Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu is a Hawaiian language immersion charter school. It serves grades K-12 in Keaʻau, Puna, Hawaii Island, Hawaii. It is the largest Hawaiian immersion school on Hawaii Island. The school began as a Hawaii Department of Education program in 1987.
Serving 527 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Hawaii for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 11-19% (which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 39%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30-39% (which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is equal to the Hawaii state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Hawaii state average of 89% (majority Asian).
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 527 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 97%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in HI
- Math Proficiency: 11-19% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 30-39% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 21-39% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Hawaii for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Overview
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs's student population of 527 students has grown by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
527 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
37 teachers
Year Founded
1994
School Rankings
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs ranks within the bottom 50% of all 292 schools in Hawaii (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs is 0.48, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.80. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#263 out of 292 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
11-19%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-39%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21-39%
40%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
24%
Hispanic
16%
19%
Black
n/a
1%
White
3%
11%
Hawaiian
70%
25%
Two or more races
11%
20%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
44%
37%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
13%
9%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs's ranking?
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs is ranked #263 out of 292 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Hawaii.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
11-19% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% HI state average), while 30-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% HI state average).
How many students attend Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs?
527 students attend Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
70% of Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs students are Hawaiian, 16% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs?
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs has a student ration of 14:1, which is equal to the Hawaii state average of 14:1.
What grades does Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs offer ?
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs part of?
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs is part of Hawaii Department Of Education School District.
School Calendar
View the Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs yearly calendar below.
School Reviews
Review Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki - Laboratory Pcs. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
2025 Classroom Size Trends: Are Classes Still Growing?
A 2025 update on U.S. classroom sizes, policy battles, student outcomes, and whether class sizes continue to expand.
Personalized Learning in 2025: Revolutionizing Education
Explore how personalized learning is reshaping education in 2025—insights, policy, impact, and real-world models for students, parents, and educators.
How Bullying Impacts Student Academic Performance in 2025
Explore how bullying harms student achievement, attendance, and well-being — and strategies schools use in 2025 to mitigate its effects.
