The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Mountain View Elementary School
MountainView Elementary School sits on the east side of the Big Island in the District of Puna, along Highway 11 between Hilo to the north and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to the southwest. The community is rural and low-density, spread across a large land area with no traditional downtown or pedestrian-oriented commercial core. The school itself is one of the community's primary civic anchors, sharing its site with the Mountain View Public and School Library, a combined facility operated by the Hawaii State Public Library System. For families considering this area, the school and library form the practical center of community life in a place where most daily errands and services require a drive to Hilo.
The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment typical for a rural Big Island elementary school, with relatively even distribution across grade levels. Its student body reflects the broader community: the largest group identifies as Hispanic, followed by a substantial Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population, then students of two or more races, with smaller white and Asian groups. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which signals the economic pressures many families in this area face. The state did not report English learner or special education counts for this school in the available data, so families whose children need those services should ask the school directly about what is available.
On state assessments, Mountain View Elementary shows a mixed academic picture. In English language arts, proficiency climbs as students move up through the grades, with fourth and fifth graders reaching a moderate level of proficiency. Math tells a different story, with fewer students meeting proficiency and results trending downward from third to fifth grade. Science, tested only in fifth grade, lands in a similar range to ELA. Only one year of assessment data was available, so there is no trend to compare against; these results represent a single snapshot. Participation rates are high across all tested grades and subjects, which means nearly all enrolled students were assessed. A parent weighing this school may want to ask how the staff is addressing the gap between ELA and math outcomes, and what supports are in place for students who are not yet proficient.
Because this is an elementary school serving only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate, no AP or dual-credit coursework, and no career pathway data to report. The available data does not include staffing ratios, attendance figures, discipline information, or course access details, so those dimensions of school life are not visible here. The Hawaii Department of Education, the statewide district that operates this school, had no parent-relevant policy or curriculum changes identified in recent publicly reported material.
Housing in the Mountain View zip code is modestly priced by Hawaii standards, sitting well below the state benchmark and roughly in line with national figures. Home values have declined modestly over the past year. Rent data was not available for this area. The price-to-income ratio suggests that buying a home here remains a stretch relative to typical earnings, and monthly mortgage costs run higher than typical rent, which is relevant for families deciding whether to rent or buy. The community experienced strong growth in the 2000s, but recent estimates suggest the population has stabilized or slightly declined. No major new housing developments or commercial projects are on the public record.
What this school offers is a small rural elementary experience in a community where the school and library together serve as the main institutional presence. Academic results are uneven, with stronger reading outcomes than math. Families drawn to the quiet, spread-out character of Puna and willing to engage with the school about academic supports may find it a workable fit. Those seeking a broader range of programs or higher proficiency rates may want to compare it with other elementary schools in the Hilo area.
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