Skip to main content

Excellent

#33 of 292 schools in HI

Top 11% in state

Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School

Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education

1121 Middle St, Honolulu, HI 96819

Enrollment

394

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Honolulu

#18 of 74

public schools

Hawaii elementary schools

#31 of 184

In district

#33 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School

Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School is a public elementary school in Honolulu, HI, part of the Hawaii Department of Education. The school serves approximately 394 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89th percentile among HI schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 22% proficiency in math and 29% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $96,346, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,420

Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School — Students at Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from HI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
21%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
35%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School Compares

See how Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
89th percentile in HI
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

1121 Middle St, Honolulu, HI 96819

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Princess Miriam K Likelike Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lanakila Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kalihi Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Honolulu, see our Honolulu schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Linapuni Elementary School Honolulu 0.3 mi 7.8
Major General William R Shafter Elementary School Honolulu 0.3 mi 7.8
Kalihi Waena Elementary School Honolulu 0.4 mi 5.0
Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School Honolulu 0.7 mi 6.5
King David Kalakaua Middle School Honolulu 0.8 mi 4.9
Puuhale Elementary School Honolulu 0.8 mi 3.5
Governor Sanford B Dole Middle School Honolulu 0.8 mi 6.5
Kalihi Kai Elementary School Honolulu 0.9 mi 4.8
Kapalama Elementary School Honolulu 0.9 mi 8.2
Kaewai Elementary School Honolulu 0.9 mi 4.1
Moanalua Elementary School Honolulu 1.0 mi 8.2
Moanalua Middle School Honolulu 1.1 mi 6.2
DAMIEN MEMORIAL SCHOOL Honolulu 1.1 mi 5.8
Moanalua High School Honolulu 1.3 mi 6.5
Kalihi Uka Elementary School Honolulu 1.4 mi 5.0
Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary School Honolulu 1.5 mi 4.7
Princess Miriam K Likelike Elementary School Honolulu 1.5 mi 9.1
Lanakila Elementary School Honolulu 1.6 mi 9.0
Kalihi Elementary School Honolulu 1.6 mi 8.4
ST THERESA SCHOOL Honolulu 1.7 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96819 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,346

Median Home Value

$963,900

Median Rent

$1,789/mo

Population

51,961

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

51.3%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School has a median household income of $96,346. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $963,900, with a median rent of $1,789/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Koko Head Elementary School Honolulu, HI 8.3
Royal Elementary School Honolulu, HI 8.3
Pearl Harbor Elementary School Honolulu, HI 8.4
Waialae Elementary - PCS Honolulu, HI 8.4
Kapalama Elementary School Honolulu, HI 8.2
Mililani Ike Elementary School Mililani, HI 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School

What grades does Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School serve?

Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School?

Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School rank in HI?

Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School is ranked #33 out of 292 schools in HI.

What is Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School has 21.7% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School a charter school?

No, Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School?

76.6% of students at Mayor Joseph J Fern 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
67 Good Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,993/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Honolulu). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Honolulu County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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.