Pahoa High and Intermediate School School Improvement Status

Summary of Progress

Summary of Progress Based on the Smarter Balanced Assessments (2021-2022) in Reading and Math for grades 7, 8, and 11, achievement in Math was 17% and Reading scores indicated a proficiency rate of 34% which indicated a decrease of 9% from the previous reporting year. Science achievement increased by 1% with 16% reaching proficiency, combining grade 8 and the End of Course Biology exam. Both scores in Math and Reading are equal to or greater than the Complex Area’s results, though Science scores were lower than the Complex Area by 6%. During school year 2021-22, 98% of students received their education in a blended (both in person and virtual) or virtual only. The readiness data measured how well the students graduated on-time and were ready to pursue their college or career goals. 60% of 8th graders read near, at, or above grade level. 77% of 9th graders are promoted to 10th grade on-time. 84% of students completed a Career and Technical Education program by 12th grade. The rate of students graduating on-time was 87%.

The town’s proximity to the University of Hawaii-Hilo has provided opportunities for our students that the school has implemented. PHIS’s college-going rate, as determined by the state, was 20%. PHIS is working to develop additional opportunities for students to achieve dual credits (both high school and college credits) while attending high school. We continue to focus on helping underrepresented populations achieve post high school career and education goals. Pacing guides for all courses continue to be aligned to content standards and additional planning takes place to incorporate literacy skills, behavioral strategies to increase academic performance, and to build depth of knowledge in the lessons being taught. Chronic absenteeism continues to be a factor as the percentage of students who missed 15 or more days was 61%, which nearly doubles the rate from the previous year. The state average was 32% and the complex area’s average was 48%. Overall, students reacted less favorably to the school climate as measured by the Panorama Survey which indicated that 50% of students feel positively about their school.