Keaau High School

Q: Is Keaau High School a good school?

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

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:
38^th of 67 Hawaii High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,149

Feeder schools for Keaau High School:

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

Student/teacher ratio: 15.8

Number of students: 1,046

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

32.5%

Hispanic:

24.8%

Asian:

14.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 72.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Keaau High School ranks worse than 56.7% of high schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 31^st among 44 ranked high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.72. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Keaau High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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

Compare Details Keaau High School has the largest high school student body size in the Hawaii Department of Education School District. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Keaau High School is $17,149, which is the 10^th highest among 44 high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Keaau High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Keaau High School 38^th 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 1^st of 1 Hawaii school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Keaau High School

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Rank History for all students at Keaau High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	HI State Percentile
2006	59.42	21^st	56	62.5%
2007	57.21	32^nd	60	46.7%
2008	44.92	24^th	39	38.5%
2009	14.58	50^th	55	9.1%
2010	17.88	52^nd	56	7.1%
2011	45.06	33^rd	56	41.1%
2012	59.45	23^rd	58	60.3%
2013	48.70	31^st	56	44.6%
2015	47.18	29^th	51	43.1%
2016	16.62	47^th	53	11.3%
2017	21.55	39^th	63	38.1%
2018	35.52	37^th	53	30.2%
2019	27.97	38^th	52	26.9%
2021	26.95	37^th	48	22.9%
2022	23.53	42^nd	52	19.2%
2023	33.04	38^th	53	28.3%
2024	37.72	38^th	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	42^nd	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	56^th	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	22^nd	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	20^th	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	20^th	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	31^st	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	43^rd	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.

Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a citizen
Saturday, July 9, 2022

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

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2000	71	3	169	25	6	n/a	n/a	274
2001	121	5	294	45	10	n/a	n/a	475
2002	242	15	652	77	10	n/a	n/a	996
2003	242	15	652	77	10	n/a	n/a	996
2004	211	12	621	70	9	n/a	n/a	923
2005	215	4	596	59	6	n/a	n/a	880
2006	227	3	580	55	2	n/a	n/a	867
2007	225	4	659	65	7	n/a	n/a	960
2008	227	8	656	71	8	n/a	n/a	970
2009	219	11	660	75	6	n/a	n/a	971
2010	204	6	659	73	4	n/a	n/a	946
2011	215	15	238	42	6	412	1	929
2012	168	11	240	51	8	432	5	915
2013	141	15	237	50	11	409	14	877
2014	112	17	226	52	11	398	16	832
2015	124	9	221	66	12	408	31	871
2016	136	14	237	90	12	454	45	988
2017	138	8	225	90	12	450	50	973
2018	145	7	223	116	10	474	55	1030
2019	141	8	221	132	13	469	48	1032
2020	149	9	201	138	15	455	62	1029
2021	134	8	195	179	14	426	94	1050
2022	138	7	188	228	10	403	119	1093
2023	124	8	155	259	7	340	153	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

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

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

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total 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 38^th of 52 High schools	Ranks 38^th 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)	39	52	13%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)	59	59
11th Grade Mathematics (Keaau High School)	27	20	7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)	30	25	5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Keaau High School)	39	49	10%
All Grades Mathematics (Keaau High School)	27	18	9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1032	1046	1.4%
African American	8	8
American Indian	13	7	46.2%
Asian	221	155	29.9%
Hispanic	132	259	96.2%
Pacific Islander	469	340	27.5%
White	141	124	12.1%
Two or More Races	48	153	218.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	76.6%	72.7%	3.9%

Schools Near Keaau High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				HSA Biology I (2024)	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2024)	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	HSA Biology I All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Keaau High School	Public	9-12	16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Rd	Keaau	96749	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 982-4220	1,046	66	15.8	72.7%	124 (11.9%)	8 (0.8%)	259 (24.8%)	155 (14.8%)	7 (0.7%)	340 (32.5%)	153 (14.6%)	37.7	38^th of 67 public high schools	43.3%		33	38^th of 53 public high schools	28.3%		21.2	49.8	14.0	$17,149	$1,502	$15,647
Waiakea High School	Public	9-12	155 W Kawili St	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 974-4888	1,297	77	16.8	42.7%	128 (9.9%)	5 (0.4%)	256 (19.7%)	299 (23.1%)	0 (0.0%)	365 (28.1%)	244 (18.8%)	78.1	6^th of 67 public high schools	91.0%		91.1	3^rd of 53 public high schools	94.3%	3	43.5	72.3	38.6	$16,204	$1,517	$14,687
Ke Ana Laahana - PCS	Public, Charter	7-12	160 Baker Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 961-6228	34	2	17.0	38.2%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (17.6%)	1 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (67.6%)	4 (11.8%)	8.3	57^th of 67 public high schools	14.9%					(n/a)	12.5	26.1	4.4	$13,572	$4,115	$9,457
Hilo High School	Public	9-12	556 Waianuenue Ave	Hilo	96720	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 974-4021	1,317	78	16.8	51.6%	96 (7.3%)	3 (0.2%)	242 (18.4%)	204 (15.5%)	0 (0.0%)	565 (42.9%)	207 (15.7%)	46.9	29^th of 67 public high schools	56.7%		47.6	31^st of 53 public high schools	41.5%	2	39.5	36.5	12.7	$17,046	$1,569	$15,477
Pahoa High & Intermediate School	Public	7-12	15-3038 Puna Rd	Pahoa	96778	Hawaii County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 965-2150	723	50	14.4	74.4%	80 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	209 (28.9%)	73 (10.1%)	2 (0.3%)	271 (37.5%)	88 (12.2%)	12.6	55^th of 67 public high schools	17.9%		24.2	42^nd of 53 public high schools	20.8%	13	17.2	27.3	16.2	$19,147	$2,115	$17,032

Keaau High School

Keaau High School:

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Hawaii Department of Education:

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Keaau High School

Rank History for all students at Keaau High School

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Keaau High School

Rank History for Special Education students at Keaau High School

Rank History for Asian students at Keaau High School

Rank History for African American students at Keaau High School

Rank History for Hispanic students at Keaau High School

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Keaau High School

Rank History for White students at Keaau High School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Keaau High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Keaau High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Keaau High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Keaau High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Keaau High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Keaau High School

Keaau High School

Waiakea High School

Ke Ana Laahana - PCS

Hilo High School

Pahoa High & Intermediate School

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