NIIHAU HIGH & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Niihau High & Elementary School is a Title I public school that is part of the Hawaii Department of Education school district, located in Waimea, HI with about 9 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 2 teachers, Niihau High & Elementary School has a student/teacher ratio of about 4:1. 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.

Niihau High & Elementary School is a unique educational institution located on the island of Niihau, Hawaii. Because Niihau is privately owned and famously maintains a traditional, secluded lifestyle, the school operates under the administrative oversight of Waimea High School on the neighboring island of Kauai. This arrangement allows the school to provide a formal curriculum to the children of the island’s permanent residents while respecting the distinct cultural autonomy and geographic isolation of the community.

The school is notable for being one of the smallest and most remote in the United States. Its instructional approach is designed to balance standard academic requirements with the preservation of the Niihau dialect of the Hawaiian language and the island's traditional values. By operating under the umbrella of the Hawaii Department of Education through the Waimea complex, the school ensures that its students have access to state-certified resources and educational continuity, bridging the gap between a traditional, heritage-focused upbringing and the broader educational standards of the state.

For more information, contact Niihau High & Elementary School at (808) 338-6800 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.