Maybe you’re stepping away from traditional school for the first time, or maybe you’ve always planned for a more hands-on approach to your child’s education. Either way, homeschooling in Hawaii comes with unique steps and guidelines worth knowing before you dive in.
Here, you’ll find everything you need to confidently start your home school program. You’ll also discover how flexible resources, like Outschool, can support your child’s learning and bring new ideas into your day-to-day teaching.
Homeschooling options in Hawaii
Hawaii recognizes homeschooling under one formal process guided by the state’s homeschool regulations. It begins when you file a Notice of Intent with your local public school principal, discussed in more detail below. From there, you’re responsible for developing your own curriculum and overseeing your child’s learning at home.
This path comes with responsibilities like recordkeeping and yearly progress updates, but you’ll have the flexibility to decide what learning looks like day to day. Once you know the main steps, it’s a simple process to follow!
Requirements for homeschooling in Hawaii
These are the core requirements you’ll need to follow when running a home school program in Hawaii. They cover everything from filing initial paperwork to documenting progress at the end of the year.
Enrollment paperwork
To begin homeschooling officially, you’ll need to file a Notice of Intent with your local public school principal. You can do this with Form 4140 or a letter that includes: your child’s name, birth date, grade level, home address, and your signature. The good news is that this only needs to be submitted once, unless your family moves to a new district or your child transitions between school levels (like elementary to middle school).
Attendance and instruction
While there’s no required number of hours or school days in Hawaii, the Department of Education expects homeschool instruction to be structured and consistent. That means setting clear start and end dates for your school year and following a planned routine that helps your child progress from one concept to the next.
Pro tip: A weekly schedule or planner is a great way to keep everything on track!
Curriculum guidelines
You have complete control over what and how you teach, but your curriculum should be organized and cover a broad range of subjects. These subject areas are suggested, not required, but they provide helpful guidance for building a well-rounded program.
For elementary grades, the suggested subjects include:
- Language arts
- Math
- Science
- Social studies
- Art
- Music
- Health
- Physical education
For secondary levels, suggested areas include:
- English
- Math
- Science
- Social studies
- Health
- Physical education
- Guidance
You can choose your own materials and methods, such as textbooks, online courses, or hands-on projects.
Recordkeeping
Parents are responsible for documenting their homeschool program, and it helps to stay organized from the start. At a minimum, your records should include:
- Start and end dates for the homeschool year
- Subjects taught
- Instructional hours per week
- Textbooks or resources used
- How you assess your child’s progress
You can keep a simple binder or digital folder with lesson plans, sample work, and a running log of what’s been covered.
Testing and assessments
Each year, you’ll submit a progress report to your child’s school principal. In grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, the report must include the results of a standardized test or an equivalent assessment. For all other years, you can choose from the following options:
- Standardized test results
- A written evaluation from a certified teacher
- A parent-written report with supporting work samples
These yearly updates show that your child is making progress, without requiring state oversight of your daily instruction.
Homeschool with Outschool
Having the right tools can make a big difference when you’re homeschooling. Outschool offers live and self-paced classes that fit easily into a variety of homeschool approaches. Here’s how Outschool can support your homeschool journey in Hawaii:
- A wide range of subjects, including core academics and enrichment
- Live classes taught by experienced teachers
- Flexible scheduling for full-time or part-time use
- Affordable options to fill curriculum gaps or introduce advanced topics
- Support for creating progress reports
Outschool can help you create a homeschool experience that’s both engaging and adaptable to your child’s needs.
How to get started
Now that you know the core homeschooling requirements, the next step is getting things in place so you can start teaching with confidence. Hawaii’s process is simple enough to follow, and with a little prep, you’ll be ready to go.
Step 1: Submit your Notice of Intent
Let your local public school principal know you plan to homeschool by submitting a Notice of Intent. This first step puts your home school program on record and officially opens the door for you to begin teaching your child at home.
Step 2: Map out your learning plan
Decide what your school year will look like. Choose subjects, gather your materials, and create a schedule that works for your family.
Step 3: Keep track of your teaching
Keep track of what you’re teaching throughout the year. You don’t have to log everything every day, but having notes ready makes it much easier when it’s time to write your year-end report. A binder, folder, or a simple spreadsheet can be effective tools for maintaining organization.
Step 4: Review your child’s progress each year
At the end of the school year, you’ll put together a summary showing how your child is doing. This might include test results, a written evaluation, or a collection of work samples, depending on your child’s grade and what makes the most sense for your homeschool.
Find support through homeschool communities in Hawaii
It helps to have a place to ask questions, share ideas, or simply feel connected to others who understand your day-to-day. Hawaii has a growing number of homeschool communities, both online and in-person, that offer encouragement, resources, and opportunities to connect with other families.
Statewide organizations
- Hawaii Homeschool Community (HHC): An inclusive support group for homeschooling families with children ages five and up. HHC helps enrich the homeschool experience by facilitating connections, activities, and resource sharing across a wide range of educational approaches.
- Secular Home Education of Hawaii: Based on the east side of the Big Island, this group offers field trips, enrichment classes, and regular meetups for secular homeschooling families.
- SEA Homeschoolers: A large, diverse network of secular, eclectic, and academic homeschoolers offering community support, vetted resources, and access to online classes and events.
Local groups and co-ops
- O’ahu Inclusive Co-op: A welcoming homeschool group that supports LGBTQ+ families and promotes diverse, inclusive learning through classes and events on Oʻahu.
- Home Educated Keiki (HEK): A Facebook-based community serving the Ewa Beach and Kapolei areas. Offers resource sharing, co-op opportunities, and local PE activities.
- Ohana Homeschool Cooperative: A secular, Waldorf-inspired group based in North Kohala (Big Island) focused on community, nature, and creative learning.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Homeschooling in Hawaii comes with a few specific steps, and it’s normal to have questions, especially when you’re just getting started. Here are answers to some of the most common things families want to know.
Do you need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool every year in Hawaii?
No. You only need to file a Notice of Intent once, unless your child moves to a different school district or transitions between school levels, such as from elementary to middle school.
What should you include in your child’s homeschool progress report?
Your report should explain how your child is doing in their core subjects. Depending on your child’s grade, you’ll include either standardized test scores, a written evaluation by a certified teacher, or a parent-written summary with work samples and assessment details.
What subjects should you include in your homeschool curriculum?
You’re free to design your child’s curriculum in the way that works best for your family. There’s no required list of subjects, but it’s helpful to cover core academic areas like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. If you’d like a guide, you can refer to the Hawaii Department of Education’s Subject Matter Standards for subject ideas and benchmarks.
Can you use something other than a standardized test to show your child’s progress?
Yes. In most grades, you have options. You can submit a certified teacher’s evaluation or create your own report with samples of your child’s work. For grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, though, you’ll need to include either standardized test results or an approved equivalent.
Can homeschooled students in Hawaii go to college after graduation?
Yes. Many homeschooled students go on to college, just like their peers in public or private school. Admissions offices often look at transcripts, portfolios, standardized test scores, or high school equivalency credentials like the GED or HiSET.
Moving forward with homeschooling in Hawaii
You’ve got the basics down, from submitting your Notice of Intent to choosing your curriculum, and now the real work (and fun!) begins. Homeschooling gives you the chance to shape each day around your child’s interests and needs, one lesson at a time.
If you’re looking for extra support or fresh inspiration, Outschool offers flexible class options that can complement your homeschool goals. It’s one more way to make your homeschool experience feel supported and engaging.
.svg)
.svg)
