Homeschooling in Hawaii? Here’s your plan.
some requirementsThousands of Hawaii families homeschool successfully. The process has more steps than some states, but every one is manageable, and we'll walk you through it.
Homeschooling in Hawaii is more manageable than it looks at first glance. Under HRS 302A-1132(a)(5) and the Board of Education's rules in HAR Chapter 8-12, you send a notice of intent to your local public school principal before you begin, keep a record of your planned curriculum at home, and submit an annual progress report. The notice is for record keeping and to protect your family from unfounded accusations of educational neglect or truancy. It is not an application.
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Hawaii homeschool requirements include conditions and exceptions. Compare the pathways below and read the conditions alongside each supported requirement.
Source: HRS 302A-1132(a)(5) (Home Instruction). Last reviewed October 2026. Current through the Hawaii legislative session that ended May 8, 2026. State education department page checked for changes October 30, 2026.
- Regulation level
- Moderate
- Compulsory ages
- 5–18
- Notification required
- Yes — simple notice to principal of the local public school the child would otherwise attend before initiating home schooling
- Assessment required
- Yes — Standardized test or Teacher evaluation or Other approved method, annually
- Required subjects
- None mandated
- Primary statute
- HRS 302A-1132(a)(5) (Home Instruction)
- Applies to children who reach age five on or before July 31 of the school year, subject to the statutory attendance exceptions.
- The statute covers children who have not reached age eighteen by January 1 of the school year; graduation and other statutory exceptions also apply.
Conditions and exceptions
Age rules
- Applies to children who reach age five on or before July 31 of the school year, subject to the statutory attendance exceptions.
- The statute covers children who have not reached age eighteen by January 1 of the school year; graduation and other statutory exceptions also apply.
Home Instruction
- Notice need not be resubmitted annually when the annual progress report is submitted. Notify the new principal when transferring to another local public school, including a change in school level.
- No separate withdrawal letter is required. The filing that excepts the child from public school attendance is the notice of intent to home school, given to the principal of the local public school before home schooling begins. It may be on Form 4140 or in a letter with the child's name, address, telephone number, birthdate and grade level and the parent's signature (HAR 8-12-13(a)).
- A parent teaching their own child is deemed a qualified instructor. This does not establish rules for unrelated paid instructors.
- No subject is mandated: the rule says the curriculum "may include" language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, health and physical education (elementary) or social studies, English, mathematics, science, health, physical education and guidance (secondary). The parent must keep a record of a structured planned curriculum (HAR 8-12-15).
- Subject areas are suggested ("may include"), not mandated. The parent must keep a record of a structured planned curriculum covering the subject areas chosen (HAR 8-12-15).
- Hawaii sets no minimum number of days or hours for home schooling. The parent's planned-curriculum record should include a record of the number of hours per week the child spends in instruction (HAR 8-12-15(2)). The average of about three hours per school day in HAR 8-12-8(c)(2) applies only to approved alternative educational programs other than home schooling.
- Annual progress may be shown by standardized testing, a Hawaii-certified teacher evaluation, or the parent’s written evaluation with progress descriptions and representative work. Separate grade-specific testing requirements and approved alternatives also apply.
- Annual progress report; statewide testing requirements separately apply in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10.
- There is no single passing score. When standardized test scores are used, adequate progress means scores/stanines in the upper two thirds. Other progress-report options (a certified teacher's or parent's written evaluation) are allowed, and no enrollment or neglect recommendation may be made unless progress is inadequate for two consecutive semesters, nor before third grade.
- Hawaii law does not require an attendance record for home schooling. The planned-curriculum record the parent keeps should include a record of the number of hours per week the child spends in instruction (HAR 8-12-15(2)).
- Keeping grades is not required. If the parent chooses a written parent evaluation for the annual progress report, it includes representative tests and assignments, with grades for courses if grades are given (HAR 8-12-18(b)(4)).
- A parent choosing the parent-written annual evaluation must include representative work, tests and assignments. Other progress-report options do not impose that work-sample requirement. A planned-curriculum record is still required by section 8-12-15.
- Principal reviews annual progress. If progress is inadequate, parents must share the planned curriculum when requested.
- The notice of intent needs the parent's signature (HAR 8-12-13(a)); no notarization is required.
- A parent teaching the parent's own child is deemed a qualified instructor (HAR 8-12-19).
- No waiting period is set: the notice of intent is given to the local public school principal before home schooling begins (HAR 8-12-13(a)). The Hawaii DOE says home schooling begins as soon as the signed Form 4140 or letter of intent is submitted.
- No portfolio is required. The parent keeps a record of the planned curriculum, which should include the program's start and end dates, weekly instruction hours, subject areas, the method used to determine mastery, and a bibliography of textbooks and materials (HAR 8-12-15). If the parent chooses a written parent evaluation for the annual progress report, it includes a description of progress in each subject area, representative samples of work, and representative tests and assignments with grades if given (HAR 8-12-18(b)(4)).
- The progress report is submitted to the principal once a year (HAR 8-12-18(b)); the rule sets no specific due date. The "end of each school year" timing in HAR 8-12-9(b) applies only to alternative educational programs other than home schooling.
Private School Enrollment
- State law requires no notice from the family when a child attends a private school. If the child is currently home schooled, the parent notifies the principal that home schooling has ended (HAR 8-12-16).
- The family's duty under HRS 302A-1132(a) is to send the child to a public or private school. A qualifying private school is licensed, licensed and accredited, or accredited and files annual health and safety documentation, as defined in HRS 302A-1132(d); those are the school's obligations, not the family's. Enrollment in a private school's home study program is not treated as attendance at a private school (HAR 8-12-8(b)); a child taught at home under such a program is home schooled, and the parent files a notice of intent with the local public school principal (HAR 8-12-13).
- State law requires no notice from the family when a child attends a private school.
- State law requires no withdrawal letter when a child moves to a private school.
- State law sets no instructor qualification for the family. Teaching staff are the private school's responsibility under its license or accreditation.
- State law sets no subjects for the family; the private school sets its curriculum.
- The child attends the private school for and during the school year (HRS 302A-1132(a)); state law sets no days or hours for the family, and the school sets its own calendar.
- State law requires no testing of the family; any testing is the private school's own program.
- State law requires the family to file no assessment report.
- State law requires the family to keep no attendance record.
- State law requires the family to keep no grade records.
- State law requires the family to keep no portfolio.
- State law requires the family to keep no records for review.
- The family files nothing with the state each year. The parent's duty is to send the child to a licensed or accredited private school (HRS 302A-1132(a), (d)).
- The family sends no progress reports or test results to the state. Enrolling the child in a licensed or accredited private school meets the attendance law (HRS 302A-1132(a), (d)).
The essentials under the Home Instruction
- 1Notification requirements vary by pathway
- 2Assessment requirements vary by pathway
- 3Reporting requirements vary by pathway
Hawaii offers 2 options. See all below.
What to know about homeschooling in Hawaii
Your point of contact is the principal of the public school your child would otherwise attend. Before you start, you give that principal a notice of intent, either on the Department of Education's Form 4140 or in a letter with your child's name, address, and telephone number, your child's birthdate and grade level, and your signature (HAR 8-12-13). Once your child's annual progress report is in, you do not need to resubmit the notice each year, unless your child moves to a different local public school, such as the move from elementary to intermediate school.
At home, you keep a record of your planned curriculum (HAR 8-12-15). The rule says it should include your program's start and end dates, a record of weekly instruction hours, the subject areas covered, how you determine mastery, and a list of textbooks and materials.
Each year you submit a progress report to the principal (the rule sets no specific due date) using one of four methods: a nationally normed achievement test score showing grade-level achievement, test results showing one grade level of progress per year, a written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher, or your own written evaluation with a description of progress in each subject, representative work samples, and representative tests and assignments (HAR 8-12-18(b)). Test scores are also required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 under the Statewide Testing Program. If progress is not adequate, the principal meets with you to help set a plan for improvement.
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Build My Plan →Claims and source coverage
Every fact checked against official state law
- Facts backed by official law
- 69 / 69
- Quoted word for word from the law
- 64
- Confirmed not required by law
- 5
Explore the individual claims and cited sources behind this state's requirements.
11
source records linked
Additional reference links: 3 sources including the state DOE and HSLDA.
Review status
Last reviewed October 2026. We check Hawaii's official sources for changes twice a week.
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How homeschooling works in Hawaii
Hawaii offers 2 options to homeschool. The most common is highlighted.
Most of this page describes home schooling under HRS 302A-1132(a)(5) and HAR Chapter 8-12. The other route is enrolling your child in a licensed or accredited private school (HRS 302A-1132(d)). State law puts no filing, testing, or recordkeeping duty on the family for that route; licensing and accreditation are the school's obligations. Enrollment in a private school's home study program does not count as attending a private school (HAR 8-12-8(b)), so a child taught at home through such a program is home schooled, and you file a notice of intent with your local public school principal.
| Home InstructionMost common | Private School Enrollment | |
|---|---|---|
| Filing | One-time (before initiating home schooling) | None |
| Testing | Test or Evaluation or other, annually | None |
Home Instruction
Notification
Varies by pathway
HAR 8-12-13 ·
Required subjects
See curriculum requirements in the cited source
HAR 8-12-15 ·
Testing / assessment
Varies by pathway
HAR 8-12-18 ·
Instructional time
See instructional-time requirements in the cited source
Sourced from HRS 302A-1132(a)(5); HAR 8-12. Last reviewed October 2026 · 37 individual claims tracked
Private School Enrollment
Notification
None required
Required subjects
See curriculum requirements in the cited source
Testing / assessment
None required
Instructional time
See instructional-time requirements in the cited source
Sourced from HRS 302A-1132. Last reviewed October 2026 · 26 individual claims tracked
Forms and filings
Home Instruction Notification & Plan
Issued by: principal of the public school the child would otherwise attend based on residence
When due: before the child's attendance at school would otherwise be required, or at the time of withdrawal
Hawaii-specific tips
Practical guidancePlan for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Test scores are required in these Statewide Testing Program grades. Your child can test at the local public school, or you can arrange comparable private testing at your own expense and let the principal know. You may also ask the principal to approve another means of evaluation. In those grades, the school's test results can double as your annual progress report.
Subjects and hours. No subjects are mandated: Hawaii's rule lists subject areas a curriculum "may include" (HAR 8-12-15). There is no minimum number of days or hours for home schooling; your curriculum record should include the number of hours per week your child spends in instruction.
What is not required. Hawaii law does not require an attendance record, notarization of your notice, a background check, or a separate withdrawal letter. Your notice of intent is the filing, and a parent teaching their own child is deemed a qualified instructor (HAR 8-12-19). Grades are part of a parent evaluation only if you give grades.
Ages 5 through 18. Hawaii's attendance law covers children who will be at least 5 on or before July 31 of the school year and who will not be 18 by January 1 of the school year (HRS 302A-1132(a)). If you are moving to Hawaii, check your child's age against those dates.
Special education services. Under HAR 8-12-14, statutorily mandated educational and related services are made available at the home public school site to home-schooled children who have been evaluated and certified as needing them and who request them.
Athletics and activities. Under HAR 8-12-13(d), the parent who files a notice to home school is responsible for the child's total educational program, including athletics and other co-curricular activities.
Ending home schooling. If you stop home schooling, notify the principal. Your child must be enrolled in a public or licensed private school unless a new alternative program is presented within five school days (HAR 8-12-16).
Explore Hawaii homeschool guides
How to Start
Step-by-step guide to getting started in Hawaii
Compliance Checklist
Every requirement in one checklist
Documents & Templates
Forms, letters, and what to file
Deadlines & Calendar
Filing dates and assessment deadlines
Assessment Requirements
Testing rules and what scores mean
High School
Transcripts, diplomas, and college prep
Special Needs
IEP services, therapy access, and rights
Compare with Another State
Side-by-side law comparison for relocating families
Your independent resources
Official sources and independent organizations are listed separately below. Check the source and effective date before relying on an unresolved requirement.
State DOE
Hawaii Department of EducationState Org
Hawaii Homeschool Association (HHA)Last reviewed October 2026 · How we verify