KAU HIGH & PAHALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is a Title I public school that is part of the Hawaii Department of Education school district, located in Pahala, HI with about 482 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 41 teachers, Kau High & Pahala Elementary School has a student/teacher ratio of about 11:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Kau High & Pahala Elementary School is a unique, K-12 public institution located in the rural community of Pahala on the Big Island of Hawaii. Serving a historically significant region once defined by the sugar plantation industry, the school functions as a central hub for the local community. Because it serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade on a single campus, it maintains a small-town atmosphere where educators often work with students and their families over the course of many years, fostering a tight-knit and supportive school culture.

The school is deeply integrated into the local culture of the Ka?u district, placing a strong emphasis on place-based learning and the preservation of Hawaiian values. Given its remote location, the school focuses on providing diverse educational opportunities that prepare students for both higher education and the local workforce. By combining the developmental needs of elementary students with the academic and vocational aspirations of high schoolers, Kau High & Pahala Elementary strives to build a strong sense of identity and resilience in its student body, ensuring they remain connected to their heritage while navigating an increasingly globalized world.

For more information, contact Kau High & Pahala Elementary School at (808) 928-2088 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.