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Hawaii Schools and Educational Opportunities

Updated On: 11/19/2012 12:30:04 PM

There are approximately 24,468 school-age dependents of military members assigned to installations in Hawaii. All children between six and eighteen years of age must attend school as kindergarten and junior kindergarten are not mandatory in Hawaii.

Hawaii State Law requires all students to meet health examination and immunization requirements before they may attend any public or private school in the state.

Branch School Liaisons:

Subject matter experts to help with all school questions and concerns:

Air Force (808) 449-1577

Army (808) 655-9818

Coast Guard (808) 842-2011

Marine Corps (808) 257-8826

Navy (808) 474-1999

National and Air Guard (808) 844-6461

HAWAII Department of
Education, Public Schools

The statewide school program in Hawaii is among the tenth largest in the United States. The Hawaii school district consists of 289 schools, 256 regular, 2 special, and 31 charter schools, on seven islands, with over 181,213 total students, and 118,458 of them on Oahu. Of the over 24,000 military dependants, approximately 15,000 dependants attend public schools.

Understanding alignment of attendance: There is only one school district in Hawaii. The schools are grouped into Complex Areas; one high school, multiple elementary schools and a middle school. The complex areas are then grouped into island area districts. To view the schools in each complex, visit http://doe.k12.hi.us/myschool/map oahu.htm.

For the school years 2011-2013, all public schools, except Charter schools and multi-track public schools, are required a school year of 180 instructional days, which includes 915 student instructional hours for elementary school grades and 990 student instructional hours for secondary school grades.

Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten eligibility: Children who are five years of age by Aug. 1 may be enrolled in kindergarten. Children who are born from Aug. 2 through Dec. 31 may be enrolled in junior kindergarten. For more information, contact your child’s school, your branch school liaison, or call the Hawaii Dept of Education, Early Childhood Education Specialist at (808) 832-3303, ext. 249.

Graduation Requirements: Beginning with the class of 2013: Graduation requirements for Hawaii public schools, grades nine through twelve (9-12)include the following credits (for more information: http://graduation.k12.hi.us.

Credits HS BoE
Required Diploma Diploma
English (1) 4 4
Social Studies 4 4
Mathematics 3 4
Science 3 3
Physical Education (4) 1 1
Senior Project NA 1*
Health 0.5 0.5
Personal Transition Plan 0.5 0.5
Electives (any subject area) 6 5
Two credits in the following: 2 2
World Language (5)
Performing/Fine Arts
Career or Technical Education
Total Credits 24 25

Notes:

English will include English Language Arts 1 and English Language Arts 2.
No more than one math credit can be lower than Algebra 1.
No substitution courses are allowed for the three science credits.
P.E. credit includes P.E. Lifetime Fitness (½ credit) and P.E. basic elective (½ credit).
Foreign language credits must be in the same language, e.g., two credits in French, NOT one credit in French and one credit in Japanese.
The Course "Modern History of Hawaii" is required for graduation, but other state history courses can fulfill the requirement.

High School Diploma: The High School diploma shall be issued to students who have met all graduation requirements by demonstrating mastery of essential competencies.

Board of Education (BoE) Recognition Diploma: The Board of Education Recognition Diploma is awarded to students with grade point averages of 3.0 and above who successfully complete additional required coursework (see credits). For students who meet the requirements, the BoE Recognition Diploma is awarded:

Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5
Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.5+ to 3.8
Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.8+ and above.

Certificate of Completion: The Certificate of Completion of an Individually Prescribed Program (IPP) shall be issued to a student with a disability who completes all the requirements set by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Visit http://graduation.k12.hi.us for more information on the types of diplomas awarded and the requirements for each.

Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools operating independently from the Department of Education and provide an alternative to regular public schools. Twelve of Hawaii’s 31 charter schools are located on Oahu. To learn more about the charter schools in Hawaii, visit http://www.hcsao.org

Private and Religious Schools

Hawaii has at least 150 private schools with over 100 on Oahu. Tuition at these institutes ranges from about $3,000 to $20,000 for day students. Many of the schools have waiting lists and require entrance tests and interviews prior to admission. For information on private school, application and admission requirements, go to the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), http://www.hais.org.

Hawaii Catholic Schools

http://www.hawaiicatholicschools.net

Hawaii Lutheran Schools

http://www.lhshawaii.org

K12 Academics

http://www.k12.com/hta

Private School Review

http://www.privateschoolreview.com

Home schooling in Hawaii

Hawaii Board of Education (BOE) regulations include Compulsory Attendance Exceptions recognizing home schooling as a viable and legitimate alternative for child education. This regulation allows parents to home school their children by officially informing the DOE with a notice of intent using a DOE Form 4140 or a letter containing the following information:

Child(ren) name(s):

Residential address:

Point of Contact phone number:

Child(ren) birth date(s):

Grade level:

Parental signature:

This notice of intent acknowledges, as a matter of record, the parent’s intent to home school and allows the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to assist parents in their educational efforts. It is recommended to Parents to send the letter certified/return receipt as the letter serves as proof of home schooling is the educational choice of the parent.

Basic homeschooling requirements include but are not limited to:

Narrative progress report and report card

HIDOE testing for students in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10

Home schooled children may participate in the HIDOE statewide testing program at the local public school or parents may arrange for private testing at their own expense.

NOTE: Parents must submit Hawaii Form, 4140 or a letter of intent to their residential school, yet parents do not need to enroll their student in school if home schooling, nor fill out Impact Aid cards as they do not apply to home-schooled children. Therefore, birth certificate, proof of residency, TB clearance, Form 14 physical examination form are not required to home school.

The home schooling parent is responsible for the child’s total education program as a home schooled child are not eligible to enroll in selected courses, e.g., music, foreign language or sports. For information on Hawaii curriculum content and performance standards visit, http://standardstoolkit.k12.hi.us/index.html.

HOME SCHOOLING and High School: A student who wants a high school diploma can obtain one by achieving a satisfactory GED test score, which is administered by various community schools. The diploma reflects high school equivalency through adult education. Please call the high school in your residential area, or your branch School Liaison, for complete details on home schooling and high school questions.

Families are required to notify the principal if the home schooling program is terminated or if another educational program is initiated. For more information, contact the principal of the schools that serves your residential area, or visit: http://doe.k12.hi.us/myschool/homeschool.

Homeschooling Resources

Home School Legal Defense Association

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/HI/default.asp

Homeschooling in Hawaii

http://www.homeschoolinginhawaii.com

Hawaii Home School Association

http://www.hawaiihomeschoolassociation.org

Christian Homeschoolers

http://www.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org

A to Z Home’s Cool Homeschooling

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/hawaii.htm

Registration Requirements in Hawaii

Complete information can be found on the Hawaii DOE web page: http://doe.k12.hi.us/register/index.htm

To enroll parents will need: Birth Certificate and all legal documents such as Power of Attorney if not residing with parents.

Physical Examination: Medical records showing that a licensed physician has examined the child within one year of school entry date.

Tuberculosis Clearance: This examination must include a negative Tuberculin Skin Test with the result indicating the millimeter reading (which must be performed by a licensed U.S. Physician) and must have been obtained within one year of school entry date.

Immunizations:All immunizations must meet the minimum age and interval dose.

For a complete list visit: http://hawaii.gov/health/STAGING/health/Immunization/SHR.html

Transcripts and Documents from the previous school: A release from the last school attended which includes an unofficial transcript or latest report card as well as IEPs for students with special needs. Most schools do not release official permanent student records until requested by the new school, parents or guardians are advised to hand-carry copies of report cards, promotion certificates and other materials that will be helpful in the enrollment and placement of students in proper courses.

Proof of residence: You will need a rental agreement/military housing documentation/mortgage or a copy of a utility bill (water, electric, gas or telephone). Documents must have parent/guardian(s) name.

Legal documents: Power of Attorney and or court documents if not living with parents.

Other: Inhaler and EpiPen Consent form - http://sp.k12.hi.us/pdf/form_InhalerEpiPen.pdf

School Calendars

All public schools, except charter and multi-track schools, follow a single school calendar. School starts early in Hawaii, usually the last week of July or the first week of August. The calendar for school year is included in this section. If it is not due to publication timelines, please visit the HIDOE web page at: http://doe.k12.hi.us/ and click on SCHOOL CALENDAR.

School Transportation

School bus service in Hawaii requires payment. Eligible families may elect to use the bus for transportation and this cost is available from annual passes to monthly passes. For complete information and requirements: https://iportal.k12.hi.us/SBT/

City Bus: The city-operated carrier, called "The Bus," is available to students (up to age 19 with a valid high school ID) for $1 a ride. Monthly passes are $25 and Annual passes $275. Visit http://www.thebus.org/Fare/youthFare.asp for more information.

District Offices: Once you have found a place to live on Oahu, contact your branch school liaison and or the appropriate district office to learn the school(s) your child(ren) will be attending.

Honolulu District Office (808) 733-4952

Central Oahu District Office (808) 627-7478

Leeward District Office (808) 692-8000

Windward Oahu District Office (808) 233-5700

Geographic Exception: If you know where you will be living but are still in temporary quarters, you may request a Geographic Exception. Contact your branch school liaison for detailed information. Hawaii Department of Education information is available at http://doe.k12.hi.us/ge/index.htm.

Community Programs

Department of Education Family
Support Services and Parent
Community Networking Centers (PCNC)

The Parent-Community Networking Centers (PCNC) serve to create supportive partnerships among the home, the school and the community for the purposes of supporting student success and building a sense of family and community. The PCNC are school-based centers for families, volunteers and community to identify their strengths, collaborate, make decisions and create partnerships as a part of the Comprehensive Student Support System. The parent involvement program and goals of the PCNC are embedded in the school’s Standards Implementation Design action plans, and serve through a network of relationships among partners, to ultimately support parents and their children’s success in school. Contact your school for more information or visit http://familysupport.k12.hi.us.

HIDOE Learning Centers: Hawaii Learning Centers were initiated in the spring of 1987. They offer Hawaii high school students who have special interests and talents with creative and innovative educational opportunities and choices. For more information please go to: http://doe.k12.hi.us/nclb/21cclc/

HIDOE Electronic Schools: The Hawaii Department of Education offers an online electronic school. The "E-School" can be accessed on the Internet and offers students the opportunity to earn high school credits through the use of multimedia technologies. The E-School also provides incoming students with an opportunity to learn more about Hawaii’s history prior to their arrival in Oahu. For more information on Hawaii’s E-School and for a listing of available courses, visit http://www.eschool.k12.hi.us or http://www.eschool.k12.hi.us./faq.htm.

Education Initiatives in Hawaii: USPACOM Military Child Education Longitudinal Study: This 3-year study, which started in 2010, is examining families’ attitudes about educating their children in Hawaii, whether public, private or home schooled; looking at how parents chose their children’s school; what they heard about the schools prior to coming to Hawaii and whether those perceptions change over time. Visit https://www.hawaiikids.org and http://community.apan.org/pop/w/wiki/pacom-education-study.aspx for more information on the study.

Joint Venture Education Forum (JVEF): Established in 1999 by Sen. Daniel Inouye, the JVEF is a cooperative venture between the military community and the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to improve educational opportunities for military dependents in public school system. JVEF is comprised of public school educators and leaders from military commands, government, community and business. The Executive Board is co-chaired by the HQ USPACOM J1 Director and the Hawaii Superintendent of Education. The Board is comprised of 25 Standing Members representing the Military Components/Bases, Coast Guard, National Guard, DOE, State Legislators, Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Business Roundtable, Parent Teacher Student Association, principals of military impacted schools and parents. For more information about JVEF visit: http://www.pacom.mil/web/site_pages/staff%20directory/j1/J14JVEF_About.shtml.

Hawaii Families for Educational Choice: HFEC is a non-profit educational service organization that strives to increase public knowledge about alternative education. Visit http://www.hawaiiedchoice.org.

HE’E Hui for Excellence in Education: "HE’E," is a statewide coalition of stakeholders committed to working collaboratively to identify opportunities to improve public education in Hawai‘i. HE‘E seeks to be the focal point for community and parent engagement while serving as a public resource for educational policy. http://www.heecoalition.org/

Hawaii Board of Education Step Up Hawaii: Step Up! is a community-wide campaign that promotes college and career readiness for Hawaii’s high school students. Visit http://www.stepuphawaii.org/node/52 or contact the Board of Education at (808) 586-3349 or BOE_hawaii@notes.k12.hi.us for more information.

Hawaii School Guide: The overall vision of HSG is for the education opportunities available to Hawaii’s residents to be transparent and accessible and to help parents make the best possible education choices for their child(ren). Visit http://www.hawaiischoolguide.com.

Hawaii P-20 Partnership for Education: P-20 aims to improve the quality and equity of Hawaii’s educational pipeline, from early childhood through postsecondary education, and to prepare a highly skilled workforce for Hawaii industry. Visit http://www.p20Hawaii.org for more information.

School Liaison Officers and Offices

Each branch of service provides military members on Oahu School Liaison Officers (SLO) to be advocates for military families and to serve as the link between the military communities and Hawaii Public Schools. For assistance regarding your transition to Hawaii and educational issues, contact your School Liaison officer.

Air Force (808) 449-1577

Army (808) 655-9818

Coast Guard (808) 842-2011

Marine Corps (808) 257-8826

Navy (808) 474-1999

National Guard (808) 844-6461

FEDERAL SURVEY CARDS and IMPACT AID: Since 1950, the federal government has been paying a share of the cost of educating each child who lives on or whose parent/legal guardian is employed on federal property. These funds, authorized under the Public Law 103-382, provide only a partial reimbursement to the State of Hawaii and other school districts affected by federal activity for local tax losses resulting from tax-free federal installations. The amount received is solely based on the number of federally-connected students who return their survey cards which are given out annually in September. All branches of the service strongly encourage military members to dutifully complete these cards as these funds are critical to the schools and our children.

Student Online Achievement Resources (SOAR): SOAR is an innovative program provided by the OSD that makes it easy for parents to play an active role in their children’s education. SOAR is designed for military families, and is easily accessible worldwide. Students take an assessment aligned to state standards, and SOAR directs them to individualized tutorials to improve skills where needed. Parents can monitor their children’s progress from anywhere, and are provided with resource materials. Sign up at http://www.soarathome.org for this great resource.

Tutor.com: Tutors are online 24/7 and eligible military families in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy can take advantage of this military family program to get help with more than 16 subjects. Visit http://www.tutor.com/military.

Other Education Links

The ARCH site, (Accountability Research Center Hawaii): Statistics and HIDOE reports by year and complex area. http://arch.k12.hi.us

Hawaii Education Matters: http://www.hawaiieducationmatters.org

Hawaii State Legislature: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov

Hawaii Parent Teacher Student Association: http://www.hawaiiStatePTSA.com

Higher Education: Education opportunities are abundant both on and off base. A trip to your installation education office will avail numerous options. Some of the schools offering programs include the following:

University of Hawaii System: UH was established in 1907 and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The University of Hawaii is the state’s sole public system of higher education. The UH System provides an array of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees and community programs on 10 campuses and through educational, training, and research centers across the state. UH enrolls nearly 60,000 students from Hawaii, the U.S. mainland and around the world. For more information, visit http://www.hawaii.edu.

The 10 UH Campuses

1. UH Manoa: The largest and oldest UH campus is located in a residential valley above Waikiki. Manoa offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees; a strong, vital research program; and nationally ranked NCAA Division I athletics.

2. UH Hilo: The Big Island of Hawaii is a natural living laboratory of active volcanoes, deep oceans, the world’s best telescopes and a rich cultural landscape. UH Hilo bachelor’s and master’s degree programs take advantage of it all.

3. UH West Oahu: With the lowest university tuition in Hawaii, this four-year institution offers high-quality education, personalized attention, and classes during the day, evening, weekends and online. In fall 2012, a new UH West Oahu campus is scheduled to open.

4. UH Maui College: A tri-island college, Maui provides comprehensive opportunities, special programs and two bachelor’s degrees on Maui. It operates the UH Center on Maui, education centers in Hana and on Lanai and Molokai and a pioneering television network that reaches rural areas.

5. Hawaii Community College: Located in Hilo and administering Kona’s UH Center at West Hawaii, this Hawaii Island community college offers more than 30 associate degree, certificate and non-credit programs ranging from health services and hotel operations to business and trades.

6.Honolulu Community College: Located near downtown Honolulu with additional facilities for aeronautic, marine, automotive and heavy equipment programs, this innovative community college offers a strong liberal arts curriculum in addition to a wide range of vocational and technological programs.

7. Kapiolani Community College: On the slopes of Diamond Head, just minutes from Waikiki, UH’s largest community college started the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, promotes an international focus and provides programs in business, hospitality, health, legal education and arts and sciences.

8. Kauai Community College: A primary resource center and gathering place for the island’s residents and visitors, this community college in Lihue offers business, hospitality, health, early childhood education and liberal arts courses and administers the UH Center on Kauai.

9. Leeward Community College: This community college overlooking Pearl Harbor provides comprehensive opportunities from professional studies to liberal arts. Community outreach includes cultural activities on the main campus and an education center serving Waianae.

10. Windward Community College: At the base of Oahu’s Ko’olau Mountains in Kaneohe, this supportive community college specializes in creative arts, environmental sciences and Hawaiian studies. It is home to the Office of University Partners, offering bachelor’s degree programs with classes on the Windward campus through partnerships with baccalaureate institutions.

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa:

This professional college offers over 20 business degree programs designed for full-time and part-time students. Undergraduate majors include Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management and Management Information Systems. This College also offers a part-time MBA, full-time MBA (with options in country-specific MBAs), Master of Accounting, Master of Human Resource Management and various dual master’s degrees in nursing, financial engineering and civil engineering.

This college is renowned for its expertise in international management education and is consistently ranked among the best international business programs in the nation by U.S. News and is accredited by AACSB International. For more information, visit http://www.shidler.hawaii.edu.

Hawaii Pacific University: HPU is the largest private university in the State of Hawaii, with campuses in downtown Honolulu and Kaneohe and Education Centers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Tripler Army Medical Center, Sand Island Coast Guard Station, MCBH Kaneohe Bay and MCBH Camp Smith. HPU also has online programs and flexible course schedules to improve access to educational programs for military service members, their families, Veterans, and U.S. Government civilian personnel. HPU is a participant in the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s Yellow Ribbon Program. More information at http://www.hpu.edu/military.

Wayland Baptist University: Offers both bachelor’s degrees and vocational education programs.

Central Michigan University: Master’s of science in administration is offered.

University of Oklahoma: Offers fully accredited, in-residence master’s degree programs at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Chaminade University of Honolulu:

Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees.

For more specific information, contact your Installation Education office:

Installation Educational Office phone numbers or contact the base information line at 449-7110

Hickam (808) 543-8053

Schofield Barracks (808) 687-7093

Tripler Army Medical Center (808) 544-1493

Kaneohe Marine Corps

Base Hawaii (808) 257-1232