Best Public Schools in Zip Code 96720

The 16 schools in the 96720 zip code area of Hilo, Hawaii serve students from elementary through high school, including 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. The data reveals stark differences in academic performance across these schools, with some standouts like Waiakea High School and Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School performing exceptionally well, while others like Connections - New Century PCS and Kua o ka La - NCPCS lag behind.

Waiakea High School stands out as a top performer, ranking 6th out of 67 Hawaii high schools with a 5-star rating. It has strong test scores, with 72.28% proficient or better in ELA and 38.58% in math, as well as a high 90.6% four-year graduation rate. Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary also excels, ranking 26th out of 207 Hawaii elementary schools with a 4-star rating. It has exceptional test scores, with 71.17% proficient or better in ELA and 69.2% in math, and a low 13.6% chronic absenteeism rate.

In contrast, the two charter schools in the data set, Connections - New Century PCS and Ka Umeke Kaeo - PCS, have lower test scores and graduation rates compared to the traditional public schools. This suggests that there may be significant inequities in educational opportunities and resources across the schools in the 96720 zip code area, which could be further exacerbated by the link between poverty and academic achievement observed in the data.