Waiakea Elementary School

Summary:

Waiakea Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Hilo, Hawaii, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 789 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.

Waiakea Elementary School's academic performance is mixed compared to the state averages. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates were 47.81% in English Language Arts, 45.65% in Mathematics, and 56.43% in Science. While the English Language Arts and Science proficiency rates were above the state averages, the Mathematics proficiency rate was slightly below. The school's performance varies across different student subgroups, with stronger results for Hispanic students but lower performance for English Language Learners and Special Education students. Waiakea Elementary School also has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate of 25.0%, which is higher than the state average.

When compared to nearby elementary schools, Prince Jonah Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate School and Keaau Elementary School generally perform worse academically than Waiakea Elementary School, while higher-performing schools like Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School and Haaheo Elementary School outperform Waiakea Elementary School. Waiakea Elementary School's spending per student of $15,167 in the 2018-2019 school year is comparable to the nearby schools.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 180 W Puainako St
       Hilo, HI  96720


(808) 981-7215

District: Hawaii Department of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
97th of 207 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,167 Help


Students who attend Waiakea Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Waiakea Intermediate School
High:    Waiakea High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.8 Help
Number of students:  789

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:
30.8%
Two or more races:
29.8%
Hispanic:
22.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  55.5% Help


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 Compare Waiakea Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Waiakea Elementary School ranks better than 53.1% of elementary schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 94th among 183 ranked elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.83. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 Waiakea Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Hawaii Department of Education School District.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Waiakea Elementary School is $15,167. 147 elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Waiakea Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Waiakea Elementary School 97th of 207 Hawaii public elementary schools. (See Waiakea Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Asian students:
African American 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 Waiakea Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 53.84 78th 194 59.8%
2007 50.50 100th 192 47.9%
2008 46.62 88th 146 39.7%
2009 54.03 89th 191 53.4%
2010 56.78 81st 183 55.7%
2011 58.37 75th 191 60.7%
2012 63.29 69th 195 64.6%
2013 47.07 114th 196 41.8%
2015 44.73 110th 194 43.3%
2016 54.26 94th 195 51.8%
2017 58.81 93rd 207 55.1%
2018 45.29 111th 193 42.5%
2019 51.38 93rd 196 52.6%
2021 48.25 100th 196 49.0%
2022 53.36 85th 193 56.0%
2023 43.22 111th 195 43.1%
2024 56.83 97th 207 53.1%
See the entire list of Hawaii Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 35.52 157th 198 20.7%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 46.82 125th 207 39.6%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 64.89 95th 203 53.2%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 65.30 73rd 160 54.4%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 80.99 40th 165 75.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 45.58 118th 196 39.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Waiakea Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 45.29 133rd 202 34.2%
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.

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Open Quote I have a mildly autistic child with IEP. Staff and teachers were very accommodating and very willing to work with parents to improve his social goals as well as academic goals. School has onsite after school program run by private entity with very reasonable price and great schedule for working parents. Very happy with 2+ years experience with them. (Moved for job relocation) Close Quote



Enrollment information for Waiakea Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 147 6 773 14 3 n/a n/a 0 943
1989 160 3 806 9 2 n/a n/a 0 980
1990 166 4 767 13 4 n/a n/a 0 954
1991 164 10 755 4 4 n/a n/a 0 937
1992 160 3 703 55 3 n/a n/a 0 924
1993 182 4 704 54 4 n/a n/a -1 947
1994 169 1 710 44 7 n/a n/a 0 931
1995 191 2 617 25 4 n/a n/a -1 838
1996 191 2 617 25 4 n/a n/a -1 838
1997 176 2 649 30 2 n/a n/a -17 842
1998 176 1 654 37 0 n/a n/a 0 868
1999 166 0 616 42 0 n/a n/a 0 824
2000 164 1 595 38 0 n/a n/a 0 798
2001 151 2 572 35 0 n/a n/a 0 760
2002 141 6 580 36 2 n/a n/a 0 765
2003 141 6 580 36 2 n/a n/a 0 765
2004 134 3 613 31 3 n/a n/a 0 784
2005 133 7 653 34 8 n/a n/a 0 835
2006 119 8 656 37 6 n/a n/a 0 826
2007 132 5 681 30 4 n/a n/a 0 852
2008 130 6 691 33 5 n/a n/a 0 865
2009 128 6 717 34 3 n/a n/a 0 888
2010 118 5 694 30 0 n/a n/a 0 847
2011 65 4 285 27 1 355 107 0 844
2012 75 5 256 52 1 357 101 0 847
2013 63 4 241 82 0 333 135 0 858
2014 51 3 217 126 0 313 173 0 883
2015 50 2 180 135 0 271 176 0 814
2016 45 3 163 169 0 245 191 0 816
2017 45 2 151 195 0 240 206 0 839
2018 35 1 156 214 0 265 202 0 873
2019 34 1 153 222 1 255 212 0 878
2020 38 1 141 208 1 257 211 0 857
2021 30 2 140 228 0 246 217 0 863
2022 37 2 117 191 0 235 231 0 813
2023 31 0 106 174 0 243 235 0 789

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 Waiakea Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 943 49.0 19.2 32.4
1989 980 50.0 19.6 35.5
1990 954 47.0 20.2 30.7
1991 937 48.0 19.5 23.3
1992 924 48.5 19.0 24.5
1993 947 50.0 18.9 20.1
1994 931 53.0 17.6 14.1
1995 838 46.0 18.2 18.1
1996 838 46.0 18.2 18.1
1997 842 45.5 18.5 35.6
1998 868 45.0 19.3 31.5
1999 824 47.0 17.5 37
2000 798 44.0 18.1 37.8
2001 760 41.0 18.5 47.4
2002 765 40.0 19.1 52.8
2003 765 40.0 19.1 52.8
2004 784 44.0 17.8 54.3
2005 835 50.0 16.7 56.3
2006 826 48.0 17.2 50.7
2007 852 50.5 16.9 46.8
2008 865 50.0 17.3 44.4
2009 888 51.0 17.4 47.6
2010 847 49.0 17.2 46.6
2011 844 49.0 17.2 51.9
2012 847 49.0 17.2 54.5
2013 858 50.0 17.1 53.8
2014 883 46.0 19.1 56.4
2015 814 48.0 16.9 58
2016 816 53.0 15.3 57.7
2017 839 55.0 15.2 56.1
2018 873 58.0 15.0 57.8
2019 878 58.0 15.1 58.4
2020 857 57.0 15.0 57.6
2021 863 57.0 15.1 56
2022 813 57.0 14.2 58.2
2023 789 53.0 14.8 55.5

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 Waiakea Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 943 49.0 19.2 32.4
1989 980 50.0 19.6 35.5
1990 954 47.0 20.2 30.7
1991 937 48.0 19.5 23.3
1992 924 48.5 19.0 24.5
1993 947 50.0 18.9 20.1
1994 931 53.0 17.6 14.1
1995 838 46.0 18.2 18.1
1996 838 46.0 18.2 18.1
1997 842 45.5 18.5 35.6
1998 868 45.0 19.3 31.5
1999 824 47.0 17.5 37
2000 798 44.0 18.1 37.8
2001 760 41.0 18.5 47.4
2002 765 40.0 19.1 52.8
2003 765 40.0 19.1 52.8
2004 784 44.0 17.8 54.3
2005 835 50.0 16.7 56.3
2006 826 48.0 17.2 50.7
2007 852 50.5 16.9 46.8
2008 865 50.0 17.3 44.4
2009 888 51.0 17.4 47.6
2010 847 49.0 17.2 46.6
2011 844 49.0 17.2 51.9
2012 847 49.0 17.2 54.5
2013 858 50.0 17.1 53.8
2014 883 46.0 19.1 56.4
2015 814 48.0 16.9 58
2016 816 53.0 15.3 57.7
2017 839 55.0 15.2 56.1
2018 873 58.0 15.0 57.8
2019 878 58.0 15.1 58.4
2020 857 57.0 15.0 57.6
2021 863 57.0 15.1 56
2022 813 57.0 14.2 58.2
2023 789 53.0 14.8 55.5

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 Waiakea Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,077 (7.1%) $14,090 (92.9%) $15,167

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Waiakea 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 93rd of 196 Elementary schoolsRanks 111th of 195 Elementary schools
 9.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)5239
 13%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5349
 4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)6250
 12%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)5652
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)5750
 7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5251
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)4946
 3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4950
 1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)5052
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5755
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)4339
 4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4444
All Grades English Language Arts (Waiakea Elementary School)5347
 6%
All Grades Mathematics (Waiakea Elementary School)5145
 6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students878789
 10.1%
African American10
 100%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian153106
 30.7%
Hispanic222174
 21.6%
Pacific Islander255243
 4.7%
White3431
 8.8%
Two or More Races212235
 10.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients58.4%55.5%
 2.9%


Schools Near Waiakea Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Waiakea Elementary School

Waiakea Elementary School ranks 97th of 207 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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

Middle : Waiakea Intermediate School
High : Waiakea High School

Students at Waiakea Elementary School are 31% Pacific Islander, 30% Two or more races, 22% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 4% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 789 students attended Waiakea Elementary 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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