Very Good
#75 of 292 schools in HI
Top 25% in state
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs
Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education
345 Makalika, Hilo, HI 96720
Enrollment
185
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
185
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Hawaii schools
#75 of 292
In Hilo
#3 of 15
public schools
In district
#75 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs
Elementary School in Hilo · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Waiakeawaena Elementary School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Waiakea Elementary School
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs is a public elementary school in Hilo, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs serves approximately 185 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #75 of 292 schools in HI.
Structured state assessment records for Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 6.4
- HI avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 185 students, Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs — Students at Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs Compares
See how Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
345 Makalika, Hilo, HI 96720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 4.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Waiakeawaena Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hilo Union Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hilo, see our Hilo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waiakeawaena Elementary School Hilo | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Waiakea Elementary School Hilo | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Waiakea Intermediate School Hilo | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Waiakea High School Hilo | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo | 3.3 mi | 2.8 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Hilo | 3.4 mi | 8.3 |
| CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Keaau Middle School Keaau | 3.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| MAUNA LOA SCHOOL Hilo | 3.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Connections - New Century PCS Hilo | 4.2 mi | 5.1 |
| KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI'I Keaau | 4.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Keaau Elementary School Keaau | 4.3 mi | 2.6 |
| Hilo Union Elementary School Hilo | 4.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Hilo Intermediate School Hilo | 4.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Keaau High School Keaau | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo | 4.5 mi | — |
| Hilo High School Hilo | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo | 4.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School Hilo | 4.7 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,537
Median Home Value
$458,100
Median Rent
$1,346/mo
Population
50,971
College Educated
33.7%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Median Age
42.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lehua Elementary School Pearl City, HI | 7.6 |
| Alaka'i O Kaua'i Charter School Koloa, HI | 7.9 |
| OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL SCHOOL Pearl City, HI | 7.9 |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kaneohe, HI | 7.3 |
| Hanalei Elementary School Hanalei, HI | 8.2 |
| MONTESSORI COMMUNITY SCHOOL Honolulu, HI | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs
What grades does Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs serve?
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs?
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs has an enrollment of approximately 185 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs?
The student-teacher ratio at Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs rank in HI?
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs ranks #75 of 292 schools in HI.
What is Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs's MySchoolScout rating?
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs a charter school?
Yes, Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs a Title I school?
No, Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs?
82.2% of students at Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 185
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hawaii County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.1%
- Phone
- (808) 981-5866
Resources & Links
District
Hawaii Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 169,308
- Schools in District
- 295
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,056
- District Rank
- #75 of 292
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