Skip to main content

Average

#171 of 292 schools in HI

Kapaa High School

High School · Hawaii Department of Education

4695 Mailihuna Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746

Enrollment

1,038

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Hawaii schools

#171 of 292

In Kapaa

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#171 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Kapaa High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Kapaa High School

6.0/10

High School in Kapaa · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kapaa Elementary School

6.5/10

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

St Catherine School

7.3/10

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

About Kapaa High School

Kapaa High School is a public high school in Kapaa, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Kapaa High School serves approximately 1,038 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Kapaa High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #171 of 292 schools in HI.

Structured state assessment records for Kapaa High School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • HI avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Kapaa High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

36% of students at Kapaa High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-25.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness10.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,056
Chronic Absenteeism36.1%

Kapaa High School — Students at Kapaa High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
39%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
35%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
42%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Kapaa High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in HI
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
25
12 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics25sports offered
12 boys'·13 girls'·33 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4695 Mailihuna Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kapaa High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. King Kaumualii Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Lihue), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hanalei Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Hanalei), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elsie H Wilcox Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Lihue), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kapaa, see our Kapaa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Kapaa Elementary School Kapaa 0.2 mi 6.5
ST CATHERINE SCHOOL Kapaa 0.3 mi 7.3
Kapaa Middle School Kapaa 1.4 mi 2.8
KAHILI ADVENTIST SCHOOL Kapaa 1.6 mi
Kanuikapono - PCS Anahola 3.3 mi 6.7
King Kaumualii Elementary School Lihue 7.0 mi 9.3
Elsie H Wilcox Elementary School Lihue 8.7 mi 8.1
OLELO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lihue 8.9 mi 7.1
Kauai High School Lihue 9.7 mi 6.2
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Lihue 9.9 mi 6.5
ISLAND SCHOOL Lihue 9.9 mi 7.7
Kilauea Elementary School Kilauea 10.1 mi 5.5
Kawaikini - NCPCS Lihue 10.2 mi 5.8
KAUAI CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kilauea 10.5 mi 5.2
Alaka'i O Kaua'i Charter School Koloa 13.9 mi 7.9
Hanalei Elementary School Hanalei 14.3 mi 8.2
Koloa Elementary School Koloa 16.6 mi 7.2
Kalaheo Elementary School Kalaheo 17.7 mi 8.0
Eleele Elementary School Eleele 21.5 mi 6.7
Niihau High & Elementary School Waimea 24.6 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hilo High School Hilo, HI 5.9
King Kekaulike High School Pukalani, HI 6.1
President William McKinley High School Honolulu, HI 6.1
Honokaa High & Intermediate School Honokaa, HI 6.2
Kauai High School Lihue, HI 6.2
Waimea High School Waimea, HI 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kapaa High School

What grades does Kapaa High School serve?

Kapaa High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Kapaa High School?

Kapaa High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,038 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Kapaa High School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kapaa High School rank in HI?

Kapaa High School ranks #171 of 292 schools in HI.

What is Kapaa High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kapaa High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Kapaa High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kapaa High School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Kapaa High School a charter school?

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

Is Kapaa High School a Title I school?

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

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

31.5% of students at Kapaa High 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,038
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Kauai County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.1%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

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

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 rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.