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Best Public Schools in Zip Code 96720

At a glance

Schools

7,933

Students

5-star school

Top rankedErnest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School24^th of 203 Hawaii elementary schools

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Biggest riser

Waiakeawaena Elementary School up 33 spots statewide this year

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Smallest classes

Haaheo Elementary School 11 students per teacher

SchoolDigger ratings

4★

3★

2★

3 schools without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)

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Summary:

ZIP code 96720 covers Hilo on Hawaii Island and contains 16 schools — 8 elementary, 2 middle, 3 high, and 3 alternative — serving 7,933 students, all within the Hawaii Department of Education district. Enrollment ranges from 33 students at Ke Ana Laahana - PCS to 1,183 at Waiakea High School; Hilo High School (1,170) and Waiakea Intermediate School (857) are also large. Because every school reports to one district, school-level test scores, rank history, absenteeism, poverty indicators, staffing ratios, and graduation rates are the most useful comparisons for families.

Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School is the clearest academic standout: 74% ELA, 73% math, and 62% science in 2025-26, ranking 24th of 203 elementary schools (88th percentile, 4 stars), with the lowest chronic absenteeism (12%) and lowest free/reduced lunch rate (26.07%) in the ZIP. Waiakea High School is the top high school, ranking 5th of 65 (92nd percentile, 5 stars) with 71% ELA, 50% math, 47% biology, and an 89% graduation rate — stronger nearly across the board than Hilo High School (27th of 65, 58th percentile, 3 stars). Kaumana Elementary School posted the highest science proficiency in the ZIP (80%), and Hilo Intermediate School outranks Waiakea Intermediate School (22nd vs 32nd of 85).

Math is the broadest weakness, averaging 38.9% against 47.5% in ELA. Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School ranks lowest among elementaries (172nd of 203, 15th percentile, 1 star), though its math rose from 16% to 26%. Connections - New Century PCS has the highest chronic absenteeism (59%) and lowest math (10%). Improvement is happening elsewhere: Waiakeawaena Elementary School rose in all three subjects (ELA 49% to 55%, math 42% to 54%, science 45% to 52%), and Kua o ka La - NCPCS jumped in science from 22% to 46%. A “—” means the state suppressed a figure, not zero.

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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
Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	278 Ainako Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 974-4855	422	23	18.3	26.1%	49 (11.6%)	0 (0.0%)	96 (22.7%)	60 (14.2%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (15.6%)	151 (35.8%)	89.8	24^th of 203 public elementary schools	88.2%		93.2	14^th of 204 public elementary schools	93.1%	10	62.0		74.0	73.0	$15,582	$1,242	$14,340
Haaheo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	121 Haaheo Rd	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4111	122	11	11.0	50.8%	22 (18.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (25.4%)	13 (10.7%)	1 (0.8%)	28 (23.0%)	27 (22.1%)	81.3	50^th of 203 public elementary schools	75.4%		78	55^th of 204 public elementary schools	73.0%	5			63.0	61.0	$16,116	$1,394	$14,722
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
Hilo Intermediate School	Public	7-8	587 Waianuenue Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4955	560	39	14.3	60.0%	28 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	153 (27.3%)	67 (12.0%)	0 (0.0%)	189 (33.8%)	123 (22.0%)	52.2	22^nd of 85 public middle schools	74.1%		58.1	20^th of 84 public middle schools	76.2%	2	49.0		53.0	39.0	$16,427	$1,638	$14,789
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%)	61.2	90^th of 203 public elementary schools	55.7%		41.9	122^nd of 204 public elementary schools	40.2%	32	49.0		58.0	46.0	$18,068	$1,957	$16,111
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
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%)	82.5	45^th of 203 public elementary schools	77.8%		88.2	28^th of 204 public elementary schools	86.3%	17	80.0		58.0	60.0	$17,553	$1,304	$16,249
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
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
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
Waiakea Intermediate School	Public	6-8	200 W Puainako St	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 981-7231	857	56	15.4	49.5%	44 (5.1%)	2 (0.2%)	203 (23.7%)	138 (16.1%)	2 (0.2%)	228 (26.6%)	240 (28.0%)	43.6	32^nd of 85 public middle schools	62.4%		42.4	29^th of 84 public middle schools	65.5%	3	38.0		52.0	39.0	$16,206	$1,537	$14,669
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
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
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
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
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

Cities Near Zip Code 96720

City	Distance	# of Schools	Statewide Rank
Hilo	1.18 mi	16	35^th
Papaikou	6.17 mi	1	38^th
Keaau	6.61 mi	4	36^th
Mountain View	10.18 mi	2	48^th
Pahoa	16.35 mi	4	45^th

See the top HI Hawaii cities

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.