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Needs Improvement

#283 of 292 schools in HI

Kapaa Middle School

Middle School · Hawaii Department of Education

4867 Olohena Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746

Enrollment

523

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kapaa

#3 of 3

public schools

Hawaii middle schools

#41 of 42

In district

#283 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

About Kapaa Middle School

Kapaa Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Kapaa, Hawaii. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 523 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest academic ranking—3.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's rating system and placing 263rd among 293 schools in Hawaii—the school community focuses on fostering student development through a supportive educational environment.

Academically, the proficiency rates are below average: only 39% of students meet or exceed state standards in ELA/Reading, while just 21% do so in Math. However, Kapaa Middle School remains committed to improving these scores and ensuring that its students receive the necessary support for their growth. The school is situated in a rural setting with close proximity to Kapaa town, offering students a unique blend of natural surroundings and community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Kapaa Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,420

Kapaa Middle School — Students at Kapaa Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
39%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Kapaa Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
3th percentile in HI
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

4867 Olohena Rd, Kapaa, HI 96746

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kapaa Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. King Kaumualii Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Lihue), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kalaheo Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Kalaheo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hanalei Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Hanalei), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kapaa, see our Kapaa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.3 mi
School Distance Rating
KAHILI ADVENTIST SCHOOL Kapaa 0.9 mi
ST CATHERINE SCHOOL Kapaa 1.2 mi 7.3
Kapaa Elementary School Kapaa 1.2 mi 7.4
Kapaa High School Kapaa 1.4 mi 4.4
Kanuikapono - PCS Anahola 4.5 mi 5.6
King Kaumualii Elementary School Lihue 5.9 mi 9.3
Elsie H Wilcox Elementary School Lihue 7.5 mi 7.1
OLELO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lihue 7.7 mi 7.1
Kauai High School Lihue 8.5 mi 4.7
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Lihue 8.6 mi 5.9
ISLAND SCHOOL Lihue 8.6 mi 7.7
Kawaikini - NCPCS Lihue 8.9 mi 7.0
Kilauea Elementary School Kilauea 10.2 mi 5.1
KAUAI CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kilauea 10.7 mi 5.2
Alaka'i O Kaua'i Charter School Koloa 12.5 mi 7.7
Hanalei Elementary School Hanalei 13.9 mi 8.9
Koloa Elementary School Koloa 15.3 mi 6.5
Kalaheo Elementary School Kalaheo 16.4 mi 9.1
Eleele Elementary School Eleele 20.1 mi 6.1
Niihau High & Elementary School Waimea 23.3 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 Middle 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
DreamHouse Ewa Beach Kapolei, HI 4.2
Waimea Canyon Middle School Waimea, HI 4.3
Kealakehe Intermediate School Kailua-Kona, HI 4.5
Wahiawa Middle School Wahiawa, HI 4.8
Ilima Intermediate School Ewa Beach, HI 4.9
Konawaena Middle School Kealakekua, HI 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kapaa Middle School

What grades does Kapaa Middle School serve?

Kapaa Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Kapaa Middle School?

Kapaa Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 523 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Kapaa Middle School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kapaa Middle School rank in HI?

Kapaa Middle School is ranked #283 out of 292 schools in HI.

What is Kapaa Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kapaa Middle School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kapaa Middle School has 20.7% math proficiency and 39.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kapaa Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Kapaa Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

49.1% of students at Kapaa Middle 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
523
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
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
#283 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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