Ke Ana Laahana - PCS

Charter School 33 Students

High School 7th - 12th

School Overview

Ke Ana Laahana Public Charter School (PCS), located in Hilo, Hawai?i, is a unique educational institution that serves students in grades 7 through 12. Founded on the principles of Hawaiian culture and values, the school focuses on a project-based learning model that integrates academic rigor with hands-on, community-centered experiences. Its mission is to provide an alternative learning environment that prioritizes student engagement, personal responsibility, and a deep connection to the local environment and heritage of the Big Island.

The school is well-regarded for its small class sizes and personalized approach to instruction, which allows teachers to provide targeted support tailored to each student's individual learning style and pace. By emphasizing place-based education, Ke Ana Laahana encourages students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, fostering both academic growth and civic pride. This approach ensures that graduates are not only prepared for post-secondary education or the workforce but are also grounded in the cultural identity and community spirit of their home.

Total Students

4.0

Full-Time Teachers

8.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

51.5%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Ke Ana Laahana - PCS
Demographic	Student Count
Hispanic	11
Asian	1
Two or More	4
Pacific Islander	17

Pacific Islander
17 (51.5%)
Hispanic
11 (33.3%)
Two or More
4 (12.1%)
Asian
1 (3.0%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Hawaii Department of Education
Phone:	(808)961-6228
Grade Range:	7th - 12th
Total Students:	33
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	4.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	8.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	17
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 7 11

Grade 8 4

Grade 9 2

Grade 10 6

Grade 11 5

Grade 12 5