Honolulu County Schools & Education
Honolulu County, Hawaii
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
57/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,997
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,997
School Score
57/100
Higher = better
State avg 57/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#1
of 1 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Honolulu County
School Verdict
Honolulu County performs at an average level with a school score of 57/100 and a solid graduation rate of 86.0%.
Funding Context
Honolulu County spends $9,997 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Honolulu County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 1% above the Hawaii average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Honolulu County, Hawaii
Honolulu’s Expansive Single-District Education Infrastructure
Honolulu County supports 112,849 students across 185 public schools, all managed under the unified Hawaii Department of Education. The island's educational landscape features 126 elementary schools, 26 middle schools, and 25 high schools serving a diverse student population.
Competitive Academic Scores Despite Lean Spending
Honolulu’s 86% graduation rate matches the state average and sits just below the 87% national benchmark. While per-pupil spending of $9,997 is lower than the $13,000 national average, the county’s 57.9 school score remains notably higher than the national median of 50.0.
A Massive Unified District with Charter Options
The Hawaii Department of Education oversees the entire county, making it one of the largest unified districts in the nation. Families have diverse choices, including 16 charter schools that represent nearly 9% of the county's total school inventory.
Urban Centers and Suburban Campuses Across Oahu
Education here is primarily a suburban and city experience, with 169 schools located in these developed locales. While the average school enrolls 610 students, campus sizes vary wildly from small rural sites to the massive James Campbell High School, which serves 3,039 students.
Finding Your Home Near Oahu’s Best Schools
Families researching a move to Honolulu should explore residential areas near high-performing hubs like Mililani or Waipahu. School quality remains a primary driver of home values across the island, making neighborhood selection a critical step for your family's future.
School Overview
Total Schools
185
in Honolulu County
Total Enrollment
112,849
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
16
9% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Honolulu County
Hawaii Department of Education
185 Public Schools in Honolulu County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Campbell High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 3,039 |
| Waipahu High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 2,661 |
| Mililani High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 2,565 |
| Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 2,238 |
| Moanalua High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 2,064 |
| Kapolei High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 2,025 |
| Waianae High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,831 |
| Leilehua High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,625 |
| Mililani Middle School | Hawaii Department of Education | 6–8 | Middle | 1,580 |
| Pearl City High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,519 |
| President William McKinley High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,502 |
| President Theodore Roosevelt High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,433 |
| Kalani High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,414 |
| Hawaii Technology Academy - PCS | Hawaii Department of Education | KG–12 | Charter | 1,403 |
| Kahuku High & Intermediate School | Hawaii Department of Education | 7–12 | High | 1,319 |
| Admiral Arthur W Radford High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,267 |
| August Ahrens Elementary School | Hawaii Department of Education | PK–6 | Primary | 1,187 |
| Henry J Kaiser High School | Hawaii Department of Education | 9–12 | High | 1,160 |
| Ewa Makai Middle School | Hawaii Department of Education | 6–8 | Middle | 1,119 |
| Ewa Elementary School | Hawaii Department of Education | PK–5 | Primary | 1,118 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,997
State avg $9,997
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Honolulu County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Honolulu County?
How much does Honolulu County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Honolulu County, Hawaii — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Honolulu County, Hawaii?
Honolulu County supports 112,849 students across 185 public schools, all managed under the unified Hawaii Department of Education. The island's educational landscape features 126 elementary schools, 26 middle schools, and 25 high schools serving a diverse student population.
How do schools in Honolulu County perform academically?
Honolulu’s 86% graduation rate matches the state average and sits just below the 87% national benchmark. While per-pupil spending of $9,997 is lower than the $13,000 national average, the county’s 57.9 school score remains notably higher than the national median of 50.0.
What are the major school districts in Honolulu County, Hawaii?
The Hawaii Department of Education oversees the entire county, making it one of the largest unified districts in the nation. Families have diverse choices, including 16 charter schools that represent nearly 9% of the county's total school inventory.
What is the school experience like in Honolulu County?
Education here is primarily a suburban and city experience, with 169 schools located in these developed locales. While the average school enrolls 610 students, campus sizes vary wildly from small rural sites to the massive James Campbell High School, which serves 3,039 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Honolulu County, Hawaii?
Families researching a move to Honolulu should explore residential areas near high-performing hubs like Mililani or Waipahu. School quality remains a primary driver of home values across the island, making neighborhood selection a critical step for your family's future.
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.