The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in Math. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School
Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Honolulu, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It operates under the Hawaii Department of Education, the statewide district that covers all of Hawaii's public schools. The enrollment is moderate for an elementary school of its grade band. The student body is predominantly Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, with a large Asian segment as well, and very small white and Black populations. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, pointing to a high level of economic need in the surrounding community.
Academic results from the most recent state assessments paint a mixed picture. In English language arts, proficiency across the tested grades sits in the lower to mid range, with fourth grade the strongest. Math follows a similar pattern, fourth grade again the brightest spot and third grade the weakest. Science, tested only in fifth grade, shows the lowest proficiency among the three subjects. Participation was full across all tested grades and subjects. Only one year of data is available, so there is no trend to assess whether results are improving or declining. A parent comparing these outcomes to state or national benchmarks may want to look into how the school is working to lift proficiency, particularly in the early grades and in science.
Several data gaps are worth naming. The school's special education and English learner counts were not available, so it is not possible to describe the share of students receiving those services. Information on discipline, course access, staffing ratios, and attendance was also absent. No program offerings data was provided, meaning whether the school offers enrichment, arts, or after-school programs cannot be confirmed from this information. Title I status was not reported. A parent may want to verify this with the school directly.
The housing market around the school ranks among the most expensive in the country. Typical home values in the school's zip code run well above the state benchmark and far above the national one. Rents are similarly steep. The ratio of home prices to income is extremely high, meaning families earning typical incomes would struggle to buy. Monthly ownership costs substantially exceed typical rents, reflecting the premium placed on ownership in this market. For families considering moving into the attendance area, housing will be a major factor. Renting may be comparatively more manageable than buying, though rents still consume a large share of income.
Honolulu, where the school sits, is the capital and largest city in Hawaii, a Pacific hub for government, military, tourism, and finance. The urban core is dense with high-rises, and street life concentrates around downtown, Waikiki, and the Ala Moana area. The city faces long-term challenges that publicly reported sources describe in detail: an aging and declining population as residents leave for the mainland, climate change effects including sea level rise and water shortages, and persistent housing affordability concerns. The Skyline rail system is under continued development as a major infrastructure investment. The school itself sits on Middle Street, in an urban Honolulu neighborhood rather than a suburban or rural setting.
The Hawaii Department of Education was searched for recent parent-relevant changes. The search returned general organizational and enrollment information but no specific policy, curriculum, referendum, or facility changes of lasting impact. That space is left empty rather than filled with generalities.
For a family weighing this school, the picture is one of an urban elementary school serving a predominantly Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community with considerable economic need, moderate academic results strongest in the middle elementary grades, and a housing market that ranks among the priciest in the nation. The missing data on special populations, staffing, and programs means a visit or direct conversation with the school would be especially valuable before deciding.
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