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Very Good

#81 of 292 schools in HI

Top 27% in state

Hilo Union Elementary School

Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education

506 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720

Enrollment

446

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Hawaii schools

#81 of 292

In Hilo

#4 of 15

public schools

In district

#81 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Hilo Union Elementary School

7.5/10

Elementary School in Hilo · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mauna Loa School

5.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hilo Intermediate School

6.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hilo Union Elementary School

Hilo Union Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hilo, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Hilo Union Elementary School serves approximately 446 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Hilo Union Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #81 of 292 schools in HI.

Structured state assessment records for Hilo Union Elementary School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.4
  • HI avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Hilo Union Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,056
Chronic Absenteeism46.6%

Hilo Union Elementary School — Students at Hilo Union Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from HI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
29%
ELA
45%
2010
Math
43%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
46%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
46%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How Hilo Union Elementary School Compares

See how Hilo Union Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in HI
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.6%

Location

506 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hilo Union Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Kua o ka La - NCPCS (rated 7.7/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Waiakeawaena Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hilo, see our Hilo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
MAUNA LOA SCHOOL Hilo 0.3 mi 5.1
Hilo Intermediate School Hilo 0.3 mi 6.4
Hilo High School Hilo 0.3 mi 5.9
Connections - New Century PCS Hilo 0.4 mi 5.1
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Hilo 0.8 mi 8.3
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo 1.1 mi 2.8
Haaheo Elementary School Hilo 1.5 mi 4.3
Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School Hilo 1.7 mi 7.8
Waiakea High School Hilo 1.9 mi 7.9
Waiakea Intermediate School Hilo 2.1 mi 5.0
Waiakea Elementary School Hilo 2.2 mi 6.4
Waiakeawaena Elementary School Hilo 3.2 mi 7.5
Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo 3.1 mi 5.8
Kaumana Elementary School Hilo 3.8 mi 7.1
Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo 3.7 mi 4.9
Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo 3.7 mi
Kua o ka La - NCPCS Hilo 4.2 mi 7.7
Prince Jonah Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate School Papaikou 4.7 mi 2.7
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau 7.7 mi 5.8
Keaau Middle School Keaau 7.8 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,537

Median Home Value

$458,100

Median Rent

$1,346/mo

Population

50,971

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

42.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Honowai Elementary School Waipahu, HI 7.5
Kamiloiki Elementary School Honolulu, HI 7.5
Helemano Elementary School Wahiawa, HI 7.6
King Kamehameha III Elementary School Lahaina, HI 7.6
Mauka Lani Elementary School Kapolei, HI 7.4
ST JOSEPH PARISH SCHOOL Waipahu, HI 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hilo Union Elementary School

What grades does Hilo Union Elementary School serve?

Hilo Union Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Hilo Union Elementary School?

Hilo Union Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hilo Union Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hilo Union Elementary School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hilo Union Elementary School rank in HI?

Hilo Union Elementary School ranks #81 of 292 schools in HI.

What is Hilo Union Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilo Union Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hilo Union Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hilo Union Elementary School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Hilo Union Elementary School a charter school?

No, Hilo Union Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hilo Union Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Hilo Union Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hilo Union Elementary School?

74.2% of students at Hilo Union Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
91 Walker's Paradise
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Hawaii County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.6%

District

Hawaii Department of Education
District Enrollment
169,308
Schools in District
295
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,056
District Rank
#81 of 292

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