West Hawai'i Explorations Academy, officially West Hawaii Explorations Academy Public Charter School, is a public charter school located in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, United States, founded on May 4, 2000. It includes a middle school and a high school, with a total student body of about 280.
Serving 275 students in grades 6-12, West Hawaii Explorations Academy 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 20-24% (which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the Hawaii state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Hawaii state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 89% (majority Asian).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 275 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 80-89% (Btm 50% in HI)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 40-49% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West Hawaii Explorations Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Hawaii for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Overview
West Hawaii Explorations Academy's student population of 275 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 23 teachers has grown by 21% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
275 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
23 teachers
Year Founded
2000
School Calendar
School Rankings
West Hawaii Explorations Academy 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 West Hawaii Explorations Academy is 0.73, 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
#149 out of 292 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
40%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
4%
24%
Hispanic
19%
19%
Black
n/a
1%
White
42%
11%
Hawaiian
13%
25%
Two or more races
22%
20%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-89%
86%
Eligible for Free Lunch
17%
37%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
9%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Nautilus
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Hawaii Explorations Academy's ranking?
West Hawaii Explorations Academy is ranked #149 out of 292 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Hawaii.
What schools are West Hawaii Explorations Academy often compared to?
West Hawaii Explorations Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Kealakehe High School, Innovations - Pcs by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% HI state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% HI state average).
What is the graduation rate of West Hawaii Explorations Academy?
The graduation rate of West Hawaii Explorations Academy is 80-89%, which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 86%.
How many students attend West Hawaii Explorations Academy?
275 students attend West Hawaii Explorations Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of West Hawaii Explorations Academy students are White, 22% of students are Two or more races, 19% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Hawaiian, and 4% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of West Hawaii Explorations Academy?
West Hawaii Explorations Academy has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 14:1.
What grades does West Hawaii Explorations Academy offer ?
West Hawaii Explorations Academy offers enrollment in grades 6-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is West Hawaii Explorations Academy part of?
West Hawaii Explorations Academy is part of Hawaii Department Of Education School District.
School Reviews
Review West Hawaii Explorations Academy. 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
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
