Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Hawaii?

Yes. Notice goes to Principal of the local public school the child would otherwise attend (acknowledged by the principal and complex area superintendent). Deadline: Before homeschooling begins (homeschooling starts when the signed form or letter is submitted) It renews one-time.

Homeschooling in Hawaii

What the law requires, what you file and when, and what to keep — with the statute behind each rule.

notice and review 8 sources Verified 12 October 2026

What Hawaii requires

Notify: Principal of the local public school the child would otherwise attend (acknowledged by the principal and complex area superintendent) — Before homeschooling begins (homeschooling starts when the signed form or letter is submitted) (one-time)
Testing or evaluation: Required. Annual progress report to the principal using one of: (1) nationally normed standardized test score at grade level; (2) test showing one grade level of progress per year; (3) written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher; or (4) parent's written evaluation describing progress in each subject with work samples and representative tests/assignments/grades.
Subjects set by the state: No subject list.
Teaching time: None set (parent records planned weekly instruction hours in the curriculum record).
Compulsory school age: 5 until 18 — in detail
Records: A record of the planned curriculum (not submitted, but the school may ask to review it): start and end dates, weekly instruction hours, subjects, how mastery is determined, and a bibliographic list of materials.

Taking your child out of school in Hawaii

First move: Submit Form 4140 or a letter of intent to the principal of the child's local public school; homeschooling begins on submission.

No birth certificate, proof of residency or health records are needed. To stop homeschooling, notify the principal (in writing or verbally) and say where the child is going; the child must enroll in a public or licensed private school within 5 school days unless another approved program is presented.

The legal routes

2 routes exist in Hawaii. They carry different duties, and families often do not know the alternatives to the obvious one.

Home schooling (HRS § 302A-1132(a)(5); HAR Title 8, Ch. 12): Parent teaches their own child after notifying the principal of the public school the child would otherwise attend; parent submits an annual progress report and test scores in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10.
Private school: Enrollment in a private school also satisfies compulsory attendance (other statutory exceptions exist but are not homeschool routes).

The notice, and who receives it

Goes to: Principal of the local public school the child would otherwise attend (acknowledged by the principal and complex area superintendent)
Deadline: Before homeschooling begins (homeschooling starts when the signed form or letter is submitted)
Renews: one-time
Form: Exceptions to Compulsory Education, Form 4140 (or a letter with child's name, address, phone, birth date, grade level, and parent signature/date). File a new notice if you move to another school's area or the child changes school level. The notice does not need resubmitting each year as long as the annual progress report is submitted (HAR 8-12-13/8-12-18). — official form

Compulsory school age

5 (by July 31 of the school year) until 18 (not yet 18 by January 1 of the school year). Note: the homeschool rules (HAR 8-12) still define school age as 6 to 18, but the statute controls.

Teaching time

None set (parent records planned weekly instruction hours in the curriculum record).

Who may teach

None; a parent teaching their own child is deemed qualified.

Testing and evaluation

Annual progress report to the principal using one of: (1) nationally normed standardized test score at grade level; (2) test showing one grade level of progress per year; (3) written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher; or (4) parent's written evaluation describing progress in each subject with work samples and representative tests/assignments/grades. Test scores are also required in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 (free at the local school via Smarter Balanced/HSA, or private testing at parent cost).

Public school students now test in grade 11, but HIDOE's Feb. 2026 FAQ says homeschoolers must still submit grade 10 scores. Adequate test progress = upper two-thirds of stanines/score bands; if progress is inadequate the principal meets with the parent to make an improvement plan, and enrollment/neglect referrals are allowed only after two consecutive semesters of inadequate progress and never before grade 3.

Deadline: Yearly (no specific date set in the rule or HIDOE guidance)

Records to keep

A record of the planned curriculum (not submitted, but the school may ask to review it): start and end dates, weekly instruction hours, subjects, how mastery is determined, and a bibliographic list of materials. Rule's suggested subjects: elementary - language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music, health, PE; secondary - social studies, English, math, science, health, PE, guidance.

High school, diplomas and transcripts

HIDOE grants no credit for homeschool time and does not issue a public high school diploma to homeschoolers; a public diploma requires at least 3 full years in a public high school plus credit requirements. A homeschooled student (16+, homeschooled at least one semester, with a valid Form 4140) can earn a High School Equivalency credential through the GED/HSE via a community school for adults.

On request the designated high school principal gives written acknowledgment of compliant homeschooling (requires the grade 3/5/8/10 reports).

Public school classes, sports and activities

Generally no. HIDOE reads the rule that parents are responsible for the 'total educational program' (including athletics and co-curriculars) as barring part-time enrollment, and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association requires enrollment at the school represented.

Required special education/related services are available at the home public school for evaluated, eligible children whose parents request them.

Funding: education savings accounts, vouchers and tax credits

None known (no ESA, voucher or tax credit program).

What changed recently

No law change 2023-2026. In 2026, SB 3193 / HB 2376 would have required homeschoolers to take annual in-person tests at their local public school; the House Education Committee deferred HB 2376 (Feb.

17, 2026) and SB 3193 died in committee. HIDOE guidance (2026) notes public school testing moved from grade 10 to grade 11; homeschoolers are still required to submit grade 10 scores under the rule.

What we could not confirm

No specific due date exists for the annual progress report; families should ask their school. The official capitol.hawaii.gov statute and bill-status pages could not be loaded (used Justia and LegiScan).

Part-time enrollment and athletics information comes from CRHE (April 2023), not HIDOE; HIDOE's FAQ does not address it.

Listed because a legal summary that hides its gaps is harder to trust than one that names them. How these pages are checked.

Statutes and sources

Statute and regulation

HRS § 302A-1132
HAR §§ 8-12-1 to 8-12-22 (Title 8, Chapter 12, Compulsory Attendance Exceptions)