Needs Improvement
#270 of 292 schools in HI
Kohala Elementary School
Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education
PO Box 819, Kapaau, HI 96755
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Hawaii schools
#270 of 292
In Kapaau
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#270 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
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Kohala Elementary School
Elementary School in Kapaau · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kohala High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Kohala Adventist School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Kohala Elementary School
Kohala Elementary School is a public elementary school in Kapaau, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Kohala Elementary School serves approximately 374 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Kohala Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #270 of 292 schools in HI.
Structured state assessment records for Kohala Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.4
- HI avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Kohala 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.
52% of students at Kohala 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Kohala Elementary School — Students at Kohala Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.3%
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: 4.3/10.
How Kohala Elementary School Compares
See how Kohala Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 819, Kapaau, HI 96755
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kohala Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Honokaa Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 25.6 miles away, in nearby Honokaa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Waikoloa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waimea Elementary School (rated 4.3/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Kamuela), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kapaau, see our Kapaau schools guide .
Nearby Schools
14 within 32.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kohala High School Kapaau | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| KOHALA ADVENTIST SCHOOL Hawi | 1.1 mi | — |
| Kohala Middle School Kapaau | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| HAWAII PREPARATORY ACADEMY Kamuela | 16.3 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI EDUCATION CENTER OF HAWAII Kamuela | 17.6 mi | — |
| WAIMEA COUNTRY SCHOOL Kamuela | 17.8 mi | 4.0 |
| PARKER SCHOOL Kamuela | 17.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Waimea Elementary School Kamuela | 17.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Waimea Middle - PCCS Kamuela | 18.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Kanu o ka Aina - New Century PCS Kamuela | 18.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School Waikoloa | 20.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Honokaa High & Intermediate School Honokaa | 25.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Honokaa Elementary School Honokaa | 25.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School Paauilo | 32.0 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96755 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$98,429
Median Home Value
$693,200
Median Rent
$1,381/mo
Population
3,548
College Educated
25.7%
Homeownership
82.9%
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Median Age
46.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Palolo Elementary School Honolulu, HI | 3.7 |
| Ala Wai Elementary School Honolulu, HI | 3.8 |
| Kahuku Elementary School Kahuku, HI | 3.8 |
| Naalehu Elementary School Naalehu, HI | 3.8 |
| Haiku Elementary School Haiku, HI | 3.9 |
| Puohala Elementary School Kaneohe, HI | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kohala Elementary School
What grades does Kohala Elementary School serve?
Kohala Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Kohala Elementary School?
Kohala Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kohala Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kohala Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kohala Elementary School rank in HI?
Kohala Elementary School ranks #270 of 292 schools in HI.
What is Kohala Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kohala 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 Kohala Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Kohala Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Kohala Elementary School a charter school?
No, Kohala Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kohala Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Kohala Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kohala Elementary School?
50.3% of students at Kohala 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 374
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hawaii County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.1%
- Phone
- (808) 889-7100
Resources & Links
District
Hawaii Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 169,308
- Schools in District
- 295
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,056
- District Rank
- #270 of 292
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