Student harmony, committed teachers shine brightly on Big Island campus
PAHOA HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE
Where: 15-3038 Puna Road, Hawai'i District
Grade span: Grades seven through 12
Enrollment: 770 students
Race/ethnicity enrollment: Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian, 42 percent; Filipino, 18 percent; White, 17 percent; other, 23 percent
Free and reduced-price lunch eligible: 65 percent
Special-education students: 20 percent; 8 percent English language learners
Computers on campus: Five computer labs on campus
Principal: Maring Gacusana
School nickname: Daggers
School colors: Green and white
What are you most proud of?
"We're proud of the harmony among diverse students, enormous talents of our Na Pua Maeole Gifted & Talented Music Ensemble, of our hard-working teachers committed to student success," Gacusana said. "We have a fabulous security team."
What is your biggest challenge?
"Our biggest challenge is getting parents to be involved and participate," Gacusana said. "We average about 30 percent parent participation at parent/teacher conferences."
History: Established in 1910, the school is in the lower Puna District on the Big Island. Puna contains a widely diverse population with an overall socioeconomic status below state averages.
Web address: http://pahoahs.k12.hi.us/
Phone: 808-965-2150