Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School

278 Ainako Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(School attendance zone shown in map)
10/
10
Top 10%
Serving 422 students in grades Prekindergarten-6, Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Hawaii for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 73% (which is higher than the Hawaii state average of 39%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75% (which is higher than the Hawaii state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Hawaii state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the Hawaii state average of 89% (majority Asian).

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 422 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 89%
  • : Top 10% in HI
  • : 73% (Top 10%)
  • : 75% (Top 10%)
  • : 75-79% (Top 5%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Hawaii for:

Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency

School Overview

Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School's student population of 422 students has declined by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 23 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-6
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
422 students
Total Classroom Teachers
23 teachers
School Calendar

School Rankings

Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School ranks within the top 10% of all 292 schools in Hawaii (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School is 0.77, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.80. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (HI)
#18 out of 292 schools
(Top 10%)
73%
39%
75%
52%
75-79%
40%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
14%
24%
Hispanic
23%
19%
Black
n/a
1%
White
11%
11%
Hawaiian
16%
25%
Two or more races
36%
20%
All Ethnic Groups
0.77
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
22%
37%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
9%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Hawaii Department Of Education School District
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School's ranking?
Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School is ranked #18 out of 292 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Hawaii.
What schools are Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School often compared to?
Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Haaheo Elementary School, Hilo Union Elementary School, Kaumana Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
73% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% HI state average), while 75% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% HI state average).
How many students attend Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School?
422 students attend Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
36% of Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School students are Two or more races, 23% of students are Hispanic, 16% of students are Hawaiian, 14% of students are Asian, and 11% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School?
Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Hawaii state average of 14:1.
What grades does Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School offer ?
Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-6 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School part of?
Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School is part of Hawaii Department Of Education School District.

School Reviews

Review Ernest Bowen Desilva Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Rate this school:

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 422 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 89%
  • : Top 10%
  • : 73% (Top 10%)
  • : 75% (Top 10%)
  • : 75-79% (Top 5%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education

Request Information

Quick Links


Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 75

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 82

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 88

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 94

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 100

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 106

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 112

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 123

Notice: Javascript file does not exist: /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/javascript/components/popper.min.js in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Javascript file does not exist: /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/javascript/components/tippy.min.js in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Directory does not exist in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Unable to save compiled js file in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242