Waimea High School is a public high school in Waimea on the island of Kauaʻi in the state of Hawaii. It was established in 1881 and serves grades 9 through 12. It is the westernmost high school in the United States of America. The school mascot is the Menehune, and the school colors are blue and white.
Serving 759 students in grades 9-12, Waimea High School 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 15-19% (which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-54% (which is approximately equal to the Hawaii state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Hawaii state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Asian), which is higher than the Hawaii state average of 89% (majority Asian).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 759 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 85-89% (Top 50% in HI)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 50-54% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education
School Overview
Waimea High School's student population of 759 students has grown by 22% over five school years.
The teacher population of 49 teachers has grown by 13% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
759 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
49 teachers
Year Founded
1881
Colors
White, Blue
School Rankings
Waimea High School 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 Waimea High School is 0.78, 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
#194 out of 292 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
40%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
28%
24%
Hispanic
19%
19%
Black
n/a
1%
White
9%
11%
Hawaiian
30%
25%
Two or more races
14%
20%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
85-89%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
40%
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: Menehune
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Waimea High School's ranking?
Waimea High School is ranked #194 out of 292 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Hawaii.
What schools are Waimea High School often compared to?
Waimea High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Kauai High School, Kapaa High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
15-19% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% HI state average), while 50-54% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% HI state average).
What is the graduation rate of Waimea High School?
The graduation rate of Waimea High School is 85-89%, which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 86%.
How many students attend Waimea High School?
759 students attend Waimea High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
30% of Waimea High School students are Hawaiian, 28% of students are Asian, 19% of students are Hispanic, 14% of students are Two or more races, and 9% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Waimea High School?
Waimea High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Hawaii state average of 14:1.
What grades does Waimea High School offer ?
Waimea High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Waimea High School part of?
Waimea High School is part of Hawaii Department Of Education School District.
School Reviews
5 2/4/2021
Awesome!! Go Big Blue 2021 graduates!! No matter what's going on in our world... We are fearless and go for the stars and keep rising to each occasion unstoppable! The future is YOURS with PRIDE!! WAIMEA!! WAIMEA!!
Review Waimea High School. 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.
