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Puohala Elementary School

Summary:

Puohala Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Kaneohe, Hawaii, serving grades PK-8 with a total enrollment of 319 students. The school is part of the Hawaii Department of Education district, which is ranked 1 out of 1 in the state and rated 5 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Despite being part of a highly-ranked district, Puohala Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Hawaii elementary schools, ranging from 124th out of 196 schools in 2018-2019 to 176th out of 207 schools in 2023-2024. The school has maintained a 1-star rating out of 5 from SchoolDigger for most of the past 8 years, with a brief 2-star rating in 2014-2015 and 2018-2019. Puohala's proficiency rates in Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts and Mathematics are significantly lower than the state averages, ranging from 28.3% to 39% proficient in ELA and 22% to 31% proficient in Math over the past 3 years. The school's science proficiency rates on the Hawaii State Assessments (HSA) are also below the state average, ranging from 6% to 40% proficient over the past 3 years.

Puohala Elementary School's performance on standardized tests is particularly low for its Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and White student subgroups, ranking in the bottom half or bottom quarter of Hawaii elementary schools for these subgroups. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 24.3% in the 2023-2024 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average and the nearby Mokapu Elementary, Kainalu Elementary, and Maunawili Elementary schools.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 45-233 Kulauli St
       Kaneohe, HI  96744

(808) 233-5660

District: Hawaii Department of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
176th of 207 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,141 Help


Students who attend Puohala Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Governor Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School
High:    Castle High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  319

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:
44.8%
Hispanic:
25.7%
Two or more races:
20.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  54.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Puohala Elementary School ranks worse than 85% of elementary schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 162nd among 183 ranked elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.16. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details Puohala Elementary School ranks worse than 69.7% of middle schools in Hawaii. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.16. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Puohala Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Hawaii Department of Education School District.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Puohala Elementary School is $18,141, which is the 31st highest among 183 elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Puohala Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Puohala Elementary School 176th of 207 Hawaii public elementary schools. (See Puohala Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
Pacific Islander students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Puohala Elementary School 62nd of 89 Hawaii public middle schools. (See Puohala Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
Pacific Islander students:
White students:


Hawaii Department of Education:

SchoolDigger ranks Hawaii Department of Education 1st of 1 Hawaii school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Puohala Elementary School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 50.76 89th 194 54.1%
2007 37.84 131st 192 31.8%
2009 65.17 53rd 191 72.3%
2010 53.72 88th 183 51.9%
2011 55.16 84th 191 56.0%
2012 38.55 138th 195 29.2%
2013 52.86 94th 196 52.0%
2015 38.51 125th 194 35.6%
2016 20.88 163rd 195 16.4%
2017 15.14 184th 207 11.1%
2018 25.99 156th 193 19.2%
2019 39.09 124th 196 36.7%
2021 22.89 154th 196 21.4%
2022 30.86 140th 193 27.5%
2023 21.27 159th 195 18.5%
2024 19.16 176th 207 15.0%
See the entire list of Hawaii Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 62.97 95th 198 52.0%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 0.00 183rd 207 11.6%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Asian students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 6.95 198th 203 2.5%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 0.00 138th 165 16.4%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school Pacific Islander students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 32.60 152nd 196 22.4%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 15.07 191st 202 5.4%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Hawaii State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Puohala Elementary School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 19.16 62nd 89 30.3%
See the entire list of Hawaii Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school English Language Learner students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 62.97 12th 81 85.2%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 0.00 76th 89 14.6%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Asian students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 6.95 82nd 87 5.7%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 0.00 60th 68 11.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school Pacific Islander students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 32.60 47th 81 42.0%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Puohala Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 15.07 76th 86 11.6%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Hawaii State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Puohala Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Puohala Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 70 4 259 13 2 n/a n/a 0 348
1989 69 2 274 16 2 n/a n/a 0 363
1990 84 2 274 18 1 n/a n/a 0 379
1991 95 14 295 6 1 n/a n/a 0 411
1992 71 7 313 25 3 n/a n/a 0 419
1993 69 9 335 20 0 n/a n/a 0 433
1994 59 7 368 16 3 n/a n/a 0 453
1995 56 6 401 22 1 n/a n/a -1 485
1996 56 6 401 22 1 n/a n/a -1 485
1997 53 3 433 19 1 n/a n/a 1 510
1998 42 4 414 17 1 n/a n/a 0 478
1999 40 4 416 17 0 n/a n/a 0 477
2000 38 3 417 11 0 n/a n/a 0 469
2001 46 1 368 16 0 n/a n/a 0 431
2002 38 1 332 15 1 n/a n/a 0 387
2003 38 1 332 15 1 n/a n/a 0 387
2004 29 0 312 17 1 n/a n/a 0 359
2005 25 1 264 16 2 n/a n/a 0 308
2006 23 3 259 12 3 n/a n/a 0 300
2007 25 3 225 12 1 n/a n/a 0 266
2008 24 3 214 7 1 n/a n/a 0 249
2009 26 2 201 7 1 n/a n/a 0 237
2010 23 4 205 7 1 n/a n/a 0 240
2011 10 4 32 6 2 150 20 0 224
2012 10 2 29 9 2 151 26 0 229
2013 8 2 28 23 4 159 31 0 255
2014 17 1 26 43 5 151 35 0 278
2015 18 0 23 41 4 146 39 0 271
2016 22 0 21 55 4 145 53 0 300
2017 16 0 19 62 4 140 54 0 295
2018 14 0 12 77 2 120 55 0 280
2019 3 0 12 67 2 118 55 0 257
2020 4 0 10 70 2 133 52 0 271
2021 8 1 9 72 2 134 50 0 276
2022 8 0 15 72 1 128 55 0 279
2023 8 0 20 82 1 143 65 0 319

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Puohala Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 348 19.5 17.8 25.3
1989 363 20.0 18.1 22.3
1990 379 21.0 18.0 23.7
1991 411 23.0 17.8 15.8
1992 419 24.5 17.1 22.2
1993 433 27.0 16.0 18.2
1994 453 31.0 14.6 16.1
1995 485 35.0 13.9 16
1996 485 35.0 13.9 16
1997 510 33.5 15.2 40.1
1998 478 32.0 14.9 34.3
1999 477 30.0 15.9 40.7
2000 469 30.0 15.6 53.3
2001 431 29.0 14.9 58.7
2002 387 26.5 14.6 43.9
2003 387 26.5 14.6 43.9
2004 359 26.5 13.5 51.8
2005 308 24.0 12.8 52.3
2006 300 24.0 12.5 56.7
2007 266 24.0 11.1 48.9
2008 249 23.0 10.8 48.6
2009 237 19.0 12.5 46
2010 240 17.0 14.1 51.3
2011 224 18.0 12.4 58
2012 229 19.0 12.0 59.8
2013 255 18.0 14.1 58
2014 278 17.0 16.3 61.9
2015 271 17.0 15.9 59.4
2016 300 18.0 16.6 60
2017 295 19.0 15.5 56.6
2018 280 19.0 14.7 60.7
2019 257 19.5 13.1 59.5
2020 271 18.5 14.6 57.9
2021 276 16.5 16.7 61.2
2022 279 16.5 16.9 62.4
2023 319 20.0 15.9 54.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Puohala Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 348 19.5 17.8 25.3
1989 363 20.0 18.1 22.3
1990 379 21.0 18.0 23.7
1991 411 23.0 17.8 15.8
1992 419 24.5 17.1 22.2
1993 433 27.0 16.0 18.2
1994 453 31.0 14.6 16.1
1995 485 35.0 13.9 16
1996 485 35.0 13.9 16
1997 510 33.5 15.2 40.1
1998 478 32.0 14.9 34.3
1999 477 30.0 15.9 40.7
2000 469 30.0 15.6 53.3
2001 431 29.0 14.9 58.7
2002 387 26.5 14.6 43.9
2003 387 26.5 14.6 43.9
2004 359 26.5 13.5 51.8
2005 308 24.0 12.8 52.3
2006 300 24.0 12.5 56.7
2007 266 24.0 11.1 48.9
2008 249 23.0 10.8 48.6
2009 237 19.0 12.5 46
2010 240 17.0 14.1 51.3
2011 224 18.0 12.4 58
2012 229 19.0 12.0 59.8
2013 255 18.0 14.1 58
2014 278 17.0 16.3 61.9
2015 271 17.0 15.9 59.4
2016 300 18.0 16.6 60
2017 295 19.0 15.5 56.6
2018 280 19.0 14.7 60.7
2019 257 19.5 13.1 59.5
2020 271 18.5 14.6 57.9
2021 276 16.5 16.7 61.2
2022 279 16.5 16.9 62.4
2023 319 20.0 15.9 54.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Puohala Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,911 (10.5%) $16,230 (89.5%) $18,141

Data source: Hawaii Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Puohala Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 124th of 196 Elementary schoolsRanks 159th of 195 Elementary schools
 18.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Puohala Elementary School)2523
 2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5349
 4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Puohala Elementary School)2533
 8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)5651
 5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Puohala Elementary School)5426
 28%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5251
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Puohala Elementary School)3832
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4950
 1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Puohala Elementary School)8747
 40%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5755
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Puohala Elementary School)5320
 33%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4444
6th Grade English Language Arts (Puohala Elementary School)4546
 1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5351
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Puohala Elementary School)2623
 3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4139
 2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Puohala Elementary School)4138
 3%
All Grades Mathematics (Puohala Elementary School)3031
 1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students257319
 24.1%
African American00
American Indian21
 50%
Asian1220
 66.7%
Hispanic6782
 22.4%
Pacific Islander118143
 21.2%
White38
 166.7%
Two or More Races5565
 18.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients59.5%54.2%
 5.3%

Schools Near Puohala Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Puohala Elementary School

Students at Puohala Elementary School are 45% Pacific Islander, 26% Hispanic, 20% Two or more races, 6% Asian, 3% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 319 students attended Puohala Elementary School.

Puohala Elementary School ranks in the bottom 15.0% of Hawaii elementary schools.

Students who attend Puohala Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Governor Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School
High : Castle High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Hawaii State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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