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Very Good

#70 of 292 schools in HI

Top 24% in state

Kapaa Elementary School

Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education

4886 Kawaihau Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746

Enrollment

824

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kapaa

#1 of 3

public schools

Hawaii elementary schools

#58 of 184

In district

#70 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Kapaa Elementary School

Kapaa Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the remote town of Kapaa on Kauai's east side. With an enrollment of 824 students and 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, offering a mid-sized learning environment where individual attention is possible. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its core instruction.

In English language arts, 38% of students scored proficient or above across grade levels, while 32% met proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect room for academic growth in foundational skills. The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.3/10 and ranks #109 among Hawaii's 293 public schools, placing it at the 63rd percentile statewide.

Kapaa Elementary's location in a remote town on Kauai offers families a tight-knit island community setting where the school serves as an important educational anchor for local residents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,420

Kapaa Elementary School — Students at Kapaa Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from HI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
35%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
44%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Kapaa Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
76th percentile in HI
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

4886 Kawaihau Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kapaa Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. King Kaumualii Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Lihue), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kalaheo Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Kalaheo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hanalei Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Hanalei), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kapaa, see our Kapaa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Kapaa High School Kapaa 0.2 mi 4.4
ST CATHERINE SCHOOL Kapaa 0.2 mi 7.3
Kapaa Middle School Kapaa 1.2 mi 3.9
KAHILI ADVENTIST SCHOOL Kapaa 1.4 mi
Kanuikapono - PCS Anahola 3.5 mi 5.6
King Kaumualii Elementary School Lihue 6.9 mi 9.3
Elsie H Wilcox Elementary School Lihue 8.5 mi 7.1
OLELO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lihue 8.8 mi 7.1
Kauai High School Lihue 9.5 mi 4.7
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Lihue 9.7 mi 5.9
ISLAND SCHOOL Lihue 9.8 mi 7.7
Kawaikini - NCPCS Lihue 10.1 mi 7.0
Kilauea Elementary School Kilauea 10.1 mi 5.1
KAUAI CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kilauea 10.5 mi 5.2
Alaka'i O Kaua'i Charter School Koloa 13.8 mi 7.7
Hanalei Elementary School Hanalei 14.3 mi 8.9
Koloa Elementary School Koloa 16.5 mi 6.5
Kalaheo Elementary School Kalaheo 17.6 mi 9.1
Eleele Elementary School Eleele 21.3 mi 6.1
Niihau High & Elementary School Waimea 24.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96746 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,681

Median Home Value

$830,500

Median Rent

$2,053/mo

Population

20,566

College Educated

32.2%

Homeownership

68.3%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

45.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kapaa Elementary School has a median household income of $89,681. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $830,500, with a median rent of $2,053/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hookele Elementary School Kapolei, HI 7.4
Keoneula Elementary School Ewa Beach, HI 7.4
Aliamanu Elementary School Honolulu, HI 7.5
Kaneohe Elementary School Kaneohe, HI 7.5
Maemae Elementary School Honolulu, HI 7.3
Waikiki Elementary School Honolulu, HI 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kapaa Elementary School

What grades does Kapaa Elementary School serve?

Kapaa Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Kapaa Elementary School?

Kapaa Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 824 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kapaa Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Kapaa Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kapaa Elementary School rank in HI?

Kapaa Elementary School is ranked #70 out of 292 schools in HI.

What is Kapaa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kapaa Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kapaa Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kapaa Elementary School has 32.3% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kapaa Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Kapaa Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

57.8% of students at Kapaa 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
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
824
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Kauai County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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