How to start homeschooling in Hawaii
The legal steps, in order, checked against Hawaii law.
Short answer: In Hawaii a parent homeschools by giving the principal of the local public school a notice of intent before starting, using Form 4140 or a letter. The parent keeps a record of the planned curriculum and submits an annual progress report to the principal. Test scores are required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10.
Checked against Haw. Rev. Stat. 302A-1132(a)(5) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 5 to 18. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Hawaii gives you 2 legal ways to homeschool. Pick one and follow its steps.
Option 1: Home schooling
Parents who will teach their own child at home.
Steps
- Find your local public school, the school your child would attend if not homeschooled.
- Before you begin, give the principal a notice of intent on Form 4140 or in a letter with the child's name, address, phone number, birthdate, grade level, and your signature.
- Keep a record of the planned curriculum: start and end dates, hours of instruction per week, subjects, how you will judge mastery, and a list of textbooks and materials in standard bibliographic format.
- Arrange testing in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, either at the local public school or privately at your own expense.
- Submit an annual progress report to the principal using one of the four methods the rules allow.
- Notify the new school's principal if your child moves to a different local public school, for example from elementary to intermediate.
- If you stop homeschooling, notify the principal. The child must be enrolled in a public or licensed private school within five school days unless a new alternative program is presented.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The principal of the local public school the child would otherwise attend When: Before starting home schooling. It need not be resubmitted each year once an annual progress report is on file, except when the child transfers to a new local public school. Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | The planned curriculum must be structured, cumulative, and sequential. The rules list subjects an elementary curriculum may include (language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, health, and physical education) and a secondary curriculum may include (social studies, English, mathematics, science, health, physical education, and guidance). |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | Test scores are required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, through the public school's statewide testing or comparable private testing at the parent's expense. An annual progress report is also required, using one of four methods: a nationally normed achievement test score showing grade level achievement, test progress of one grade level per year, a written evaluation by a teacher certified in Hawaii, or a written parent evaluation with a description of progress in each subject, work samples, and graded tests or assignments. |
| Records to keep | A record of the planned curriculum, including start and end dates, weekly instruction hours, subjects, the method for judging mastery, and a bibliographic list of materials. The principal may ask to see it if progress is not adequate. |
The law: Haw. Rev. Stat. 302A-1132(a)(5) Haw. Admin. Rules 8-12-13, 8-12-15, 8-12-16, 8-12-18, 8-12-19
Option 2: Alternative educational program other than home schooling (for example, tutoring)
Families who want someone other than the parent, such as a tutor, to provide instruction outside a school.
Steps
- Submit Form 4140 to the local public school along with a planned curriculum.
- Include program start and end dates, weekly instruction hours averaging about three hours per school day, subjects, the method for judging mastery, and a list of materials.
- Provide evidence that each instructor holds at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college, including official transcripts.
- Wait for approval from the superintendent or designee.
- Participate in statewide testing and submit a narrative progress report and report card to the principal at the end of each school year.
- Renew the request each year.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The local public school, for approval by the superintendent or designee When: Before withdrawal is approved, renewed annually Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | A planned curriculum covering subject areas such as those listed for elementary and secondary levels in the rules. |
| Time | Instruction averaging approximately three hours per school day. |
| Parent qualifications | Professional staff or tutors must hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. |
| Testing or evaluation | Test scores for grades in the Statewide Testing Program, plus a narrative progress report and report card at the end of each school year. |
| Records to keep | The planned curriculum submitted with Form 4140 and annual progress reports. |
Leaving public school mid-year
The Hawaii Department of Education says homeschooling begins when you submit the signed Form 4140 or letter of intent to the local public school, and birth certificates, proof of residency, and health records are not needed. The principal and complex area superintendent acknowledge the notice and the school returns a copy.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
No course credits are granted for time spent homeschooling. To earn a diploma from a public high school, a homeschooled student must attend high school for at least three full years and meet graduation credit requirements. The department says a High School Equivalency Credential is available through the community school for adults with a valid Form 4140 and a passing GED or HiSET score. A homeschooled student may take any college entrance exam offered to all students, and the local high school principal will, on request, confirm in writing that the child was homeschooled in compliance with the rules.
Public school sports and activities
Haw. Admin. Rules 8-12-13(d) says a parent who files a notice to homeschool is responsible for the child's total educational program, including athletics and other co-curricular activities. No rule granting public school activity access was found.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Hawaii?
Yes, under the home schooling route, you notify the principal of the local public school the child would otherwise attend before starting home schooling. It need not be resubmitted each year once an annual progress report is on file, except when the child transfers to a new local public school..
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Hawaii?
Test scores are required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, through the public school's statewide testing or comparable private testing at the parent's expense. An annual progress report is also required, using one of four methods: a nationally normed achievement test score showing grade level achievement, test progress of one grade level per year, a written evaluation by a teacher certified in Hawaii, or a written parent evaluation with a description of progress in each subject, work samples, and graded tests or assignments.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Hawaii?
The planned curriculum must be structured, cumulative, and sequential. The rules list subjects an elementary curriculum may include (language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, health, and physical education) and a secondary curriculum may include (social studies, English, mathematics, science, health, physical education, and guidance).
What ages must be schooled in Hawaii?
Ages 5 to 18, per state law.
Sources
- Haw. Rev. Stat. 302A-1132(a)(5)
- Haw. Admin. Rules 8-12-13, 8-12-15, 8-12-16, 8-12-18, 8-12-19
- Homeschool, Hawaii State Department of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.