For the 2025 school year, there are 55 public schools serving 27,203 students in Hawaii County, HI (there are 22 private schools, serving 5,392 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Hawaii County, HI are educated in public schools (compared to the HI state average of 80%).
The top ranked public schools in Hawaii County, HI are Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School, Innovations - Pcs and Kona Pacific - Pcs. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hawaii County, HI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Hawaii public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Hawaii County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Hawaii public schools.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Hawaii public school average of 89% (majority Asian).
Best Public Schools in Hawaii County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
278 Ainako Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4855
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4855
Grades: PK-6
| 465 students
Rank: #22.
Innovations - Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
75-5815 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 331-3130
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 331-3130
Grades: K-8
| 240 students
Rank: #33.
Kona Pacific - Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
79-7595 Mamalahoa Hwy
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 322-4900
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 322-4900
Grades: PK-8
| 178 students
Rank: #44.
Waiakea High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
155 W Kawili St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4888
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4888
Grades: 9-12
| 1,217 students
Rank: #55.
Ke Ana Laahana - Pcs
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
160 Baker Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-6228
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-6228
Grades: 7-12
| 26 students
Rank: #66.
Waiakea Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
180 W Puainako St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-7215
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-7215
Grades: PK-5
| 725 students
Rank: #77.
Kaumana Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1710 Kaumana Dr
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4190
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4190
Grades: PK-6
| 228 students
Rank: #88.
Waiakeawaena Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2420 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-7200
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-7200
Grades: PK-5
| 672 students
Rank: #99.
Holualoa Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
76-5957 Mamalahoa Hwy
Holualoa, HI 96725
(808) 322-4800
Holualoa, HI 96725
(808) 322-4800
Grades: PK-5
| 437 students
Rank: #1010.
Haaheo Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
121 Haaheo Rd
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4111
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4111
Grades: PK-6
| 132 students
Rank: #1111.
Konawaena High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
81-1043 Konawaena School Rd
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 323-4500
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 323-4500
Grades: 9-12
| 924 students
Rank: #1212.
Kahakai Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
76-147 Royal Poinciana Dr
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 327-4313
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 327-4313
Grades: PK-5
| 538 students
Rank: #1313.
Hilo Intermediate School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
587 Waianuenue Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4955
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4955
Grades: 7-8
| 486 students
Rank: #1414.
West Hawaii Explorations Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
73-4500 Kahilihili St
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 327-4751
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 327-4751
Grades: 6-12
| 275 students
Rank: #1515.
Honokaa Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
45-534 Pakalana St
Honokaa, HI 96727
(808) 775-8820
Honokaa, HI 96727
(808) 775-8820
Grades: PK-6
| 376 students
Rank: #1616.
Kanu O Ka Aina - New Century Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
64-1043 Hiiaka St
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-8144
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-8144
Grades: K-12
| 625 students
Rank: #1717.
Waikoloa Elementary And Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
68-1730 Hooko St
Waikoloa, HI 96738
(808) 883-6808
Waikoloa, HI 96738
(808) 883-6808
Grades: PK-8
| 728 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Hilo High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
556 Waianuenue Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4021
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4021
Grades: 9-12
| 1,192 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Kealakehe High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
74-5000 Puohulihuli St
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 327-4300
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 327-4300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,397 students
Rank: #2020.
Hawaii Academy Of Arts & Science Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
15-1397 Post Office Rd
Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 965-3730
Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 965-3730
Grades: K-12
| 708 students
Rank: #2121.
Hilo Union Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
506 Waianuenue Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 933-0900
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 933-0900
Grades: PK-6
| 446 students
Rank: #2222.
Konawaena Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
81-901 Onouli Rd
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 323-4555
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 323-4555
Grades: PK-5
| 530 students
Rank: #2323.
Waiakea Intermediate School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 W Puainako St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-7231
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-7231
Grades: 6-8
| 854 students
Rank: #2424.
Honokaa High & Intermediate School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
45-527 Pakalana St
Honokaa, HI 96727
(808) 775-8800
Honokaa, HI 96727
(808) 775-8800
Grades: 7-12
| 669 students
Rank: #2525.
Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43-1497 Hauola Rd
Paauilo, HI 96776
(808) 776-7710
Paauilo, HI 96776
(808) 776-7710
Grades: PK-9
| 202 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Kohala High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
54-3611 Akoni Pule Hwy
Kapaau, HI 96755
(808) 889-7117
Kapaau, HI 96755
(808) 889-7117
Grades: 9-12
| 252 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Volcano School Of Arts & Sciences - A Community Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
99-128 Old Volcano Rd
Volcano, HI 96785
(808) 985-9800
Volcano, HI 96785
(808) 985-9800
Grades: PK-12
| 308 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Hookena Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
86-4355 Mamalahoa Hwy
Captain Cook, HI 96704
(808) 328-2710
Captain Cook, HI 96704
(808) 328-2710
Grades: PK-5
| 99 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Keaukaha Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
240 Desha Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4181
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4181
Grades: PK-6
| 358 students
Rank: #3030.
Konawaena Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
81-1045 Konawaena School Rd
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 323-4566
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 323-4566
Grades: 6-8
| 614 students
Rank: #3131.
Kua O Ka La - Ncpcs
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
345 Makalika
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-5866
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 981-5866
Grades: PK-8
| 185 students
Rank: #3232.
Waimea Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
67-1225 Mamalahoa Hwy
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-7636
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-7636
Grades: PK-5
| 456 students
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Ka Umeke Kaeo - Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Kalanianaole Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-0470
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-0470
Grades: PK-12
| 275 students
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Kohala Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
54-3609 Akoni Pule Hwy
Kapaau, HI 96755
(808) 889-7100
Kapaau, HI 96755
(808) 889-7100
Grades: PK-5
| 374 students
Rank: #3535.
Waimea Middle - Pccs
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-6090
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 887-6090
Grades: 6-8
| 209 students
Show 20 more public schools in Hawaii County, HI (out of 55 total schools)
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Hawaii County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
94-1581 Kaulua Circle
Naalehu, HI 96772
(808) 498-0761
Naalehu, HI 96772
(808) 498-0761
Grades: 3-7
| 79 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Hawaii County, HI?
The top ranked public schools in Hawaii County, HI include Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School, Innovations - Pcs and Kona Pacific - Pcs.
How many public schools are located in Hawaii County?
55 public schools are located in Hawaii County.
What percentage of students in Hawaii County go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Hawaii County are educated in public schools (compared to the HI state average of 80%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hawaii County?
Hawaii County public schools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Hawaii public schools average of 89% (majority Asian).
Which public schools in Hawaii County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Hawaii County include: Konawaena High School vs. Kealakehe High School, Waiakea High School vs. Hilo High School, Waiakeawaena Elementary School vs. Waiakea Elementary School
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