A family looking at homes in Kahului asked about the different numbers on Zillow, Redfin, and Niche. They wondered which one to trust. The answer is simple: each site uses different criteria.

Most real estate sites use GreatSchools scores, which range from 1 to 10. Niche assigns its own ratings based on different criteria. This means that even the same school can have different scores on different sites. Therefore, the first step is to check what criteria each site uses to generate its scores.

How is the GreatSchools score calculated? It combines four factors: test scores, academic growth, college readiness, and equity indicators, weighted differently for each school level. Kahului Elementary School has a score of 6, while Pomaikai Elementary School has a score of 7. Maui High School has a score of 5, with an average SAT score of 1200 and an average ACT score of 23. Maui Waena Intermediate School also has a score of 5. There are variations among schools even within Kahului.

In fact, some schools in Kahului have shown significant improvement in growth indicators over the past few years, even if their test scores are low. Understanding the trend is often more useful than focusing solely on the current score.

When visiting properties, it's a good idea not to rely solely on what the real estate agent says about assigned schools. Instead, input the address into the school district verification system and take a screenshot for your records. This can serve as evidence later when making a contract.

Relying on a single number can lead to missing important information. The order of verification should be as follows:

• Trends in ratings, whether they have been rising or falling in recent years
• Student-to-teacher ratio, the number of students per teacher
• Actual parent reviews, aspects like safety and communication that aren't captured by numbers
• Equity scores, performance gaps based on income or disability status
• Verification of the actual assigned school address, as school boundaries can change frequently

By examining these five items one by one, you can start to understand why some schools have lower scores. This approach allows for a much more practical assessment than simply comparing numbers.

When using the checklist, it's important to follow the order. Don't jump to conclusions based on a single score; check each of the five items and then make a comprehensive judgment at the end to reduce mistakes.

Among these, the assigned school boundary is particularly important. In Kahului, there are areas where the assigned school varies based on the property's location. The school listed on real estate sites may differ from the actual assigned school. You should verify the exact address with the Hawaii Department of Education's school district system before signing a contract.

I'll briefly touch on equity scores. This metric fills in gaps that test scores alone do not reveal. It looks at whether performance gaps are narrowing based on income or disability status. This is why you shouldn't automatically assume that a school with a low score is of poor quality.

If you are a family moving from another state, it's also good to check that Hawaii's property tax structure may differ from where you previously lived. This condition can vary slightly by county or island. Due to the unique characteristics of Maui, school choices may be more limited than on the mainland, so it's crucial to carefully verify each assigned school to minimize regrets after moving.

While showing properties in Kahului, I often see families confused by the different numbers on various sites, leading them to delay their decisions. By using the checklist as a guide and checking each item in order, you can make consistent judgments regardless of which real estate site you visit or which neighborhoods you compare.

Ultimately, there's no need to be confused by the different numbers on each site. By systematically checking the five items in order, your criteria for judgment will remain consistent no matter which site you use. This is not investment or legal advice, and I recommend verifying with a professional before finalizing any contracts.