Best Schools in Waianae, Hawaii
14 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Waianae?
Use this page to compare every school in Waianae 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.
Nanakuli High & Intermediate School
High · Hawaii Department of Education. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Leihoku Elementary School
Elementary · Hawaii Department of Education. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Maili Elementary School
Elementary · Hawaii Department of Education. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Waianae for 2026 are Nanakuli High & Intermediate School (5.1/10), Leihoku Elementary School (5.1/10), and Maili Elementary School (4.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 13 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
14
11 public · 3 private
Avg Score
4.3
out of 10
Median Home
$551,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
14
11 public · 3 private
Avg Score
4.3
out of 10
Median Home
$551,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 5.1/10 despite 73% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 0.8 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Waianae schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Waianae
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (13 of 14). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nanakuli High & Intermediate School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Leihoku Elementary School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Maili Elementary School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Kamaile Academy Pcs | 4.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Nanakuli Elementary School | 4.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Adventist Malama Elementary School | 4.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Maili Bible School | 4.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Waianae Intermediate School | 4.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Nanaikapono Elementary School | 4.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Makaha Elementary School | 4.1 / 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
- 4.3/10
- Median household income
- $83,927
- Median home value
- $551,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 43 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waianae compares
Hawaii rank
#26 of 29
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-2.0
below Hawaii avg (6.3)
Median household income
$84k
90% of Hawaii median
Schools in this city
13
About Schools in Waianae, Hawaii
Waianae, Hawaii is home to 14 schools, including 11 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 4.3 out of 10, schools in Waianae show moderate performance 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 Waianae is Nanakuli High & Intermediate School with a composite score of 5.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Waianae is served by 1 school district: Hawaii Department of Education. These districts collectively serve 169,308 students.
Waianae's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $83,927. The poverty rate in the area is 18.3%.
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
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 787 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.1 | ||
| 2 | 605 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.9 | ||
| 3 | 369 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.5 | ||
| 4 | 690 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.1 | ||
| 5 | 403 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.1 | ||
| 6 | 412 students · Pre-K–6th | 3.3 | ||
| 7 | 626 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 43 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.4 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 785 students · 7th–8th | 4.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 954 students · 7th–12th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 1,643 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 901 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 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 | Maili Bible School
Private
67 students · Kindergarten–11th | 4.3 | ||
| 2 | Ark of Safety Christian Academy
Private
28 students · Kindergarten–11th | — | ||
Schools in Waianae
Waianae, Hawaii · 14 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$83,927
Median Home Value
$551,400
Median Rent
$1,820/mo
Population
49,879
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
43 min
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Community Profile
Waianae has a median household income of $83,927. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $551,400, with a median rent of $1,820/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. The average commute in the area is 43 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Hawaii
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- 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 Waianae, Hawaii
How many schools are in Waianae, Hawaii?
Waianae has 14 schools, including 11 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waianae, Hawaii?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waianae is 4.3 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 Waianae, Hawaii?
The top-ranked school in Waianae on MySchoolScout is Nanakuli High & Intermediate School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waianae, Hawaii?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waianae on MySchoolScout is Leihoku Elementary School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Waianae, Hawaii?
The top-ranked middle school in Waianae on MySchoolScout is Waianae Intermediate School with a composite score of 4.2/10.
What is the best high school in Waianae, Hawaii?
The top-ranked high school in Waianae on MySchoolScout is Nanakuli High & Intermediate School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
How many school districts serve Waianae, Hawaii?
Waianae is served by 1 school district: Hawaii Department of Education.
What is the education level in Waianae, Hawaii?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Waianae have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waianae, Hawaii?
The median household income in Waianae is approximately $83,927 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waianae, Hawaii?
Yes, Waianae has 3 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is Adventist Malama Elementary School with a score of 4.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waianae, Hawaii?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waianae is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waianae, 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.