Average
#149 of 292 schools in HI
Waiakea Elementary School
Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education
180 W Puainako St, Hilo, HI 96720
Enrollment
725
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
725
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Hawaii schools
#149 of 292
In Hilo
#8 of 15
public schools
In district
#149 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Waiakea Elementary School
Elementary School in Hilo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Waiakea Intermediate School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Waiakea High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waiakea Elementary School
Waiakea Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hilo, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Waiakea Elementary School serves approximately 725 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Waiakea Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #149 of 292 schools in HI.
Structured state assessment records for Waiakea Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.4
- HI avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Waiakea 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
Waiakea Elementary School — Students at Waiakea Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.1%
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: 6.2/10.
How Waiakea Elementary School Compares
See how Waiakea Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
180 W Puainako St, Hilo, HI 96720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waiakea Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kua o ka La - NCPCS (rated 7.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waiakeawaena Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hilo, see our Hilo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waiakea Intermediate School Hilo | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Waiakea High School Hilo | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Waiakeawaena Elementary School Hilo | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo | 1.3 mi | 2.8 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Hilo | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| MAUNA LOA SCHOOL Hilo | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Kua o ka La - NCPCS Hilo | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Connections - New Century PCS Hilo | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Hilo Union Elementary School Hilo | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Hilo Intermediate School Hilo | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Hilo High School Hilo | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School Hilo | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Haaheo Elementary School Hilo | 3.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo | 3.7 mi | — |
| Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo | 3.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Kaumana Elementary School Hilo | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau | 5.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Keaau Middle School Keaau | 5.6 mi | 3.1 |
| KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI'I Keaau | 6.0 mi | 4.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Ewa Beach Elementary School Ewa Beach, HI | 6.5 |
| Kaneohe Elementary School Kaneohe, HI | 6.5 |
| Kapaa Elementary School Kapaa, HI | 6.5 |
| Kipapa Elementary School Mililani, HI | 6.5 |
| Lihikai Elementary School Kahului, HI | 6.5 |
| Kaimiloa Elementary School Ewa Beach, HI | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waiakea Elementary School
What grades does Waiakea Elementary School serve?
Waiakea Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Waiakea Elementary School?
Waiakea Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 725 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waiakea Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waiakea Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waiakea Elementary School rank in HI?
Waiakea Elementary School ranks #149 of 292 schools in HI.
What is Waiakea Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waiakea Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Waiakea Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waiakea Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Waiakea Elementary School a charter school?
No, Waiakea Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waiakea Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Waiakea Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waiakea Elementary School?
54.1% of students at Waiakea 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 725
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Hawaii County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.1%
- Phone
- (808) 981-7215
Resources & Links
District
Hawaii Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 169,308
- Schools in District
- 295
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,056
- District Rank
- #149 of 292
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