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Waimea High School

Summary:

Waimea High School is a public high school located in Waimea, Hawaii, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 767 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.

Waimea High School's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is generally lower than the state average. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school had 43.58% of students proficient or better in Smarter Balanced Assessments/English Language Arts, 11.93% in Smarter Balanced Assessments/Mathematics, and 23.3% in HSA/Biology I. The school's four-year graduation rate for the 2023-2024 school year was 84.0%, which is lower than the state average. Additionally, Waimea High School had a chronic absenteeism rate of 20.4% in the 2023-2024 school year, which is higher than the state average. However, the school has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, with 49.93% of students qualifying in the 2022-2023 school year, and a lower student-teacher ratio of 15.6 in the 2022-2023 school year.

The closest comparable school is Kauai High School, which is located approximately 19.73 miles away. Kauai High School has a higher statewide ranking, with a 3-star rating compared to Waimea High School's 2-star rating in the 2023-2024 school year. Kauai High School also has higher academic performance, with 58.5% of students proficient or better in Smarter Balanced Assessments/English Language Arts, 21.65% in Smarter Balanced Assessments/Mathematics, and 15.89% in HSA/Biology I. Waimea High School's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 22nd out of 53 Hawaii high schools in the 2017-2018 school year to 42nd out of 67 in the 2023-2024 school year.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 9707 Tsuchiya Rd
       Waimea, HI  96796

(808) 338-6800

District: Hawaii Department of Education

SchoolDigger Rank:
42nd of 67 Hawaii High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,813 Help


Feeder schools for Waimea High School:

Elementary:    Eleele Elementary School
    Kekaha Elementary School
Middle:    Waimea Canyon Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.6 Help
Number of students:  759

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:
29.6%
Asian:
28.3%
Hispanic:
18.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  50.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Waimea High School ranks worse than 62.7% of high schools in Hawaii. It also ranks 35th among 44 ranked high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 31.31. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Waimea High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Student population at Waimea High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Pacific Islander (29.6%), Asian (28.3%), Hispanic (18.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 50.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Waimea High School is 15.6. 28 high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Waimea High School employs 48.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Waimea High School is $17,813, which is the 8th highest among 44 high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Waimea High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Waimea High School 42nd of 67 Hawaii public high schools. (See Waimea 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.)


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Rank History for Waimea High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 20.98 51st 56 8.9%
2007 62.50 23rd 60 61.7%
2008 58.67 16th 39 59.0%
2009 60.75 21st 55 61.8%
2010 39.54 38th 56 32.1%
2011 19.23 51st 56 8.9%
2012 65.78 17th 58 70.7%
2013 36.49 39th 56 30.4%
2015 40.84 33rd 51 35.3%
2016 28.18 43rd 53 18.9%
2017 19.23 44th 63 30.2%
2018 58.80 22nd 53 58.5%
2019 25.24 41st 52 21.2%
2021 27.91 36th 48 25.0%
2022 23.24 43rd 52 17.3%
2023 26.76 40th 53 24.5%
2024 31.31 42nd 67 37.3%
See the entire list of Hawaii High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 46.98 20th 59 66.1%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 54.81 29th 67 56.7%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 35.31 51st 65 21.5%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 57.14 27th 55 50.9%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 71.33 14th 52 73.1%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 63.43 15th 61 75.4%
See the entire list of Best Hawaii High Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Waimea High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools HI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 16.61 57th 64 10.9%
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.

Waimea High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Hawaii Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Waimea High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 168 0 666 19 0 n/a n/a 0 853
1990 160 0 633 16 1 n/a n/a 0 810
1991 148 19 601 0 1 n/a n/a 0 769
1992 112 1 605 60 3 n/a n/a 0 781
1993 102 4 650 52 2 n/a n/a -1 809
1994 94 4 652 52 1 n/a n/a 0 803
1995 108 2 672 60 1 n/a n/a 0 843
1996 108 2 672 60 1 n/a n/a 0 843
1997 101 0 640 58 1 n/a n/a 12 812
1998 102 0 661 63 2 n/a n/a 0 828
1999 101 0 692 70 1 n/a n/a 0 864
2000 108 3 692 75 0 n/a n/a 0 878
2001 114 6 691 67 1 n/a n/a 0 879
2002 125 7 665 65 1 n/a n/a 0 863
2003 125 7 665 65 1 n/a n/a 0 863
2004 123 4 680 55 1 n/a n/a 0 863
2005 123 6 663 49 3 n/a n/a 0 844
2006 103 6 683 36 0 n/a n/a 0 828
2007 99 6 661 35 4 n/a n/a 0 805
2008 101 4 652 30 4 n/a n/a 0 791
2009 109 3 625 34 4 n/a n/a 0 775
2010 104 4 591 28 2 n/a n/a 0 729
2011 74 3 275 29 2 264 32 0 679
2012 60 1 267 20 1 235 34 0 618
2013 41 2 266 21 0 237 39 0 606
2014 42 3 255 20 1 218 40 0 579
2015 48 2 247 20 2 237 34 0 590
2016 47 3 229 18 2 246 33 0 578
2017 47 2 212 21 2 263 33 0 580
2018 46 1 214 22 3 256 35 0 577
2019 58 2 208 34 3 282 34 0 621
2020 60 2 217 43 3 313 38 0 676
2021 65 2 214 74 1 288 50 0 694
2022 68 4 212 99 0 297 78 0 758
2023 69 4 222 122 1 262 87 0 767
2024 68 3 215 141 1 225 106 0 759

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 Waimea High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 853 43.5 19.6 11
1990 810 46.5 17.4 8.5
1991 769 47.0 16.3 12.4
1992 781 49.0 15.9 5.9
1993 809 52.0 15.6 7.3
1994 803 51.5 15.6 5.7
1995 843 48.0 17.6 4.3
1996 843 48.0 17.6 4.3
1997 812 47.5 17.1 23.4
1998 828 49.0 16.9 25.7
1999 864 52.0 16.6 39
2000 878 50.5 17.4 38.7
2001 879 52.0 16.9 36.7
2002 863 50.0 17.3 44.4
2003 863 50.0 17.3 44.4
2004 863 52.5 16.4 39.3
2005 844 54.0 15.6 39.5
2006 828 50.5 16.4 37.6
2007 805 48.0 16.8 35.2
2008 791 49.5 16.0 33.6
2009 775 50.5 15.3 34.6
2010 729 45.5 16.0 39.1
2011 679 43.5 15.6 40.5
2012 618 40.0 15.4 45
2013 606 38.0 15.9 49.3
2014 579 36.0 16.0 48.9
2015 590 37.0 15.9 51.5
2016 578 39.0 14.8 48.4
2017 580 38.0 15.2 50.7
2018 577 39.0 14.7 49.4
2019 621 42.5 14.6 48.8
2020 676 45.5 14.8 50.3
2021 694 42.5 16.3 58.4
2022 758 42.5 17.8 52.5
2023 767 49.0 15.6 49.9
2024 759 48.5 15.6 50.9

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 Waimea High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 853 43.5 19.6 11
1990 810 46.5 17.4 8.5
1991 769 47.0 16.3 12.4
1992 781 49.0 15.9 5.9
1993 809 52.0 15.6 7.3
1994 803 51.5 15.6 5.7
1995 843 48.0 17.6 4.3
1996 843 48.0 17.6 4.3
1997 812 47.5 17.1 23.4
1998 828 49.0 16.9 25.7
1999 864 52.0 16.6 39
2000 878 50.5 17.4 38.7
2001 879 52.0 16.9 36.7
2002 863 50.0 17.3 44.4
2003 863 50.0 17.3 44.4
2004 863 52.5 16.4 39.3
2005 844 54.0 15.6 39.5
2006 828 50.5 16.4 37.6
2007 805 48.0 16.8 35.2
2008 791 49.5 16.0 33.6
2009 775 50.5 15.3 34.6
2010 729 45.5 16.0 39.1
2011 679 43.5 15.6 40.5
2012 618 40.0 15.4 45
2013 606 38.0 15.9 49.3
2014 579 36.0 16.0 48.9
2015 590 37.0 15.9 51.5
2016 578 39.0 14.8 48.4
2017 580 38.0 15.2 50.7
2018 577 39.0 14.7 49.4
2019 621 42.5 14.6 48.8
2020 676 45.5 14.8 50.3
2021 694 42.5 16.3 58.4
2022 758 42.5 17.8 52.5
2023 767 49.0 15.6 49.9
2024 759 48.5 15.6 50.9

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 Waimea High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,667 (9.4%) $16,146 (90.6%) $17,813

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Waimea 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 41st of 52 High schoolsRanks 40th of 53 High schools
 3.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts (Waimea High School)4454
 10%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Hawaii)5959
11th Grade Mathematics (Waimea High School)2313
 10%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Hawaii)3025
 5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Waimea High School)4550
 5%
All Grades Mathematics (Waimea High School)2312
 11%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students621767
 23.5%
African American24
 100%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian208222
 6.7%
Hispanic34122
 258.8%
Pacific Islander282262
 7.1%
White5869
 19%
Two or More Races3487
 155.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients48.8%49.9%
 1.1%

Schools Near Waimea High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Waimea High School

Waimea High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Eleele Elementary School
Elementary : Kekaha Elementary School
Middle : Waimea Canyon Middle School

In the 2023-24 school year, 759 students attended Waimea High School.

Students at Waimea High School are 30% Pacific Islander, 28% Asian, 19% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 9% White.

Waimea High School ranks 42nd of 67 Hawaii high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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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.




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