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Homeschool laws · Hawaii

How to homeschool in Hawaii

The progress report goes to the local principal every year.

Checked November 2026 against the HSLDA summary for Hawaii. Laws change, so confirm with the source before you file.

Hawaii requirements at a glance

Notice to the state or district

Yes, every year. A notice of intent (Form 4140 or a letter) to the principal of the public school your child would attend, before you start, and a notice when you stop.

Minimum school time

None set.

Required subjects

No fixed list. The curriculum must be structured and based on educational objectives.

Parent qualifications

None.

Testing or evaluation

An annual progress report to the principal. In grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 it includes standardized test results.

Records to keep

A record of the planned curriculum: dates, weekly hours, subjects, how mastery is checked, and the materials used.

Compulsory school ages

5–18

Legal ways to homeschool in Hawaii

  • Homeschool statute

What to do, step by step

  1. 01

    File your notice

    A notice of intent (Form 4140 or a letter) to the principal of the public school your child would attend, before you start, and a notice when you stop.

    Write the letter of intent
  2. 02

    Plan your school year

    Hawaii sets no minimum number of days or hours. A planned calendar still makes the year easier to keep on track.

    Plan the school year
  3. 03

    Track attendance as you go

    Records Hawaii asks for: a record of the planned curriculum: dates, weekly hours, subjects, how mastery is checked, and the materials used. Even where nothing is required, a dated log protects you if you move, return to school or apply to college.

    Open the attendance tracker
  4. 04

    Plan the test or evaluation

    An annual progress report to the principal. In grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 it includes standardized test results.

    Log test scores
  5. 05

    Keep everything in one place

    Attendance, report cards, reading and field trip logs, test scores and work samples, in the order an evaluator or a school district usually asks for them.

    See the Records Binder

Hawaii homeschool questions

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Hawaii?

A notice of intent (Form 4140 or a letter) to the principal of the public school your child would attend, before you start, and a notice when you stop.

How many days do you have to homeschool in Hawaii?

Hawaii does not set a minimum number of days or hours for homeschoolers.

What subjects are required in Hawaii?

No fixed list. The curriculum must be structured and based on educational objectives.

Does Hawaii require testing for homeschoolers?

An annual progress report to the principal. In grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 it includes standardized test results.

Do parents need a teaching certificate in Hawaii?

No. Parents do not need any particular qualification.

Confirm before you file

This page summarizes the law in plain English and is not legal advice. Read the HSLDA legal summary for Hawaii and your state’s own education department page, and compare all 50 states in our homeschool laws by state guide.

Homeschool laws in other states