Public schools in Kailua-Kona, HI
6 open public schools with an address in Kailua-Kona, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
6
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
4,036
6 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
15.3:1
Hawaii median 14.1:1
Charter schools
2
0 virtual
An overview of Kailua-Kona public schools
The federal directory lists 6 public schools in Kailua-Kona, HI: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high. The 6 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 4,036 students, an average of 673 per school. The largest campus is Kealakehe High School (1,401 students), and the largest elementary school is Kealakehe Elementary School (924).
Every listed school belongs to Hawaii Department of Education. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 15.3:1, higher than the statewide school median of 14.1:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 2 charter schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 2 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 2 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 1 of 2 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 55% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Kailua-Kona
Elementary schools in Kailua-Kona
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovations - PCS Hawaii Department of Education · Charter | KG–08 | 241 | 17.2:1 | |
| Kahakai Elementary School Hawaii Department of Education | PK–05 | 507 | 14.5:1 | |
| Kealakehe Elementary School Hawaii Department of Education | PK–05 | 924 | 14.6:1 |
Middle schools in Kailua-Kona
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kealakehe Intermediate School Hawaii Department of Education | 06–08 | 677 | 14.1:1 |
High schools in Kailua-Kona
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kealakehe High School Hawaii Department of Education | 09–12 | 1,401 | 16:1 | |
| West Hawaii Explorations Academy Hawaii Department of Education · Charter | 06–12 | 286 | 16.8:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White13.9%
- Hispanic20.6%
- Black0.1%
- Asian11.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander36.4%
- Multiracial17.6%
Enrollment-weighted across 6 Kailua-Kona schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (4,036 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Kailua-Kona
How many public schools are in Kailua-Kona, HI?
The current NCES directory lists 6 open public schools with a location address in Kailua-Kona: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high. Together they reported 4,036 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Kailua-Kona?
All listed public schools with an address in Kailua-Kona belong to Hawaii Department of Education. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Kailua-Kona?
Kealakehe High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Kailua-Kona, with 1,401 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Kailua-Kona?
Yes. 2 of the 6 public schools in Kailua-Kona are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Innovations - PCS, West Hawaii Explorations Academy. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Kailua-Kona schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Kailua-Kona public schools is 15.3:1, higher than the Hawaii school median of 14.1:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Kailua-Kona guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Hawaii cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Hawaii cities