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#217 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

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Hawaii schools

#217 of 292

In Hilo

#12 of 15

public schools

In district

#217 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Waiakea Intermediate School

5.0/10

Middle School in Hilo · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Waiakea Elementary School

6.4/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Waiakea High School

7.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Waiakea Intermediate School

Waiakea Intermediate School is a public middle school in Hilo, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Waiakea Intermediate School serves approximately 854 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Waiakea Intermediate School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #217 of 292 schools in HI.

Structured state assessment records for Waiakea Intermediate School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • HI avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.85 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,056
Chronic Absenteeism21.3%

Waiakea Intermediate School — Students at Waiakea Intermediate School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from HI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
56%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
56%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
45%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Waiakea Intermediate School Compares

See how Waiakea Intermediate School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
26th percentile in HI
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Keaau Middle School (rated 3.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Keaau), a more accessible option. 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 6.4
Waiakea High School Hilo 0.3 mi 7.9
Waiakeawaena Elementary School Hilo 1.0 mi 7.5
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo 1.3 mi 2.8
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 6.4
Hilo Union Elementary School Hilo 2.1 mi 7.5
Connections - New Century PCS Hilo 2.2 mi 5.1
Kua o ka La - NCPCS Hilo 2.2 mi 7.7
Hilo High School Hilo 2.2 mi 5.9
Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School Hilo 2.6 mi 7.8
Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo 3.1 mi 5.8
Haaheo Elementary School Hilo 3.6 mi 4.3
Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo 3.8 mi
Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo 3.8 mi 4.9
Kaumana Elementary School Hilo 3.8 mi 7.1
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau 5.6 mi 5.8
Keaau Middle School Keaau 5.7 mi 3.1
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate School Makawao, HI 4.8
Maui Waena Intermediate School Kahului, HI 5.3
Governor Sanford B Dole Middle School Honolulu, HI 4.6
Iao Intermediate School Wailuku, HI 4.5
Lahaina Intermediate School Lahaina, HI 5.5
Ilima Intermediate School Ewa Beach, HI 5.6

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 ranks #217 of 292 schools in HI.

What is Waiakea Intermediate School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waiakea Intermediate School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Intermediate School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Waiakea Intermediate School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

District

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

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