Kapalama Elementary School

Summary:

Kapalama Elementary School is a public elementary school in Honolulu, Hawaii, serving 518 students in grades PK-5. 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.

Kapalama Elementary consistently outperforms the state average on standardized tests, with 3rd-5th grade ELA proficiency rates ranging from 61% to 63% in 2022-2023, compared to the state averages of 49% to 55%. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 13.5 to 14.3 over the past three years, and has consistently ranked in the top third of Hawaii elementary schools, placing it in the top 25% statewide. While Kapalama has a high percentage of Asian students (61.97%), it also has a significant population of Pacific Islander (11.2%) and students of two or more races (15.64%), indicating a relatively diverse student body.

Compared to nearby schools, Kapalama Elementary stands out. For example, Linapuni Elementary and Princess Miriam K Likelike Elementary have significantly higher chronic absenteeism rates, while Kaewai Elementary and Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary have lower test scores and statewide rankings. Kapalama's success can be attributed to its focus on academic excellence and its ability to serve a diverse student body effectively.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1601 North School St
       Honolulu, HI  96817


(808) 832-3290

District: Hawaii Department of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
53rd of 207 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,866 Help


Students who attend Kapalama Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    King David Kalakaua Middle School
High:    Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.3 Help
Number of students:  518

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
62.0%
Two or more races:
15.6%
Pacific Islander:
11.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  58.5% Help


 See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

 Compare Kapalama Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Kapalama Elementary School ranks better than 74.4% of elementary schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 52nd 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 80.13. (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 Kapalama 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 Kapalama Elementary School is $15,866. 120 elementary schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Kapalama Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Kapalama Elementary School 53rd of 207 Hawaii public elementary schools. (See Kapalama 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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Your rating for Kapalama Elementary School?

Rank History for Kapalama Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Kapalama Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 49.47 94th 194 51.5%
2007 56.51 78th 192 59.4%
2008 52.29 77th 146 47.3%
2009 55.83 84th 191 56.0%
2010 51.04 98th 183 46.4%
2011 54.94 86th 191 55.0%
2012 60.60 74th 195 62.1%
2013 63.61 66th 196 66.3%
2015 57.21 78th 194 59.8%
2016 59.89 75th 195 61.5%
2017 81.65 47th 207 77.3%
2018 49.60 99th 193 48.7%
2019 51.09 94th 196 52.0%
2021 51.13 94th 196 52.0%
2022 63.52 67th 193 65.3%
2023 71.45 55th 195 71.8%
2024 80.13 53rd 207 74.4%
See the entire list of Hawaii Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Kapalama Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 62.42 96th 198 51.5%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Kapalama Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 35.26 159th 207 23.2%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Kapalama Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 56.61 111th 203 45.3%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Kapalama Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 37.02 119th 160 25.6%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Kapalama 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 Pacific Islander students at Kapalama Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 53.00 104th 196 46.9%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii Elementary Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Kapalama Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 94.49 6th 202 97.0%
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.

Kapalama Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, August 2, 2010

Open Quote My daughther have been attending Kapalama Elementary School since first grade. She was attending St. John the Baptist in Kalihi, when we got a call regards request for district acception, everything have changed for our daughter, she has improved-- more relax and outgoing with school attendance. We were very surprise when droping her off without any problems and usually she does not want to be left alone and needed comforting.

She loves the teachers, and the programs the school have to offer and even with family events she tries to get everyone involve.
If you ask her, the only thing she does not like is lunch, she prefer having to choose what she want for lunch. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Kapalama 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 60 9 669 6 n/a n/a n/a 0 744
1989 57 6 692 5 0 n/a n/a 0 760
1990 53 4 706 7 0 n/a n/a 0 770
1991 53 11 731 2 0 n/a n/a 0 797
1992 55 0 680 28 1 n/a n/a 0 764
1993 54 0 714 27 0 n/a n/a 0 795
1994 57 0 695 24 1 n/a n/a 0 777
1995 52 0 704 20 1 n/a n/a -1 776
1996 52 0 704 20 1 n/a n/a -1 776
1997 46 1 702 17 1 n/a n/a 25 792
1998 40 1 723 12 0 n/a n/a 0 776
1999 41 3 719 10 1 n/a n/a 0 774
2000 36 2 746 12 2 n/a n/a 0 798
2001 36 2 741 14 1 n/a n/a 0 794
2002 29 1 700 13 3 n/a n/a 0 746
2003 29 1 700 13 3 n/a n/a 0 746
2004 23 2 685 10 1 n/a n/a 0 721
2005 20 1 674 11 1 n/a n/a 0 707
2006 28 3 696 5 2 n/a n/a 0 734
2007 17 3 597 8 0 n/a n/a 0 625
2008 23 3 603 7 1 n/a n/a 0 637
2009 25 1 641 7 1 n/a n/a 0 675
2010 27 1 658 9 1 n/a n/a 0 696
2011 7 1 464 17 1 158 26 0 674
2012 10 1 449 29 0 162 42 0 693
2013 9 2 454 29 0 136 49 0 679
2014 8 0 428 29 0 124 54 0 643
2015 8 0 400 16 0 110 71 0 605
2016 5 5 383 24 0 97 71 0 585
2017 5 4 371 44 0 70 81 0 575
2018 2 0 367 43 0 63 91 0 566
2019 1 2 384 46 0 76 86 0 595
2020 1 1 369 57 0 71 93 0 592
2021 2 0 358 58 0 59 82 0 559
2022 1 0 329 54 0 54 91 0 529
2023 3 0 321 55 0 58 81 0 518

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 Kapalama Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 744 41.0 18.1 19.5
1989 760 36.0 21.1 22.9
1990 770 39.0 19.7 19.9
1991 797 42.0 18.9 16.2
1992 764 41.5 18.4 20.8
1993 795 39.5 20.1 16.5
1994 777 40.5 19.2 16.5
1995 776 40.0 19.4 17.2
1996 776 40.0 19.4 17.2
1997 792 41.0 19.3 27.5
1998 776 37.5 20.7 25.6
1999 774 39.0 19.8 36.6
2000 798 38.5 20.7 36.3
2001 794 38.5 20.6 46.7
2002 746 36.0 20.7 53.8
2003 746 36.0 20.7 53.8
2004 721 38.0 19.0 51.7
2005 707 36.5 19.4 53.3
2006 734 38.5 19.1 53.4
2007 625 36.5 17.1 53.6
2008 637 37.5 17.0 52.4
2009 675 37.0 18.2 56.6
2010 696 36.5 19.0 57
2011 674 37.0 18.2 56.5
2012 693 37.0 18.7 59.7
2013 679 37.0 18.3 61.7
2014 643 36.0 17.8 58.5
2015 605 36.0 16.8 58.7
2016 585 36.0 16.2 55.9
2017 575 35.5 16.1 53.6
2018 566 35.5 15.9 53.5
2019 595 35.5 16.7 51.9
2020 592 38.0 15.5 54.6
2021 559 39.0 14.3 56.7
2022 529 39.0 13.5 54.4
2023 518 36.0 14.3 58.5

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 Kapalama Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 744 41.0 18.1 19.5
1989 760 36.0 21.1 22.9
1990 770 39.0 19.7 19.9
1991 797 42.0 18.9 16.2
1992 764 41.5 18.4 20.8
1993 795 39.5 20.1 16.5
1994 777 40.5 19.2 16.5
1995 776 40.0 19.4 17.2
1996 776 40.0 19.4 17.2
1997 792 41.0 19.3 27.5
1998 776 37.5 20.7 25.6
1999 774 39.0 19.8 36.6
2000 798 38.5 20.7 36.3
2001 794 38.5 20.6 46.7
2002 746 36.0 20.7 53.8
2003 746 36.0 20.7 53.8
2004 721 38.0 19.0 51.7
2005 707 36.5 19.4 53.3
2006 734 38.5 19.1 53.4
2007 625 36.5 17.1 53.6
2008 637 37.5 17.0 52.4
2009 675 37.0 18.2 56.6
2010 696 36.5 19.0 57
2011 674 37.0 18.2 56.5
2012 693 37.0 18.7 59.7
2013 679 37.0 18.3 61.7
2014 643 36.0 17.8 58.5
2015 605 36.0 16.8 58.7
2016 585 36.0 16.2 55.9
2017 575 35.5 16.1 53.6
2018 566 35.5 15.9 53.5
2019 595 35.5 16.7 51.9
2020 592 38.0 15.5 54.6
2021 559 39.0 14.3 56.7
2022 529 39.0 13.5 54.4
2023 518 36.0 14.3 58.5

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 Kapalama Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,539 (9.7%) $14,327 (90.3%) $15,866

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Kapalama 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 94th of 196 Elementary schoolsRanks 55th of 195 Elementary schools
 19.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Kapalama Elementary School)4763
 16%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5349
 4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Kapalama Elementary School)5170
 19%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)5652
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Kapalama Elementary School)4261
 19%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5251
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Kapalama Elementary School)4053
 13%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4950
 1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Kapalama Elementary School)7063
 7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5755
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Kapalama Elementary School)5655
 1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)4444
All Grades English Language Arts (Kapalama Elementary School)5462
 8%
All Grades Mathematics (Kapalama Elementary School)5159
 8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students595518
 12.9%
African American20
 100%
American Indian00
Asian384321
 16.4%
Hispanic4655
 19.6%
Pacific Islander7658
 23.7%
White13
 200%
Two or More Races8681
 5.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients51.9%58.5%
 6.6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Kapalama Elementary School

Kapalama Elementary School ranks 53rd of 207 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 518 students attended Kapalama Elementary School.

Students at Kapalama Elementary School are 62% Asian, 16% Two or more races, 11% Pacific Islander, 11% Hispanic.


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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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