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Needs Improvement

#288 of 292 schools in HI

Keaau Elementary School

Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education

16-680 Keaau-Pahoa Rd, Keaau, HI 96749

Enrollment

821

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

2.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Hawaii schools

#288 of 292

In Keaau

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#288 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

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Keaau Elementary School

2.6/10

Elementary School in Keaau · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Keaau High School

5.2/10

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

Keaau Middle School

3.1/10

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

About Keaau Elementary School

Keaau Elementary School is a public elementary school in Keaau, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Keaau Elementary School serves approximately 821 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Keaau Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #288 of 292 schools in HI.

Structured state assessment records for Keaau Elementary School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.8 pts below district
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.4
  • HI avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Keaau 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.

59% of students at Keaau 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,056
Chronic Absenteeism58.6%

Keaau Elementary School — Students at Keaau Elementary School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.0% (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
57%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
34%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Keaau Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.6/10
2th percentile in HI
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.6%

Location

16-680 Keaau-Pahoa Rd, Keaau, HI 96749

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Keaau Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kua o ka La - NCPCS (rated 7.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Hilo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waiakeawaena Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Hilo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MALAMALAMA WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Keaau, see our Keaau schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Keaau High School Keaau 0.2 mi 5.2
Keaau Middle School Keaau 0.6 mi 3.1
Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory PCS Keaau 0.7 mi 5.0
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau 1.1 mi 5.8
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI'I Keaau 1.3 mi 4.1
Kua o ka La - NCPCS Hilo 4.3 mi 7.7
Waiakeawaena Elementary School Hilo 5.3 mi 7.5
MALAMALAMA WALDORF SCHOOL Keaau 5.8 mi 7.0
Mountain View Elementary School Mountain View 6.0 mi 4.0
Waiakea Elementary School Hilo 6.2 mi 6.4
Waiakea Intermediate School Hilo 6.3 mi 5.0
Waiakea High School Hilo 6.5 mi 7.9
Na Wai Ola - PCS Mountain View 6.5 mi 3.6
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo 7.5 mi 2.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Hilo 7.6 mi 8.3
Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo 8.0 mi 5.8
MAUNA LOA SCHOOL Hilo 8.1 mi 5.1
Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo 8.3 mi
Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo 8.3 mi 4.9
Hilo Intermediate School Hilo 8.4 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96749 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,633

Median Home Value

$396,400

Median Rent

$1,268/mo

Population

19,449

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

76.4%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

43.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kealakehe Elementary School Kailua-Kona, HI 2.4
Ka Waihona o ka Naauao - PCS Waianae, HI 3.2
Barbers Point Elementary School Kapolei, HI 3.4
Wailuku Elementary School Wailuku, HI 3.5
Waihee Elementary School Wailuku, HI 3.6
Keonepoko Elementary School Pahoa, HI 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Keaau Elementary School

What grades does Keaau Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Keaau Elementary School?

Keaau Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 821 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Keaau Elementary School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Keaau Elementary School rank in HI?

Keaau Elementary School ranks #288 of 292 schools in HI.

What is Keaau Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Keaau Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 Keaau Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Keaau Elementary School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Keaau Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Keaau Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

64.7% of students at Keaau 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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
821
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hawaii County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.6%

District

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

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