Hawaii

Hawaii recognizes homeschooling as a compulsory attendance exception with specific notification, testing, and annual reporting requirements.

Key Statute: HRS § 302A-1132

"Attendance at a public or private school shall not be compulsory... Where the parent of a school age child has provided notification of intent to homeschool the child."

Administrative Rules: HAR Chapter 8-12

Homeschooling is governed by Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 8-12, "Compulsory Attendance Exceptions."

Key Definition (HAR § 8-12-2)

Home schooling: "A viable educational option where a parent instructs the parent's own child"

Compulsory Ages: 5 (by July 31) through 18

Steps to Start Homeschooling

Step 1: Submit Notice of Intent to the principal of your child's local public school

• Form 4140 (DOE form), OR
• Letter with name, address, phone, birthdate, grade, signature

Step 2: Receive acknowledgment from principal AND complex area superintendent. This is acknowledgment, NOT approval.

Step 3: Begin homeschooling upon submission.

Step 4: Keep required records (curriculum, dates, hours, materials).

Step 5: Submit annual progress report at end of each school year.

Resubmit Notice When

• Child transitions elementary → middle → high school
• Moving to different neighborhood (different local school)

What Hawaii Requires

Compulsory Ages

Ages 5 through 18 — Children who turn 5 by July 31 must begin.

What Hawaii Does NOT Require

• No teacher certification
• No curriculum approval
• No minimum hours
• No health records or immunization forms

Required Testing (Grades 3, 5, 8, 10)

Options: Statewide testing at public school (free), private testing, or other means approved by principal.

Annual Progress Reports (All Grades)

Four Options:

1. Standardized test scores (grade-level achievement)
2. Year-over-year progress (one grade level advancement)
3. Certified teacher evaluation
4. Parent evaluation (with work samples)

Protection (HAR § 8-12-18(d))

"Unless progress is inadequate for two consecutive semesters... recommendations to enroll the child in public or private school or to take legal action for educational neglect shall be prohibited."

"No recommendations shall be made for a child before the third grade."

General Standards (HAR § 8-12-15)

Curriculum shall be: structured and based on educational objectives, cumulative and sequential, provide range of up-to-date knowledge, take into account child's interests and abilities.

Required Content Areas

Elementary: Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science, Art, Music, Health, Physical education

Secondary (7-12): Social studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Health, Physical education, Guidance

Record-Keeping Requirements

1. Commencement and ending dates
2. Hours per week of instruction
3. List of instructional materials in bibliography format

No Part-Time Enrollment

HAR § 8-12-13(d): Parent "shall be responsible for the child's total educational program including athletics." Hawaii DOE interprets this as homeschoolers not eligible for part-time enrollment.

Sports Access: ❌ NO

HHSAA requires enrollment to participate. Homeschoolers cannot participate in public school sports or HHSAA-sanctioned competitions.

Alternatives: Community sports leagues, club teams, YMCA, private sports organizations.

Special Education: ✅ Available

HAR § 8-12-14: "All educational and related services statutorily mandated shall be made available... to home-schooled children who have been evaluated and certified as needing educational and related services and who request the services."

Homeschool Diplomas

Hawaii DOE does NOT issue diplomas to homeschoolers. Parents issue their own diploma.

Parent determines: Graduation requirements, courses, credits, grading, diploma format.

Public School Diploma Option

To get diploma from local public high school:

1. Attend for minimum 3 full years
2. Meet all credit requirements
3. Perform satisfactorily on assessments

Warning: No credits awarded for homeschool time when enrolling in public school.

GED Option

If at least 16 years old and homeschooled at least one semester, can take GED/HiSET through Community School for Adults.

University of Hawaii at Mānoa

Test-optional and welcomes homeschool applicants. Requires application, parent-created transcript, course descriptions and grades. May request GED, SAT subject tests, or ACT subscores.

UH West Oʻahu

Requires transcript with: titles/descriptions of coursework, textbooks used, methods of teaching and evaluation, grades. SAT/ACT scores strongly encouraged.

Tips for Hawaii Applicants

1. Create detailed transcripts with course descriptions
2. Include methods of evaluation and textbooks used
3. Take standardized tests (SAT, ACT, subject tests)
4. Consider dual enrollment at community college
5. Contact admissions offices early

Hawaii provides a structured but manageable framework with clear guidelines.

Key Advantages:

1. Clear Legal Framework — HAR Chapter 8-12 spells out requirements
2. No Teacher Qualifications — Any parent can teach
3. No Curriculum Approval — Keep records, don't need to submit
4. Testing Only 4 Times — Grades 3, 5, 8, 10
5. Multiple Progress Report Options — Choose what works
6. Strong Protections — No recommendations until 2 consecutive inadequate semesters; none before 3rd grade
7. Special Ed Access — Available upon request

Comparison Table