Homeschooling in Hawaii

Your options

(1) Home schooling under HAR 8-12 (exception to compulsory attendance), with notice to the local school principal. (2) Private school.

Notice or letter of intent

Form 4140 (Section B, Option 5) or a signed letter of intent to the principal of the public school the child would attend. Homeschooling starts when you submit it. Refile when moving to another school's area or changing school level; it is not annual. No birth certificate, residency proof or health records needed.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects

No set list; the parent's record must list the subject areas taught. HIDOE grade-level standards are available as a guide.

Days or hours

None set; the record must state the start and end dates and weekly hours.

Testing or assessment

An annual progress report to the principal: a nationally normed test score, a written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher, or a parent's written evaluation with work samples. A nationally normed test is also required in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 (free state tests at the school are an option).

Records

A curriculum record: start and end dates, weekly hours, subjects, how mastery is judged, and full citations of textbooks/materials. The school may ask to review it.

Parent qualifications

None stated.

Other rules

Homeschooled students get no HIDOE diploma; high school returners enter grade 9 with no credits.

Official forms

Form 4140: hawaiipublicschools.org/…

The law

HAR Title 8, Chapter 12 (8-12-13 notification) – read the law

Who to contact

• Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE); principal of the child's local public school – Homeschool line, HIDOENo email published · 808-351-5009 · Official pageWho handles notices: Local district

Special education and public school classes and sports

IDEA students may be re-evaluated when they re-enroll and may attend public school up to age 21. Services while homeschooling and activity access are not stated.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Hawaii

The Hawaii State Department of Education says that for grades 1–8 your child is re-enrolled in the grade that fits their age, and the principal makes the final decision on grade placement. High school-aged students are enrolled in grade 9, because no credits are earned while a student is homeschooled. To earn a diploma, a student must attend a public high school for at least three full years and meet the graduation credit requirements.

Tell the principal of the school where you submitted Form 4140 or your notice of intent that homeschooling is ending – in writing or verbally – and where your child is going. Students with a disability under IDEA may be re-evaluated when they re-enroll.

Source: Hawaii State Department of Education: Homeschool

To enroll, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school, and ask how it decides grade placement and credits before your child starts. See the Hawaii official page, and going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.