Keonepoko Elementary School will shut down indefinitely effective Wednesday, the state Department of Education announced Monday night, as the Kilauea lava flow continued on a path toward Pahoa town.

There will be no school for Keone­poko Elementary students beginning Wednesday until Nov. 10 as school officials complete administrative work and move furniture and equipment to a temporary facility built at Keaau High School.

The DOE is also closing four other area public schools beginning Thursday until early next month: Pahoa High and Intermediate, Pahoa Elementary, Keaau High and Keaau Middle.

The Keonepoko campus on Kaha­kai Boulevard is in the anticipated path of the lava flow, which is expected to cut off the main route to Hawaii island’s lower Puna district.

About 850 Pahoa students who live north of the lava flow — in areas including Orchidland, Aina­loa and Hawaiian Paradise Park — will be moving to the Keaau school complex.

Meanwhile, about 850 students who live south of the flow — in areas including Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Nana­wale, Lei­lani, Kala­pana and Pahoa — will be attending Pahoa High and Intermediate or Pahoa Elementary.

Keonepoko and Pahoa elementary students who have to relocate will report to the newly built temporary school, being called Keone­poko North, on Nov. 10.

The temporary facility at Keaau High — which cost $3.6 million to build in the high school’s lower parking lot — is designed to accommodate at least 17 classrooms and up to 500 students and staff.

Pahoa secondary students changing schools will report to their new campuses at Keaau High and Keaau Middle on Nov. 7.

Students who are remaining at Pahoa High and Intermediate and Pahoa Elementary will report back to school Nov. 10.

Students who are enrolled at Keaau High and Keaau Middle also will return to school Nov. 10.

"Our teachers and principals have been tremendous in their efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy in our schools, all while preparing for this week," Mary Correa, complex superintendent for Kau-Keaau-Pahoa, said in a statement.

In all, some 1,700 students and 300 employees are affected by the changes.

Keonepoko Elementary and Pahoa High will still serve as election polling sites for the Nov. 4 general election, the DOE said.