Best Public Schools in Hawaii

Top 50 schools ranked by resource quality score. Based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs & attendance. NCES CCD 2022-23.

89/100
Top Score
Kulanihakoi High School
53/100
Avg Score (Top 50)
50
Schools Ranked
HI
State
# School Score Grade
1. Kulanihakoi High School Kihei 89 A
2. Waianae High School Waianae 64 C+
3. Major Sheldon Wheeler Middle School Wahiawa 64 C+
4. Halau Ku Mana - a New Century Pcs Honolulu 64 C+
5. Hokulani Elementary School Honolulu 62 C+
6. Mililani Ike Elementary School Mililani 61 C+
7. Lt Col Horrace Meek Hickam Elementary School Honolulu 59 C
8. Dreamhouse Ewa Beach Kapolei 59 C
9. Manoa Elementary School Honolulu 58 C
10. Kaimuki Middle School Honolulu 57 C
11. President Theodore Roosevelt High School Honolulu 55 C
12. Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School Honolulu 55 C
13. Kanuikapono - Pcs Anahola 55 C
14. Olomana School Kailua 55 C
15. Mililani High School Mililani 54 C-
16. Kalani High School Honolulu 54 C-
17. Niu Valley Middle School Honolulu 54 C-
18. Aiea Intermediate School Aiea 54 C-
19. Moanalua High School Honolulu 53 C-
20. Gustav H Webling Elementary School Aiea 53 C-
21. School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability Honolulu 53 C-
22. Nuuanu Elementary School Honolulu 52 C-
23. West Hawaii Explorations Academy Kailua-Kona 52 C-
24. Henry J Kaiser High School Honolulu 51 C-
25. Highlands Intermediate School Pearl City 51 C-
26. Mokapu Elementary School Kailua 51 C-
27. Aliamanu Middle School Honolulu 51 C-
28. Pearl Ridge Elementary School Aiea 51 C-
29. Hawaii Technology Academy - Pcs Waipahu 50 C-
30. Mililani Mauka Elementary School Mililani 50 C-
31. University Laboratory School Honolulu 50 C-
32. Princess Ruth Keelikolani Middle School Honolulu 50 C-
33. Kalaheo High School Kailua 49 D
34. Kapunahala Elementary School Kaneohe 49 D
35. Kaelepulu Elementary School Kailua 49 D
36. Pearl City High School Pearl City 48 D
37. Admiral Arthur W Radford High School Honolulu 48 D
38. Waiakea Intermediate School Hilo 48 D
39. Moanalua Middle School Honolulu 48 D
40. Waikele Elementary School Waipahu 48 D
41. Mayor John H Wilson Elementary School Honolulu 48 D
42. William P Jarrett Middle School Honolulu 48 D
43. Haleiwa Elementary School Haleiwa 48 D
44. Waipahu Intermediate School Waipahu 47 D
45. King David Kalakaua Middle School Honolulu 47 D
46. Moanalua Elementary School Honolulu 47 D
47. Admiral Chester W Nimitz Elementary School Honolulu 47 D
48. Waialua High & Intermediate School Waialua 47 D
49. Governor Sanford B Dole Middle School Honolulu 47 D
50. Waimea Canyon Middle School Waimea 47 D

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best public schools in Hawaii? ▼

The top-rated school in Hawaii is Kulanihakoi High School in Kihei with a quality score of 89/100 (grade A). Rankings are based on student-teacher ratio, counselor availability, gifted programs, and attendance rates from NCES data.

How are school quality scores calculated? ▼

Quality scores (0-100) are computed from NCES data across 4 metrics: student-teacher ratio (lower is better, national avg ~16:1), counselor availability (ASCA recommends 250:1), gifted program availability, and chronic absenteeism rate (lower is better). This measures school resources, not test scores.

Explore More for Hawaii

All Schools → Largest Schools → Absenteeism Data → Highest Spending → National Ranking →

Methodology

Quality scores (0-100) are computed from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 metrics: student-teacher ratio, school counselor availability, gifted program access, and chronic absenteeism rates. Schools must have at least 50 students and data for one or more metrics. This measures resource quality, not test scores. Higher scores indicate smaller class sizes, better counselor access, and lower absenteeism.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.