Very Good
#59 of 292 schools in HI
Top 20% in state
Waiakea High School
High School · Hawaii Department of Education
155 W Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720
Enrollment
1,217
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,217
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Hawaii schools
#59 of 292
In Hilo
#1 of 15
public schools
In district
#59 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Waiakea High School
High School in Hilo · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Waiakea Intermediate School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Waiakea Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waiakea High School
Waiakea High School is a public high school in Hilo, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Waiakea High School serves approximately 1,217 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Waiakea High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #59 of 292 schools in HI.
Structured state assessment records for Waiakea High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- District avg 6.4
- HI avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Waiakea High School — Students at Waiakea High School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44%
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: 9.7/10.
How Waiakea High School Compares
See how Waiakea 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
155 W Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waiakea High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kua o ka La - NCPCS (rated 7.7/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hilo, see our Hilo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waiakea Intermediate School Hilo | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Waiakea Elementary School Hilo | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo | 1.0 mi | 2.8 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Hilo | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Waiakeawaena Elementary School Hilo | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| MAUNA LOA SCHOOL Hilo | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Connections - New Century PCS Hilo | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Hilo Union Elementary School Hilo | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Hilo Intermediate School Hilo | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Hilo High School Hilo | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Kua o ka La - NCPCS Hilo | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School Hilo | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Haaheo Elementary School Hilo | 3.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo | 3.6 mi | — |
| Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Kaumana Elementary School Hilo | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau | 5.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Keaau Middle School Keaau | 5.9 mi | 3.1 |
| KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI'I Keaau | 6.3 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 |
|---|---|
| President Theodore Roosevelt High School Honolulu, HI | 8.0 |
| Pearl City High School Pearl City, HI | 7.7 |
| Kalani High School Honolulu, HI | 8.3 |
| Admiral Arthur W Radford High School Honolulu, HI | 7.2 |
| Henry J Kaiser High School Honolulu, HI | 7.2 |
| Kalaheo High School Kailua, HI | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waiakea High School
What grades does Waiakea High School serve?
Waiakea High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Waiakea High School?
Waiakea High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,217 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waiakea High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waiakea High School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waiakea High School rank in HI?
Waiakea High School ranks #59 of 292 schools in HI.
What is Waiakea High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waiakea High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waiakea High School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Waiakea High School a charter school?
No, Waiakea High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waiakea High School a Title I school?
No, Waiakea High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waiakea High School?
44.0% of students at Waiakea 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
- 1,217
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 77
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Hawaii County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.4%
- Phone
- (808) 974-4888
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90.0%
Resources & Links
District
Hawaii Department of Education- District Enrollment
- 169,308
- Schools in District
- 295
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,056
- District Rank
- #59 of 292
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