Families in Hawaii choose to homeschool for a range of reasons: religious beliefs, dissatisfaction with the quality of a local public school, supporting a child with special learning needs, or simply wanting more flexibility. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) has generally found that homeschooled students perform at or above the national average on standardized achievement tests, though outcomes vary widely by family.
The good news for Hawaii parents is that the state’s Department of Education (DOE) has one of the more straightforward homeschool processes in the country. Homeschooling is governed by Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 8, Chapter 12 — Compulsory Attendance Exceptions, and the underlying compulsory-attendance law is Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §302A‑1132.
Last reviewed: June 2026. Always confirm current requirements with your local school or the DOE before you begin — rules and forms can change.
Who Must Attend School in Hawaii
Under HRS §302A‑1132, school attendance is compulsory for every child who is at least 5 years old on or before July 31 of the school year and who has not yet turned 18 by January 1 of that school year. (An older note that the cutoff was “age 6 to 16” is out of date — the legislature raised the compulsory-attendance ceiling to 18.) A limited exception exists for a child who has reached age 15, is suitably employed, and has been formally excused. Submitting a notice of intent to homeschool is itself one of the recognized exceptions to compulsory public or private school attendance.
How To Start Homeschooling In Hawaii
You may begin homeschooling at any time of year. To notify the state, submit one of the following to the principal of the public school your child would otherwise attend (your geographic home school):
- Form 4140 — “Exceptions to Compulsory Education.” Complete the section that applies to homeschooling and sign it.
- A letter of intent stating that you intend to homeschool. The letter must include the child’s name, address, telephone number, birth date, and grade level, plus the parent or guardian’s signature and the date.
After you submit, the school’s principal and the complex area superintendent sign and acknowledge the notice and return a copy to you for your records. Keep that acknowledged copy.
You generally do not have to re-file the notice of intent every year, as long as you keep up with the annual progress reporting described below. You do need to submit a new notice if your child later transfers from one local public school’s attendance area to another.
Recordkeeping and Curriculum
Hawaii expects homeschooling parents to keep an organized record of the planned program. According to the DOE, your records should include:
- The beginning and ending dates of the program
- A record of the number of hours per week spent on instruction
- The subject areas covered
- The method used to determine mastery of the material
- A list of the textbooks or other instructional materials used
The Annual Progress Report
Once a year you must report on your child’s progress to the principal of your local public school, using one of these methods:
- A score or progress report from a nationally normed standardized achievement test
- A written evaluation by a teacher certified to teach in the State of Hawaii
- A parent-written evaluation that describes progress in each subject area and includes samples of the child’s work, tests, assignments, and grades
In addition, Hawaii requires a nationally normed standardized assessment in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. (The DOE notes that public school students are no longer tested in grade 10 and are instead tested in grade 11, but the homeschool requirement still references grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 — check with your school for the current testing window.)
A Few Things To Be Aware Of
- Public school classes and activities. Hawaii’s DOE has historically not allowed homeschooled students to enroll in individual classes or join extracurriculars at public schools. Policies can vary by school and have shifted over time, so contact your local school directly to ask what participation, if any, is currently available. Homeschooled students can still sit for standardized and college-entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT.
- High school diploma. Homeschooling on its own does not produce a state-recognized high school diploma. To earn a DOE diploma, a student generally must attend a public high school for a minimum of three full years and meet the graduation credit requirements. Other common paths to a recognized credential include a GED or a Community School for Adults program.
- College admission. Hawaii’s public universities, including the University of Hawaii at Manoa, do accept applications from homeschooled students, but admission requirements for homeschoolers are set by each campus and change periodically. Confirm the current requirements directly with the school or university you are targeting, and keep thorough transcripts and test scores to support the application.
For the official forms and the latest guidance, start with the DOE’s homeschool page and its homeschooling FAQ, and review HAR Chapter 8‑12 if you want the full text of the rules.
