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)
- 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 Calendar
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 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

What Are Public Schools Doing to Fight Obesity and Is It Working?
Childhood obesity rates continue to climb. While many public schools have implemented policies and programs to combat the problem, there is always more to be done. Keep reading to learn what schools are doing to prevent obesity and how you can help.

Massachusetts: Boston Public Schools Offer Free Lunches
Kids in Boston Public Schools will enjoy free lunches this year, thanks to participation in a federal program that cuts out paperwork required to prove eligibility for the free lunch program.

Michigan Schools: Free Meals for All Students in Some Detroit Schools
Learn about a pilot program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would offer two free meals and snacks to all Detroit Public School students daily – a controversial decision for some taxpayers.