.6%)	0 (0.0%)	448 (38.3%)	223 (19.1%)	36.3	27^th of 65 public high schools	58.5%		34.8	30^th of 62 public high schools	51.6%	3		35.0	45.0	30.0	$17,046	$1,569	$15,477
Pahoa High & Intermediate School	Public	7-12	15-3038 Puna Rd	Pahoa	96778	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 965-2150	745	59	12.6	71.8%	71 (9.5%)	1 (0.1%)	251 (33.7%)	75 (10.1%)	6 (0.8%)	237 (31.8%)	104 (14.0%)	10.6	55^th of 65 public high schools	15.4%		10.1	53^rd of 62 public high schools	14.5%	2	14.0		35.0	20.0	$19,147	$2,115	$17,032

Frequently Asked Questions about Keaau High School

What district is Keaau High School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

What schools feed into Keaau High School?

Keaau High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Keaau Elementary School
Elementary : Mountain View Elementary School
Middle : Keaau Middle School

Is Keaau High School a good school?

Keaau High School ranks 43^rd of 65 Hawaii high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Keaau High School?

Students at Keaau High School are 29% Pacific Islander, 28% Hispanic, 16% Two or more races, 14% White, 12% Asian.

How many students attend Keaau High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,041 students attended Keaau High School.

Rate Keaau High School!

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HIHawaii High School Rankings

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Schools in Keaau, HI

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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.