Best Schools in Lihue, Hawaii
7 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Lihue?
Use this page to compare every school in Lihue by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
King Kaumualii Elementary School
Elementary · Hawaii Department of Education. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Elsie H Wilcox Elementary School
Elementary · Hawaii Department of Education. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Island School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lihue for 2026 are King Kaumualii Elementary School (9.3/10), Elsie H Wilcox Elementary School (8.1/10), and Island School (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$751,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$751,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lihue
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Kaumualii Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Elsie H Wilcox Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Island School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Olelo Christian Academy | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Kauai High School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Kawaikini - Ncpcs | 5.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $96,434
- Median home value
- $751,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
57% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lihue compares
Hawaii rank
#4 of 29
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above Hawaii avg (6.3)
Median household income
$96k
103% of Hawaii median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Lihue, Hawaii
Lihue, Hawaii is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Lihue perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Lihue is King Kaumualii Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lihue is served by 1 school district: Hawaii Department of Education. These districts collectively serve 169,308 students.
Lihue's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $96,434. The poverty rate in the area is 7.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 524 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 724 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 846 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,036 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 168 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Island School
Private
426 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | Olelo Christian Academy
Private
66 students · Pre-K–11th | 7.1 | ||
Schools in Lihue
Lihue, Hawaii · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$96,434
Median Home Value
$751,800
Median Rent
$1,904/mo
Population
16,924
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Community Profile
Lihue has a median household income of $96,434. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $751,800, with a median rent of $1,904/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Hawaii
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 3
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Lihue, Hawaii
How many schools are in Lihue, Hawaii?
Lihue has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lihue, Hawaii?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lihue is 7.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Lihue, Hawaii?
The top-ranked school in Lihue on MySchoolScout is King Kaumualii Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lihue, Hawaii?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lihue on MySchoolScout is King Kaumualii Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Lihue, Hawaii?
The top-ranked middle school in Lihue on MySchoolScout is Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in Lihue, Hawaii?
The top-ranked high school in Lihue on MySchoolScout is Kauai High School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Lihue, Hawaii?
Lihue is served by 1 school district: Hawaii Department of Education.
What is the education level in Lihue, Hawaii?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Lihue have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lihue, Hawaii?
The median household income in Lihue is approximately $96,434 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lihue, Hawaii?
Yes, Lihue has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Island School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lihue, Hawaii?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lihue is 12.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lihue, Hawaii?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Hawaii Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.