Below Average
#275 of 292 schools in HI
Paia Elementary School
Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education
955 Baldwin Ave, Paia, HI 96779
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Hawaii elementary schools
#172 of 184
In district
#275 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
About Paia Elementary School
Paia Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the rural town of Paia on Maui County, Hawaii. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 423 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Paia Elementary is currently focusing on student development, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #286 out of 293 schools in Hawaii (3rd percentile).
In ELA/Reading, 36% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, the proficiency rate is at 19%. The school is situated in a rural area near the town, offering a close-knit community setting where students can benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Paia Elementary School is 21.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Paia Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Paia Elementary School — Students at Paia Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 5.8/10.
How Paia Elementary School Compares
See how Paia Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
955 Baldwin Ave, Paia, HI 96779
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paia Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Kahului), which scores notably higher. Another option is CARDEN ACADEMY OF MAUI (rated 6.5/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Makawao), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF MAUI (rated 6.3/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Makawao), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Paia, see our Paia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DORIS TODD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Paia | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ROOTS SCHOOL Haiku | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Haiku Elementary School Haiku | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF MAUI Makawao | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Pukalani Elementary School Pukalani | 4.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate School Makawao | 4.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Makawao Elementary School Makawao | 4.4 mi | 4.2 |
| CARDEN ACADEMY OF MAUI Makawao | 5.5 mi | 6.5 |
| SEABURY HALL Makawao | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| King Kekaulike High School Pukalani | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS MAUI Makawao | 5.8 mi | 4.3 |
| KAAHUMANU HOU CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kahului | 6.4 mi | 6.5 |
| MAUI ADVENTIST SCHOOL Kahului | 6.6 mi | — |
| Kahului Elementary School Kahului | 7.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Maui High School Kahului | 7.3 mi | 5.5 |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kahului | 7.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Lihikai Elementary School Kahului | 7.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Maui Waena Intermediate School Kahului | 8.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Henry Perrine Baldwin High School Wailuku | 8.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Pomaikai Elementary School Kahului | 8.4 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 96779 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,833
Median Home Value
$946,000
Median Rent
$2,486/mo
Population
2,906
College Educated
37.7%
Homeownership
63.8%
Avg Commute
32.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paia Elementary School has a median household income of $115,833. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $946,000, with a median rent of $2,486/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Makawao Elementary School Makawao, HI | 4.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary School Mountain View, HI | 4.2 |
| Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo, HI | 4.3 |
| Nanakuli Elementary School Waianae, HI | 4.3 |
| Palolo Elementary School Honolulu, HI | 4.3 |
| Kaewai Elementary School Honolulu, HI | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paia Elementary School
What grades does Paia Elementary School serve?
Paia Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Paia Elementary School?
Paia Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paia Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paia Elementary School is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paia Elementary School rank in HI?
Paia Elementary School is ranked #275 out of 292 schools in HI.
What is Paia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paia Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Paia Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paia Elementary School has 18.7% math proficiency and 35.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paia Elementary School a charter school?
No, Paia Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paia Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Paia Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paia Elementary School?
61.7% of students at Paia 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 423
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Maui County
- Phone
- (808) 579-2100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hawaii Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 169,308
- Schools in District
- 295
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,056
- District Rank
- #275 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.
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