Below Average
#271 of 292 schools in HI
Waiakea Intermediate School
Middle School · Hawaii Department of Education
200 W Puainako St, Hilo, HI 96720
Enrollment
854
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
854
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hilo
#14 of 15
public schools
Hawaii middle schools
#38 of 42
In district
#271 of 292
Hawaii Department of Education
About Waiakea Intermediate School
Waiakea Intermediate School serves grades 6 through 8 in Hilo, located at 200 W Puainako Street in this remote Hawaiian community. The school enrolls 854 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, supported by 55 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Waiakea is working to build student skills with room for growth across core subjects.
In English Language Arts, 47% of students performed at proficient or above levels, while math proficiency averaged 30% across grade levels. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 reflects these academic challenges, and it ranks 227th out of 293 schools statewide. These results suggest that Waiakea is focusing on strengthening foundational competencies in mathematics and reading to support student development.
As a regular public middle school, Waiakea serves as a central educational hub for the Hilo area. The remote town setting shapes the school's role as an important community institution, serving the intermediate grades during a pivotal developmental period for young adolescents.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Waiakea Intermediate School — Students at Waiakea Intermediate School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
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: 3.4/10.
How Waiakea Intermediate School Compares
See how Waiakea Intermediate School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
200 W Puainako St, Hilo, HI 96720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waiakea Intermediate School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hilo Intermediate School (rated 7.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Keaau Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Keaau), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hilo, see our Hilo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waiakea Elementary School Hilo | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Waiakea High School Hilo | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Waiakeawaena Elementary School Hilo | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo | 1.3 mi | 2.9 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Hilo | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| MAUNA LOA SCHOOL Hilo | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Hilo Intermediate School Hilo | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Hilo Union Elementary School Hilo | 2.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Connections - New Century PCS Hilo | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Kua o ka La - NCPCS Hilo | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Hilo High School Hilo | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School Hilo | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo | 3.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Haaheo Elementary School Hilo | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo | 3.8 mi | — |
| Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo | 3.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Kaumana Elementary School Hilo | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau | 5.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Keaau Middle School Keaau | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI'I Keaau | 6.1 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waiakea Intermediate School has a median household income of $78,537. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $458,100, with a median rent of $1,346/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Iao Intermediate School Wailuku, HI | 4.1 |
| Kealakehe Intermediate School Kailua-Kona, HI | 4.5 |
| Kapaa Middle School Kapaa, HI | 3.9 |
| Maui Waena Intermediate School Kahului, HI | 4.8 |
| Wahiawa Middle School Wahiawa, HI | 4.8 |
| Ilima Intermediate School Ewa Beach, HI | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waiakea Intermediate School
What grades does Waiakea Intermediate School serve?
Waiakea Intermediate School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Waiakea Intermediate School?
Waiakea Intermediate School has an enrollment of approximately 854 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waiakea Intermediate School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waiakea Intermediate School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waiakea Intermediate School rank in HI?
Waiakea Intermediate School is ranked #271 out of 292 schools in HI.
What is Waiakea Intermediate School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waiakea Intermediate 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 Waiakea Intermediate School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waiakea Intermediate School has 30.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waiakea Intermediate School a charter school?
No, Waiakea Intermediate School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waiakea Intermediate School a Title I school?
No, Waiakea Intermediate School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waiakea Intermediate School?
50.9% of students at Waiakea Intermediate 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 854
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Hawaii County
- Phone
- (808) 981-7231
- 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
- #271 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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