Beta You're viewing our redesigned school list. Prefer the classic layout?

Best Public Schools in Zip Code 96720

Coming soon: We're expecting this year's test scores from the Hawaii State Department of Education any day now — new rankings will be posted the moment they're released!

Coming soon: This year's test scores are expected from the Hawaii State Department of Education any day now — new rankings will follow the moment they're released!

At a glance

Schools

7,933

Students

5-star school

Top rankedErnest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School14^th of 204 Hawaii elementary schools

▲

Biggest riser

Kaumana Elementary School up 51 spots statewide this year

◉

Smallest classes

Haaheo Elementary School 11 students per teacher

SchoolDigger ratings

4★

3★

2★

0★

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

See the top-ranked Hawaii schools →

Summary:

The 96720 zip code area of Hilo, Hawaii is home to 16 schools, including 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. This diverse educational landscape provides families with a range of options to choose from when selecting the best fit for their children's needs.

Among the standout schools in the area are Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School, which consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in the state, and Kaumana Elementary School, another high-performing institution. At the middle school level, Hilo Intermediate School stands out, while Waiakea High School is the top-performing high school in the area.

The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the schools, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts ranging from 23% at Connections - New Century PCS to 75% at Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School. Chronic absenteeism rates also vary widely, from 12% at Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary to 59% at Connections - New Century PCS. These differences suggest that factors such as school resources, educational approaches, and student demographics may play a crucial role in shaping student outcomes within the Hawaii Department of Education system.

Load more schools when map is moved

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 (2025)				Ranking (2024)				HSA Science (2025)	HSA Biology I (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	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%)	93.2	14^th of 204 public elementary schools	93.1%		89.6	26^th of 207 public elementary schools	87.4%	12	72.0		75.0	75.0	$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%)	78	55^th of 204 public elementary schools	73.0%		78.3	59^th of 207 public elementary schools	71.5%	4	76.0		61.0	51.0	$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%)	34.8	30^th of 62 public high schools	51.6%		46.9	29^th of 67 public high schools	56.7%	1		33.0	48.0	25.0	$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%)	58.1	20^th of 84 public middle schools	76.2%		63.2	17^th of 89 public middle schools	80.9%	3	53.0		56.0	42.0	$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%)	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
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
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
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
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
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%)	67.5	9^th of 62 public high schools	85.5%		78.1	6^th of 67 public high schools	91.0%	3		47.0	61.0	42.0	$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%)	42.4	29^th of 84 public middle schools	65.5%		42.9	33^rd of 89 public middle schools	62.9%	4	34.0		54.0	40.0	$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%)	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
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)	26.0		23.0	7.0	$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%)	4	59^th of 62 public high schools	4.8%		8.3	57^th of 67 public high schools	14.9%	2			21.0	11.0	$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)	27.0		24.0	19.0	$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)	22.0		47.0	24.0	$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.