Pearl City Highlands School

Summary:

Pearl City Highlands School is an exceptional elementary school in Pearl City, Hawaii, serving 530 students in grades PK-6 and part of the highly-ranked Hawaii Department of Education district.

This school consistently delivers outstanding academic performance, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts (74%) and Mathematics (70%) far exceeding the state averages of 51% and 44%, respectively. Pearl City Highlands School has earned a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranks among the top 25 elementary schools in Hawaii. The school's diverse student population, with significant representation of Asian (45.85%) and Pacific Islander (11.7%) students, as well as a sizable percentage of students identifying as two or more races (22.45%), contributes to a rich learning environment.

While the school's performance is particularly strong for Asian, African American, and White student subgroups, the Hispanic student subgroup ranks lower, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable outcomes. Additionally, Pearl City Highlands School's low chronic absenteeism rate of 9.5%, compared to the state average, is a positive indicator of the school's effectiveness in promoting regular attendance. The school's proximity to other high-performing elementary schools, such as Palisades Elementary, Manana Elementary, and Momilani Elementary, further contributes to the strong educational ecosystem in the Pearl City area.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 1419 Waimanalo Home Rd
       Pearl City, HI  96782


(808) 453-6470

District: Hawaii Department of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
25th of 207 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,317 Help


Students who attend Pearl City Highlands School usually attend:

Middle:    Highlands Intermediate School
High:    Pearl City High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.0 Help
Number of students:  530

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
45.8%
Two or more races:
22.5%
Hispanic:
17.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  23.2% Help


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 Compare Pearl City Highlands School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Pearl City Highlands School ranks better than 87.9% of elementary schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 24th 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 89.88. (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 Pearl City Highlands School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Hawaii Department of Education School District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pearl City Highlands School is $14,317. 169 elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Pearl City Highlands School:

SchoolDigger ranks Pearl City Highlands School 25th of 207 Hawaii public elementary schools. (See Pearl City Highlands 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 Pearl City Highlands School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 77.51 32nd 194 83.5%
2007 78.54 29th 192 84.9%
2008 69.61 31st 146 78.8%
2009 78.19 27th 191 85.9%
2010 82.05 23rd 183 87.4%
2011 91.63 11th 191 94.2%
2012 87.81 9th 195 95.4%
2013 86.82 20th 196 89.8%
2015 90.14 14th 194 92.8%
2016 90.06 16th 195 91.8%
2017 90.55 25th 207 87.9%
2018 88.89 14th 193 92.7%
2019 89.14 15th 196 92.3%
2021 88.68 20th 196 89.8%
2022 87.41 24th 193 87.6%
2023 86.43 25th 195 87.2%
2024 89.88 25th 207 87.9%
See the entire list of Hawaii Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 87.34 32nd 198 83.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 66.03 81st 207 60.9%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 80.34 43rd 203 78.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 86.38 35th 160 78.1%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 34.61 124th 165 24.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 72.85 66th 196 66.3%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Pearl City Highlands School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 82.00 35th 202 82.7%
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.

Pearl City Highlands School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Pearl City Highlands School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 29 1 400 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 431
1989 29 1 407 3 0 n/a n/a 0 440
1990 36 5 363 2 2 n/a n/a 0 408
1991 30 8 377 4 1 n/a n/a 0 420
1992 37 2 375 17 1 n/a n/a 0 432
1993 46 4 387 14 0 n/a n/a 0 451
1994 34 5 392 20 0 n/a n/a 0 451
1995 42 5 367 20 1 n/a n/a -1 434
1996 42 5 367 20 1 n/a n/a -1 434
1997 43 8 372 25 1 n/a n/a 11 460
1998 46 8 360 22 6 n/a n/a 0 442
1999 47 6 361 22 6 n/a n/a 0 442
2000 49 7 357 15 5 n/a n/a 0 433
2001 43 4 332 10 5 n/a n/a 0 394
2002 46 6 311 13 1 n/a n/a 0 377
2003 46 6 311 13 1 n/a n/a 0 377
2004 39 4 310 11 0 n/a n/a 0 364
2005 38 3 295 11 0 n/a n/a 0 347
2006 44 7 280 12 1 n/a n/a 0 344
2007 33 8 280 13 1 n/a n/a 0 335
2008 39 4 292 12 2 n/a n/a 0 349
2009 35 5 313 18 1 n/a n/a 0 372
2010 36 4 338 15 1 n/a n/a 0 394
2011 12 1 242 14 2 95 44 0 410
2012 14 2 250 24 4 100 42 0 436
2013 16 4 255 29 4 95 45 0 448
2014 14 2 291 45 4 107 17 0 480
2015 19 1 280 47 2 99 23 0 471
2016 16 3 287 58 2 96 38 0 500
2017 16 4 281 67 3 87 63 0 521
2018 17 4 281 85 2 71 85 0 545
2019 16 3 278 86 1 63 92 0 539
2020 15 4 275 97 1 65 98 0 555
2021 14 1 264 102 1 65 107 0 554
2022 14 1 251 95 0 69 108 0 538
2023 12 2 243 91 1 62 119 0 530

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 Pearl City Highlands School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 431 28.0 15.3 8.1
1989 440 23.0 19.1 4.5
1990 408 21.5 18.9 7.6
1991 420 21.0 20.0 6.7
1992 432 21.5 20.0 6.5
1993 451 23.0 19.6 6
1994 451 23.0 19.6 4.7
1995 434 24.0 18.1 14.3
1996 434 24.0 18.1 14.3
1997 460 26.0 17.7 21.2
1998 442 27.0 16.4 17.4
1999 442 25.0 17.7 26.9
2000 433 25.0 17.3 27
2001 394 25.0 15.8 36.8
2002 377 23.0 16.4 36.1
2003 377 23.0 16.4 36.1
2004 364 23.0 15.8 30.2
2005 347 24.0 14.5 30.3
2006 344 21.0 16.4 26.2
2007 335 23.0 14.6 31.3
2008 349 24.0 14.5 21.5
2009 372 25.0 14.9 24.7
2010 394 26.0 15.1 29.4
2011 410 25.0 16.4 31.5
2012 436 23.0 18.9 31.7
2013 448 25.0 17.9 33.7
2014 480 26.0 18.4 33.8
2015 471 25.0 18.8 29.5
2016 500 27.0 18.5 32.6
2017 521 27.0 19.2 30.1
2018 545 30.0 18.1 27.2
2019 539 28.0 19.2 23.6
2020 555 29.0 19.1 25
2021 554 32.0 17.3 28
2022 538 32.0 16.8 22.9
2023 530 33.0 16.0 23.2

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 Pearl City Highlands School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 431 28.0 15.3 8.1
1989 440 23.0 19.1 4.5
1990 408 21.5 18.9 7.6
1991 420 21.0 20.0 6.7
1992 432 21.5 20.0 6.5
1993 451 23.0 19.6 6
1994 451 23.0 19.6 4.7
1995 434 24.0 18.1 14.3
1996 434 24.0 18.1 14.3
1997 460 26.0 17.7 21.2
1998 442 27.0 16.4 17.4
1999 442 25.0 17.7 26.9
2000 433 25.0 17.3 27
2001 394 25.0 15.8 36.8
2002 377 23.0 16.4 36.1
2003 377 23.0 16.4 36.1
2004 364 23.0 15.8 30.2
2005 347 24.0 14.5 30.3
2006 344 21.0 16.4 26.2
2007 335 23.0 14.6 31.3
2008 349 24.0 14.5 21.5
2009 372 25.0 14.9 24.7
2010 394 26.0 15.1 29.4
2011 410 25.0 16.4 31.5
2012 436 23.0 18.9 31.7
2013 448 25.0 17.9 33.7
2014 480 26.0 18.4 33.8
2015 471 25.0 18.8 29.5
2016 500 27.0 18.5 32.6
2017 521 27.0 19.2 30.1
2018 545 30.0 18.1 27.2
2019 539 28.0 19.2 23.6
2020 555 29.0 19.1 25
2021 554 32.0 17.3 28
2022 538 32.0 16.8 22.9
2023 530 33.0 16.0 23.2

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 Pearl City Highlands School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $841 (5.9%) $13,476 (94.1%) $14,317

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Pearl City Highlands 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 15th of 196 Elementary schoolsRanks 25th of 195 Elementary schools
 5.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pearl City Highlands School)8383
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5349
 4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pearl City Highlands School)8783
 4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)5652
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl City Highlands School)7057
 13%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5251
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pearl City Highlands School)7254
 18%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4950
 1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl City Highlands School)8174
 7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5755
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pearl City Highlands School)7070
   5th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4444
6th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl City Highlands School)6884
 16%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5351
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Pearl City Highlands School)5975
 16%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4139
 2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Pearl City Highlands School)7674
 2%
All Grades Mathematics (Pearl City Highlands School)7270
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students539530
 1.7%
African American32
 33.3%
American Indian11
Asian278243
 12.6%
Hispanic8691
 5.8%
Pacific Islander6362
 1.6%
White1612
 25%
Two or More Races92119
 29.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients23.6%23.2%
 0.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Pearl City Highlands School

Students at Pearl City Highlands School are 46% Asian, 22% Two or more races, 17% Hispanic, 12% Pacific Islander, 2% White.

Pearl City Highlands School ranks 25th of 207 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 530 students attended Pearl City Highlands School.

Students who attend Pearl City Highlands School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Highlands Intermediate School
High : Pearl City 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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