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Kua o ka La - NCPCS

Q: Is Kua o ka La - NCPCS a good school?

Kua o ka La - NCPCS ranks 116 th of 203 Hawaii alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades PK, KG-9

116^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Alternative Schools

Better than 43% of Hawaii alternative schools

Summary

Kua o ka La - NCPCS is a small alternative public charter school in Hilo, Hawaii, serving about 185 students in grades PK through 9 as part of the Hawaii Department of Education. It is the smallest of four alternative charter schools in the area and the only one that stops at grade 9 — the others, Connections - New Century PCS, Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS, and Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science PCS, all continue through grade 12. Because it has no high school grades, it reports no graduation rate, and its test results cover a narrower grade span than its neighbors, so comparisons are useful but not perfectly equal.

Academically, Kua o ka La looks strong. In 2025–2026 it had the highest English language arts proficiency (54%) and the highest math proficiency (32%) among the four schools, just ahead of the much larger Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science PCS. Science proficiency was 46%, second to Hawaii Academy's 51% but well above Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS (36%) and Connections - New Century PCS (29%). The trend line is encouraging: ELA rose from 34% in 2022–2023 to 54% in 2025–2026, math improved from 24% to 32% with a dip in 2023–2024, and science jumped from 22% to 46% in a single year — a swing that deserves caution given the school's small enrollment.

The clearest challenge is attendance. Chronic absenteeism was 39.0% in 2024–2025, improved from 42.5% but still above Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science PCS (25.0%) and Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS (29.0%); only Connections - New Century PCS was higher, at 59.0%. About 74% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and per-student spending was $17,711 in 2018–2019 — second highest in this group — with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8. Overall, Kua o ka La delivers comparatively strong and improving academics; attendance is the area to watch.

185

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

74.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

345 Makalika
Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 981-5866

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

35.1%

Hispanic:

26.5%

Two or more races:

20.5%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Kua o ka La - NCPCS to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 14th percentile in 2021 → 66th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 52 percentile points since 2021

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

Elementary school

116^th of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Bottom 43%▲ up 24 pts since 2017

From bottom 18% (2017) to bottom 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

29^th of 85

Hawaii public middle schools ?

Top 34%▲ up 24 pts since 2017

From bottom 41% (2017) to top 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Middle 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	46.1	116 of 203	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	21.8	162 of 204	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.2	172 of 207	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.1	154 of 195	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.1	138 of 193	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	17.4	168 of 196	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.3	166 of 196	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	28.3	152 of 193	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	23.9	169 of 207	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	3.3	193 of 194	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	5.0	193 of 196	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	1.7	193 of 195	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	95.6	3 of 160	98.1%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	82.6	38 of 203	81.3%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	99.9	2 of 198	99.0%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	59.3	89 of 202	55.9%	★★★☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	0.0	183 of 196	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	40.5	145 of 207	30.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	47.8	107 of 173	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	40.9	115 of 171	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.7	138 of 202	31.7%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	46.1	29 of 85	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	21.8	53 of 84	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	21.2	60 of 89	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.6	53 of 73	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	11.8	61 of 67	9.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	23.9	48 of 82	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	11.1	72 of 76	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	4.9	70 of 73	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	8.2	68 of 71	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	1.0	65 of 65	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	13.1	66 of 71	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	25.0	55 of 69	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	95.6	1 of 71	98.6%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	82.6	4 of 87	95.4%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	99.9	2 of 81	97.5%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	59.3	20 of 84	76.2%	★★★★☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	0.0	75 of 81	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	40.5	42 of 89	52.8%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	47.8	27 of 75	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	40.9	31 of 74	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.7	43 of 86	50.0%	★★★☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2017	23.9	37 of 63	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	3.9	52 of 53	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	4.4	54 of 56	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	3.3	58 of 58	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	27.4	44 of 56	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	10.2	52 of 55	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	6.4	58 of 60	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

English Language Learner (2024)99th percentile+82 vs school

African American (2024)98th percentile+81 vs school

Asian (2024)81st percentile+64 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)56th percentile+13 vs school

White (2026)38th percentile-5 vs school

Special Education (2024)30th percentile+13 vs school

Pacific Islander (2024)7th percentile-10 vs school

Middle school

African American (2024)99th percentile+66 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)98th percentile+65 vs school

Asian (2024)95th percentile+63 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)76th percentile+10 vs school

White (2026)64th percentile~ school

Special Education (2024)53rd percentile+20 vs school

Pacific Islander (2024)7th percentile-25 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts54%

Science46%

Mathematics32%

★

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Schools Near Kua o ka La - NCPCS

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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 ()				Ranking ()				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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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
Kua o ka La - NCPCS	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-9	345 Makalika	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 981-5866	185	13	14.8	74.1%	28 (15.1%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (26.5%)	5 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (35.1%)	38 (20.5%)								(n/a)	46.0	54.0	32.0	$17,711	$6,696	$11,015
Connections - New Century PCS	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	174 Kamehameha Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 961-3664	352	30	11.9	75.0%	53 (15.1%)	6 (1.7%)	87 (24.7%)	11 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	121 (34.4%)	74 (21.0%)								(n/a)	29.0	21.0	10.0	$10,316	$1,747	$8,569
Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1500 Kalanianaole Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 961-0470	292	23	12.6	67.5%	7 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (22.6%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	176 (60.3%)	40 (13.7%)								(n/a)	36.0	27.0	22.0	$18,455	$9,187	$9,268
Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science PCS	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	15-1397 Post Office Rd	Pahoa	96778	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 965-3730	738	48	15.5	76.7%	307 (41.6%)	6 (0.8%)	163 (22.1%)	12 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	100 (13.6%)	150 (20.3%)								(n/a)	51.0	53.0	30.0	$9,655	$1,209	$8,446

Frequently Asked Questions about Kua o ka La - NCPCS

What district is Kua o ka La - NCPCS in?

Hawaii Department of Education

How many students attend Kua o ka La - NCPCS?

In the 2024-25 school year, 185 students attended Kua o ka La - NCPCS.

What is the racial makeup of Kua o ka La - NCPCS?

Students at Kua o ka La - NCPCS are 35% Pacific Islander, 26% Hispanic, 21% Two or more races, 15% White, 3% Asian.

Is Kua o ka La - NCPCS a good school?

Kua o ka La - NCPCS ranks 116^th of 203 Hawaii alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Kua o ka La - NCPCS!

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Latest Hawaii data All new data »

2025–26 graduation ratesNewSep 19, 2026

2025–26 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresNewSep 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.