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Very Good

#82 of 292 schools in HI

Top 28% in state

Waiakeawaena Elementary School

Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education

2420 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720

Enrollment

672

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Hawaii schools

#82 of 292

In Hilo

#5 of 15

public schools

In district

#82 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

School environment

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Waiakeawaena Elementary School

7.5/10

Elementary School in Hilo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Waiakea Elementary School

6.4/10

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

Waiakea Intermediate School

5.0/10

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

About Waiakeawaena Elementary School

Waiakeawaena Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hilo, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Waiakeawaena Elementary School serves approximately 672 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Waiakeawaena Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #82 of 292 schools in HI.

Structured state assessment records for Waiakeawaena Elementary School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.4
  • HI avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Waiakeawaena 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency46% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,056
Chronic Absenteeism35%

Waiakeawaena Elementary School — Students at Waiakeawaena Elementary School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
52%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Waiakeawaena Elementary School Compares

See how Waiakeawaena Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
72th percentile in HI
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.0%

Location

2420 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waiakeawaena Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Kua o ka La - NCPCS (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hilo Union Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hilo, see our Hilo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Waiakea Elementary School Hilo 0.9 mi 6.4
Waiakea Intermediate School Hilo 1.0 mi 5.0
Kua o ka La - NCPCS Hilo 1.1 mi 7.7
Waiakea High School Hilo 1.2 mi 7.9
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Hilo 2.2 mi 2.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Hilo 2.3 mi 8.3
MAUNA LOA SCHOOL Hilo 2.9 mi 5.1
Connections - New Century PCS Hilo 3.1 mi 5.1
Hilo Intermediate School Hilo 3.1 mi 6.4
Hilo Union Elementary School Hilo 3.2 mi 7.5
Hilo High School Hilo 3.3 mi 5.9
Keaukaha Elementary School Hilo 3.5 mi 5.8
Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School Hilo 3.6 mi 7.8
Ke Ana Laahana - PCS Hilo 4.1 mi
Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS Hilo 4.1 mi 4.9
Haaheo Elementary School Hilo 4.5 mi 4.3
Kaumana Elementary School Hilo 4.4 mi 7.1
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY Keaau 4.6 mi 5.8
Keaau Middle School Keaau 4.7 mi 3.1
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI'I Keaau 5.1 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
Hilo Union Elementary School Hilo, HI 7.5
Honowai Elementary School Waipahu, HI 7.5
Mililani Uka Elementary School Mililani, HI 7.5
Helemano Elementary School Wahiawa, HI 7.6
King Kamehameha III Elementary School Lahaina, HI 7.6
Mauka Lani Elementary School Kapolei, HI 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waiakeawaena Elementary School

What grades does Waiakeawaena Elementary School serve?

Waiakeawaena Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Waiakeawaena Elementary School?

Waiakeawaena Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 672 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waiakeawaena Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Waiakeawaena Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waiakeawaena Elementary School rank in HI?

Waiakeawaena Elementary School ranks #82 of 292 schools in HI.

What is Waiakeawaena Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waiakeawaena Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Waiakeawaena Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Waiakeawaena Elementary School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Waiakeawaena Elementary School a charter school?

No, Waiakeawaena Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waiakeawaena Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Waiakeawaena Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waiakeawaena Elementary School?

53.1% of students at Waiakeawaena 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Hawaii County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.0%

District

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

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