Waiakea High School

1,297 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Waiakea High School, located in Hilo on the island of Hawaii, serves as a prominent public secondary school within the Hawaii State Department of Education system. Known for its strong sense of community and school spirit, the institution places a significant emphasis on both academic excellence and student development. The school offers a diverse range of programs, including rigorous college-preparatory courses, career and technical education (CTE) pathways, and a variety of extracurricular activities that allow students to explore interests in athletics, arts, and leadership.

The school is well-regarded for its collaborative culture and its deep ties to the surrounding Hilo community. By fostering a supportive environment, Waiakea High aims to prepare its diverse student body for post-secondary success, whether that leads to higher education, vocational training, or direct entry into the workforce. Its location near the University of Hawaii at Hilo also provides students with unique opportunities for partnerships and academic enrichment, helping to bridge the gap between high school and collegiate environments.

1,297

Total Students

77.0

Full-Time Teachers

16.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

37.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Waiakea High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	128
Hispanic	256
Black	5
Asian	299
Two or More	244
Pacific Islander	365

Pacific Islander
365 (28.1 %)
Asian
299 (23.1 %)
Hispanic
256 (19.7 %)
Two or More
244 (18.8 %)
White
128 (9.9 %)
Black
5 (0.4 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High 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)974-4888
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	1,297
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	77.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	394
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	86

* 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

Grade 9 381

Grade 10 333

Grade 11 295

Grade 12 277

Ungraded 11