Needs Improvement
#268 of 292 schools in HI
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School
School · Hawaii Department of Education · Pahala, HI
A Hawaii Department of Education school where students score 8 points below what's typical for similar communities.
PO Box 100, Pahala, HI 96777
- Math 12% proficient (2022)
- Reading 24% proficient (2022)
- 72.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Kau High & Pahala Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. HI average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 22 points across the 14-year record (2009–2022) and has held near 18% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 18% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 33% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from HI state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
75.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Kau High & Pahala Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 20Car-Dependent
- Bike 21Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$63,438
Median home value
$227,200
Median rent
$650/mo
College educated
24.5%
Homeownership
84.2%
Poverty rate
9.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 96777; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 in Hawaii Department of Education
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anuenue SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.3 | PK–12 | Not available | 450 | Compare → |
| Hawaii School for the Deaf and BlindEnrollment path unverified | 7.3 | PK–12 | Not available | 52 | Compare → |
| Kanu O Ka Aina - New Century PcsCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.7 | K–12 | Not available | 625 | Compare → |
| Myron B. Thompson Academy - New Century PcsCharter · enrollment unverified | 6.9 | K–12 | Not available | 464 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Hawaii Department of Education
- Schools in district
- 295
- Rank in district
- #268 of 292
- District spending per student
- $20,056NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 10.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is listed in Hawaii Department of Education; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Kau High & Pahala Elementary School
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is a public school in Pahala, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education, serving approximately 520 students in grades Pre-K-12th with a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #268 of 292 schools in HI. State assessment records show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 520
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hawaii County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.7%
- Phone
- (808) 928-2088
- 4-Year Graduation
- 72.0%
- Area population (ZIP 96777)
- 1,838
- Area median age
- 32
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 96777; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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.