Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School

486 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 6th

School Overview

Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School, located in the lush landscape of Hilo, Hawaii, serves as a foundational educational institution for the local community. Named in honor of a prominent local educator and civic leader, the school is deeply integrated into the cultural and historical fabric of the Big Island. It caters to a diverse student body, fostering an environment that emphasizes both academic growth and the development of character, drawing heavily on the values of the Hilo community.

The school is recognized for its commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive learning atmosphere, often incorporating place-based education that celebrates Hawaii’s unique geography and heritage. With a focus on literacy, STEM integration, and social-emotional learning, E.B. DeSilva strives to prepare its students for the transition to middle school while encouraging them to become responsible, engaged citizens. Through various school programs and community partnerships, the school maintains a strong connection with local families, ensuring that education remains a collaborative effort centered on student success.

486

Total Students

24.0

Full-Time Teachers

20.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

22.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	54
Hispanic	111
Asian	70
Two or More	176
Pacific Islander	75

Two or More
176 (36.2 %)
Hispanic
111 (22.8 %)
Pacific Islander
75 (15.4 %)
Asian
70 (14.4 %)
White
54 (11.1 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Hawaii Department of Education
Phone:	(808)974-4855
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 6th
Total Students:	486
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	24.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	20.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	92
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	18

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 5

Kindergarten 73

Grade 1 56

Grade 2 70

Grade 3 76

Grade 4 70

Grade 5 70

Grade 6 66

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School
Grade	Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten	5
Kindergarten	73
Grade 1	56
Grade 2	70
Grade 3	76
Grade 4	70
Grade 5	70
Grade 6	66

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	254	52.3%
Male	232	47.7%

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory PCS

Hawaii Department of Education

Charter School 460 Students

16-120 Opukahaia St
Keaau, HI 96749 (9.1 miles away)

Elementary School Pre-K - 8th