Average
#167 of 292 schools in HI
Kohala High School
High School · Hawaii Department of Education
PO Box 279, Kapaau, HI 96755
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Hawaii schools
#167 of 292
In Kapaau
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#167 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Kohala High School
High School in Kapaau · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kohala Elementary 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 High School
Kohala High School is a public high school in Kapaau, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Kohala High School serves approximately 252 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Kohala High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #167 of 292 schools in HI.
Structured state assessment records for Kohala High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 6.4
- HI avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Kohala High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Kohala High 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.
41% of students at Kohala High 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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Kohala High School — Students at Kohala High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 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: 6.6/10.
How Kohala High School Compares
See how Kohala High 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 279, Kapaau, HI 96755
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kohala High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kanu o ka Aina - New Century PCS (rated 7.7/10, 18.8 miles away, in nearby Kamuela), which scores notably higher. Another option is PARKER SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Kamuela), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Honokaa Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 25.6 miles away, in nearby Honokaa), 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 Elementary School Kapaau | 0.1 mi | 3.6 |
| 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 | 18.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Waimea Middle - PCCS Kamuela | 18.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Kanu o ka Aina - New Century PCS Kamuela | 18.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School Waikoloa | 20.3 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 |
|---|---|
| Molokai High School Hoolehua, HI | 5.6 |
| West Hawaii Explorations Academy Kailua-Kona, HI | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kohala High School
What grades does Kohala High School serve?
Kohala High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Kohala High School?
Kohala High School has an enrollment of approximately 252 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kohala High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kohala High School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kohala High School rank in HI?
Kohala High School ranks #167 of 292 schools in HI.
What is Kohala High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kohala High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Kohala High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Kohala High School a charter school?
No, Kohala High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kohala High School a Title I school?
No, Kohala High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kohala High School?
56.0% of students at Kohala High 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 252
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hawaii County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.3%
- Phone
- (808) 889-7117
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Hawaii Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 169,308
- Schools in District
- 295
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,056
- District Rank
- #167 of 292
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