Schools in Hawaiʻi, by the people who chose them.
Public, private, charter, homeschool — what they cost, how the waiting lists work, and which schools fit which kind of family. Written for parents doing the homework before they fly in.
Hawaiʻi is the only US state with a single, statewide public-school district. That makes school comparisons here different from what mainland parents are used to: the bigger choice is usually not "which district," but "which school within the district" or "public vs. private."
The guides below cover both — what to expect from the public schools island by island, where the strong private programs are, and how to think about the timing of preschool, charter, and homeschool applications before you arrive.
The full schools overview.
The headline guides — what every parent moving to Hawaiʻi should read first.
Schools in Hawaii: Complete 2026 Guide for Families
Hawaii operates the only statewide public school district in the United States. This guide covers public, private, and charter school options by island — with enrollment requirements, DOE school rankings, and private school costs for families moving from the mainland.
Best Schools in Oahu (2026 Parent Guide)
Finding the Right School for Your Family on Oahu Updated September 2026: The 2026–27 school
Best Public Schools in Hawaii (2026)
Understanding Hawaii’s Public School System Moving to Hawaii with kids ? One of the first questions families ask is about schools.
Public, private, charter, home.
Each path has different costs, deadlines, and what it asks of the family.
Public Schools In Hawaii: Grades PreK-12
Hawaii is the only state in U.S. that has just one school district (Department of
Private Schools in Hawaii: Complete 2026 Guide (Grades PreK-12)
Hawaii has one of the highest private school attendance rates in the United States. While
Homeschooling in Hawaii
How to homeschool legally in Hawaii: Form 4140 notice of intent, HRS 302A-1132 compulsory ages (5 to 18), annual progress reports, and grade 3/5/8/10…
Preschool and special education.
Two areas where the early planning matters most — and where one phone call early can save months of waiting.
Preschools in Hawaii: 2026 Complete Guide (Costs, Waiting Lists, Top Programs)
Last updated: February 14, 2026 Preschools in Hawaii: Complete 2026 Guide (Costs, Waiting Lists, Top
Special Education In Hawaii: Top List of Special Needs Schools & Programs in Hawaii
Introduction: Navigating Special Education in Hawaii Updated August 2026 — covers the 2026–27 school year.