The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in Science. The lowest is 41% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kula Elementary School
Kula Elementary School sits on the western slopes of Haleakalā in Upcountry Maui, a rural, agricultural community distinct from the hotter, busier coastal towns below. The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and operates as a regular public school within the Hawaii Department of Education, the statewide district that governs public education across the islands. Its campus along Kula Highway reflects the character of the surrounding area: dispersed, quiet, and rooted in a community where farming traditions persist alongside newer residential growth.
The school enrolls roughly three hundred and fifty students across its grade levels. Its demographic mix reflects Hawaii's multicultural character. The largest group identifies as two or more races, followed by Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students, then white and Hispanic students. A modest number of Asian students and a single American Indian or Alaska Native student round out the population. Just over half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which gives a sense of the economic range within the school community. Data on English learners and students with individualized education programs was not available, so those populations could not be characterized here.
On state assessments, Kula Elementary shows a mixed academic picture. In English language arts, proficiency rates across third, fourth, and fifth grades hover around the midpoint, with fifth grade standing out as the strongest. Third-grade ELA proficiency sits just below half of tested students, fourth grade dips lower, and fifth grade rises above half. Math results follow a similar but somewhat weaker pattern. Third-grade math proficiency is above half, fourth grade drops noticeably, and fifth grade lands between the two. Science, tested only in fifth grade, shows the highest proficiency rate among the subjects reported, with more than half of fifth graders meeting or exceeding standards. Participation was full across all tested grades and subjects. Average scale scores were not reported, so the proficiency rates are the main academic evidence available. No multi-year trend data could be computed since only one year of results was accessible.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate, no AP or dual-credit data, and no college-readiness measure to report. Program offerings, staffing details, attendance data, discipline data, and course-access information were not provided, so a parent looking for details on enrichment programs, teacher experience, or specialized instruction would want to ask the school directly.
Kula itself is a sprawling rural community with no traditional downtown. It stretches along Kula Highway and the old Lower Kula Road, with farms, ranches, botanical gardens, churches, and residential lots at elevation rather than a commercial center. The old road has scattered small establishments serving the community, while the modern highway has few businesses. Kula Hospital, a critical access facility in Keokea, is a major local employer, and agriculture, including vegetable and cut-flower farming, sustains much of the local economy. Holy Ghost Catholic Church, with its octagonal shape and landmark turret, is a visible community anchor, and the Kula Forest Reserve and several parks provide civic and recreational infrastructure. No public library or transit system is described in available sources, and the area is car-dependent.
Development in Kula is constrained by limited water supply, which the Upcountry Community Plan prioritizes for agriculture and the Hawaiian Homelands project. Newer "gentleman estates" have attracted residents in recent decades, and the population is aging. The housing market in the school's zip code is expensive relative to both state and national benchmarks, with home values well above the state median and far above the national figure. Estimated monthly mortgage costs are high, and the price-to-income ratio suggests that buying a home here requires a substantial income. Rental data was not available. For families considering a move to the area, housing costs will be a major factor.
For a parent weighing Kula Elementary, the school offers a small, diverse, community-rooted elementary education in a quiet upcountry setting. Academic results are middling, with strength in fifth-grade literacy and science and relative weakness in fourth-grade math. The rural environment, agricultural character, and elevation define the daily experience. A family drawn to that setting and willing to engage with the school on its academic gaps and program details could find it a good fit. Those prioritizing strong, consistent proficiency across all grades, or who need specific support services, should ask the school directly about what is available.
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