Hawaiʻi public schools show math and attendance gains

The Hawaiʻi Department of Education has released its 2025-26 Strive HI results, indicating that public school students have made progress in mathematics proficiency and regular attendance as they recover from pandemic-era disruptions. Statewide math proficiency rose to 42.5%, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase, while regular attendance also showed improvement. However, language arts proficiency saw a slight decline, falling to 53.2% from 53.8%.

Individual schools showed varying levels of success. Lokelani Intermediate School in Maui demonstrated significant growth across several indicators, including an 8-point increase in math proficiency and a 24-point increase in science proficiency over a four-year period. Kulia Academy, a public charter school, reported math proficiency at 87% and language arts at 84%, both significantly higher than the statewide averages.

Despite these gains, the Department of Education informed the Board of Education that academic progress must accelerate to meet established targets for 2029.