Keaau High School

Summary:

Keaau High School is a public high school located in Keaau, Hawaii, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,046 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.

Keaau High School has a diverse student population, with a significant percentage of Pacific Islander (32.5%) and Hispanic (24.76%) students. The school has consistently ranked in the middle to lower range of Hawaii high schools, ranking 38th out of 67 schools in the 2023-2024 school year and receiving a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. However, the school performs relatively well in certain student subgroups, ranking in the top 20-30 among Hawaii high schools for Asian, African American, and Hispanic students. Keaau High School has a 87.3% four-year graduation rate, which is higher than the nearby Pahoa High & Intermediate School (81.4%) but lower than Hilo High School (89.5%) and Waiakea High School (90.6%).

One significant concern at Keaau High School is the high chronic absenteeism rate of 37.4%, which is significantly higher than the nearby Hilo High School (22.6%) and Waiakea High School (16.2%). The school's academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates in Smarter Balanced Assessments and HSA/Biology I, is generally lower than the nearby high-performing schools like Waiakea High School, but higher than the lower-performing Pahoa High & Intermediate School and Ke Ana Laahana - PCS. Additionally, Keaau High School has a high percentage of students (72.66%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a relatively high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Rd
       Keaau, HI  96749


(808) 982-4220

District: Hawaii Department of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
38th of 67 Hawaii High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,149 Help


Feeder schools for Keaau High School:

Elementary:    Keaau Elementary School
    Mountain View Elementary School
Middle:    Keaau Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.8 Help
Number of students:  1,046

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:
32.5%
Hispanic:
24.8%
Asian:
14.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  72.7% Help


 See top rated Hawaii high schools

 Compare Keaau High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Keaau High School ranks worse than 56.7% of high schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 31st among 44 ranked high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.72. (See more...)
Help
The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Keaau High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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 Keaau High School has the largest high 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 Keaau High School is $17,149, which is the 10th highest among 44 high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Keaau High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Keaau High School 38th of 67 Hawaii public high schools. (See Keaau High School in the ranking list.)

High 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.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Keaau High School.

What do you think?

Your rating for Keaau High School?

Rank History for Keaau High School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 59.42 21st 56 62.5%
2007 57.21 32nd 60 46.7%
2008 44.92 24th 39 38.5%
2009 14.58 50th 55 9.1%
2010 17.88 52nd 56 7.1%
2011 45.06 33rd 56 41.1%
2012 59.45 23rd 58 60.3%
2013 48.70 31st 56 44.6%
2015 47.18 29th 51 43.1%
2016 16.62 47th 53 11.3%
2017 21.55 39th 63 38.1%
2018 35.52 37th 53 30.2%
2019 27.97 38th 52 26.9%
2021 26.95 37th 48 22.9%
2022 23.53 42nd 52 19.2%
2023 33.04 38th 53 28.3%
2024 37.72 38th 67 43.3%
See the entire list of Hawaii High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 24.96 42nd 59 28.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 0.00 56th 67 16.4%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 64.47 22nd 65 66.2%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 61.75 20th 55 63.6%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 61.42 20th 52 61.5%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 47.25 31st 61 49.2%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Keaau High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 35.96 43rd 64 32.8%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High 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.

Keaau High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Saturday, July 9, 2022

Open Quote I graduated from this school in '06 feeling accomplished and fulfilled. I look back not only with nostalgia but relief that I was free from a horrid environment.

From what I recall, there were many wasted learning opportunities. I felt the school didn't challenge the students enough to reach their maximum potential. Few teachers cared about the students, and it seemed like most were only there for another paycheck.

I recall a lot of insubordination and fist fights, which made me feel uneasy about my attendance. I was one of the better-behaved students, but I often felt comfortable with my surrounding environment. Security at the school was a big joke as the education there.

If I were a parent on the Big Island, I would do everything in my power to prevent my child or children from going to this high school. I am thankful that my brother didn't have to attend and that my time there is now a distant memory. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Keaau High School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2000 71 3 169 25 6 n/a n/a 0 274
2001 121 5 294 45 10 n/a n/a 0 475
2002 242 15 652 77 10 n/a n/a 0 996
2003 242 15 652 77 10 n/a n/a 0 996
2004 211 12 621 70 9 n/a n/a 0 923
2005 215 4 596 59 6 n/a n/a 0 880
2006 227 3 580 55 2 n/a n/a 0 867
2007 225 4 659 65 7 n/a n/a 0 960
2008 227 8 656 71 8 n/a n/a 0 970
2009 219 11 660 75 6 n/a n/a 0 971
2010 204 6 659 73 4 n/a n/a 0 946
2011 215 15 238 42 6 412 1 0 929
2012 168 11 240 51 8 432 5 0 915
2013 141 15 237 50 11 409 14 0 877
2014 112 17 226 52 11 398 16 0 832
2015 124 9 221 66 12 408 31 0 871
2016 136 14 237 90 12 454 45 0 988
2017 138 8 225 90 12 450 50 0 973
2018 145 7 223 116 10 474 55 0 1030
2019 141 8 221 132 13 469 48 0 1032
2020 149 9 201 138 15 455 62 0 1029
2021 134 8 195 179 14 426 94 0 1050
2022 138 7 188 228 10 403 119 0 1093
2023 124 8 155 259 7 340 153 0 1046

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 Keaau High School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 274 15.0 18.3 59.1
2001 475 27.0 17.6 60.6
2002 996 47.0 21.2 61.6
2003 996 47.0 21.2 61.6
2004 923 64.0 14.4 59.7
2005 880 64.0 13.8 59.1
2006 867 59.0 14.7 57.9
2007 960 61.0 15.7 63.8
2008 970 63.0 15.4 56.4
2009 971 69.0 14.1 64.8
2010 946 61.0 15.5 64
2011 929 61.0 15.2 70.4
2012 915 63.0 14.5 74.9
2013 877 65.0 13.4 73.5
2014 832 65.0 12.8 76
2015 871 61.0 14.2 77.6
2016 988 62.0 15.9 76.4
2017 973 64.0 15.2 77
2018 1030 64.0 16.0 76
2019 1032 71.0 14.5 76.6
2020 1029 69.0 14.9 77.5
2021 1050 67.0 15.6 77
2022 1093 67.0 16.3 78.6
2023 1046 66.0 15.8 72.7

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 Keaau High School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 274 15.0 18.3 59.1
2001 475 27.0 17.6 60.6
2002 996 47.0 21.2 61.6
2003 996 47.0 21.2 61.6
2004 923 64.0 14.4 59.7
2005 880 64.0 13.8 59.1
2006 867 59.0 14.7 57.9
2007 960 61.0 15.7 63.8
2008 970 63.0 15.4 56.4
2009 971 69.0 14.1 64.8
2010 946 61.0 15.5 64
2011 929 61.0 15.2 70.4
2012 915 63.0 14.5 74.9
2013 877 65.0 13.4 73.5
2014 832 65.0 12.8 76
2015 871 61.0 14.2 77.6
2016 988 62.0 15.9 76.4
2017 973 64.0 15.2 77
2018 1030 64.0 16.0 76
2019 1032 71.0 14.5 76.6
2020 1029 69.0 14.9 77.5
2021 1050 67.0 15.6 77
2022 1093 67.0 16.3 78.6
2023 1046 66.0 15.8 72.7

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 Keaau High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,502 (8.8%) $15,647 (91.2%) $17,149

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Keaau High 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 38th of 52 High schoolsRanks 38th of 53 High schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts (Keaau High School)3952
 13%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5959
11th Grade Mathematics (Keaau High School)2720
 7%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)3025
 5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Keaau High School)3949
 10%
All Grades Mathematics (Keaau High School)2718
 9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students10321046
 1.4%
African American88
American Indian137
 46.2%
Asian221155
 29.9%
Hispanic132259
 96.2%
Pacific Islander469340
 27.5%
White141124
 12.1%
Two or More Races48153
 218.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients76.6%72.7%
 3.9%


Schools Near Keaau High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Keaau High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,046 students attended Keaau High School.

Keaau High School ranks 38th of 67 Hawaii high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Keaau High School are 33% Pacific Islander, 25% Hispanic, 15% Asian, 15% Two or more races, 12% White.

Keaau High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Keaau Elementary School
Elementary : Mountain View Elementary School
Middle : Keaau Middle School


Rate Keaau High School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Keaau High School!




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 32 milliseconds.