Needs Improvement
#268 of 292 schools in HI
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School
School · Hawaii Department of Education
PO Box 100, Pahala, HI 96777
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Hawaii schools
#268 of 292
In district
#268 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
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Kau High & Pahala Elementary School
School in Pahala · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Naalehu Elementary School
11.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Volcano School of Arts & Sciences - a Community Pcs
21.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Kau High & Pahala Elementary School
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is a public school in Pahala, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Kau High & Pahala Elementary School serves approximately 520 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Kau High & Pahala Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #268 of 292 schools in HI.
Structured state assessment records for Kau High & Pahala Elementary School show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.3
- HI avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
63% of students at Kau High & Pahala 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Kau High & Pahala Elementary School — Students at Kau High & Pahala Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from HI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.1/10.
How Kau High & Pahala Elementary School Compares
See how Kau High & Pahala Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 100, Pahala, HI 96777
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kau High & Pahala Elementary School may also want to explore other schools in the area. CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 41.6 miles away, in nearby Keaau), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino (rated 4.6/10, 35.6 miles away, in nearby Kealakekua), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences - A Community PCS (rated 4.3/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Volcano), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pahala, see our Pahala schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 41.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Naalehu Elementary School Naalehu | 11.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Volcano School of Arts & Sciences - A Community PCS Volcano | 21.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Hookena Elementary School Captain Cook | 29.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Honaunau Elementary School Captain Cook | 31.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Na Wai Ola - PCS Mountain View | 34.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Mountain View Elementary School Mountain View | 34.6 mi | 4.0 |
| KONA ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Captain Cook | 34.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Konawaena Middle School Kealakekua | 35.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Konawaena High School Kealakekua | 35.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino Kealakekua | 35.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Konawaena Elementary School Kealakekua | 35.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Kona Pacific - PCS Kealakekua | 35.9 mi | 8.5 |
| KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI'I Keaau | 39.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Kaumana Elementary School Hilo | 40.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory PCS Keaau | 40.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Keaau Elementary School Keaau | 40.6 mi | 2.6 |
| Keaau High School Keaau | 40.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Keaau Middle School Keaau | 40.9 mi | 3.1 |
| CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau | 41.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Holualoa Elementary School Holualoa | 41.9 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96777 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,438
Median Home Value
$227,200
Median Rent
$650/mo
Population
1,838
College Educated
24.5%
Homeownership
84.2%
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
32
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HANALANI SCHOOLS Mililani, HI | 3.8 |
| MAKUA LANII CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kailua-Kona, HI | 4.0 |
| HALEAKALA WALDORF SCHOOL Kula, HI | 3.0 |
| Connections - New Century PCS Hilo, HI | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kau High & Pahala Elementary School
What grades does Kau High & Pahala Elementary School serve?
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Kau High & Pahala Elementary School?
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 520 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kau High & Pahala Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kau High & Pahala Elementary School rank in HI?
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School ranks #268 of 292 schools in HI.
What is Kau High & Pahala Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Kau High & Pahala Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Kau High & Pahala Elementary School has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Kau High & Pahala Elementary School a charter school?
No, Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kau High & Pahala Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kau High & Pahala Elementary School?
75.2% of students at Kau High & Pahala 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 520
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hawaii County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.7%
- Phone
- (808) 928-2088
- 4-Year Graduation
- 72.0%
Resources & Links
District
Hawaii Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 169,308
- Schools in District
- 295
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,056
- District Rank
- #268 of 292
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