Connections - New Century PCS

Connections - New Century PCS, a moderately sized combined-grade school in Hilo, Hawaii, part of Hawaii Department of Education, caters to 352 students, covering grades K through 12.

Hawaii Department of Education comprises 296 schools with combined enrollment of 167,071 students; Connections - New Century PCS is among them.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Connections - New Century PCS records that the most-represented group is Pacific Islander (34%), with the rest of the student body spread across multiple groups. Beyond that, the school reports 25% Hispanic, 21% multiracial, 15% White, 3% Asian.

On the income-and-resources front, Connections - New Century PCS reports 30 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 11.9:1. The state averages about 12.4:1, putting this campus right in line with peers. Around 75% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy. Set against Hawaii County (around 59%), the school's rate is somewhat above typical.

In the surrounding community, census data for Hawaii County shows median household income runs about $78,639, roughly 31% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Hawaii County runs 55 public schools (combined enrollment of about 27,129 students), of which Connections - New Century PCS is one.

Hilo Union Elementary School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.4 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

The campus sits in a town-based setting. Connections - New Century PCS operates as a public charter school, meaning it is publicly funded but governed independently of the surrounding district's traditional schools.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count fell 3%: 363 students in 2018 compared to 352 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share contracted from 24% to 15%. Class-load math has tightened: from 13.7:1 in 2018 to 11.9:1 in 2025.

On the community side, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.