Total enrollment
9,236
-556 (-6%) vs SY 2020-21
Kauai County
Hawaii · Public K-12
Kauai County's public schools, 22 in all, serve approximately 9,236 K-12 students inside Hawaii, with Hawaii Department of Education the largest district by enrollment. The level mix is 11 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Kauai County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
21
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Kauai County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Hawaii | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 9,236 | #4 of 4 | #861 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 21 | #4 of 4 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.2:1 | #4 of 4 | #1,459 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 47.4% | #3 of 4 | #1,751 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 78.8% | #3 of 4 | #3 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Kauai County school rankings
Residents
73,731
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
22
1 districts
Enrollment
9,236
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$97,668
Above Hawaii avg
Free/reduced lunch
47.4%
Below Hawaii avg
Elementary
11
4,245 students
Middle
3
1,800 students
High
3
2,732 students
Combined / other
5
459 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hawaii Department of Education
9,236 students · 1 district in Kauai County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Kauai County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
30.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.8%
civilian labor
Median age
43
21.2% under 18
Test scores in Kauai County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 18 schools ranked. Hawaii state average: 52.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Kanuikapono - PCS· 16.0%
- Kawaikini - NCPCS· 20.0%
- Waimea Canyon Middle School· 34.0%
- Kapaa Middle School· 35.0%
- Kapaa Elementary School· 37.0%
Cities in Kauai County
About Kauai County
Kauai County is a middle-population county of about 73,731 residents in Hawaii. Its public-school system serves approximately 9,236 students across 22 schools.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $97,668, roughly 30% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 8% higher than the Hawaii median.
In terms of grade levels, Kauai County is built around 11 elementary schools (4,245 students), 3 middle schools (1,800), 3 high schools (2,732), and 5 combined or other schools.
Hawaii Department of Education dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 9,236 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment decreased 6%: 9,792 students in SY 2020-21 versus 9,236 in SY 2024-25.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Kauai County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data