How Hawaii Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

Enlightium Academy is an approved private Christian school that is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Enlightium has served homeschool, online, and co-op school students in K-12 since 2003. As K-12 education policies are different in each state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Hawaii Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington D.C.; however, with a freedom to educational opportunities comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, yet you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help! 

Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Hawaii's homeschooling requirements.

 

Hawaii’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Does the Parent Need to Notify the State?	Yes
State Educational Funds	No
Academic Calendar Requirement	No
Reporting Age Requirement	5
Instructor Qualifications	No
Required Subjects	No
Standardized Assessment	Yes, beginning in grade 3
Immunization Requirement	Yes, with exemptions
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Submit an Annual Report	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Hawaii Families	Yes

 

Notifying the State

The Hawaii Department of Education requires homeschooling families to provide a notice of intent to the principal of the public school that your student would otherwise be attending. 

There are two options to inform the principal:

1. Form 4140 by the Hawaii Department of Education, or
2. A written notice that includes
   1. The student’s name
   2. The student’s birthdate
   3. The student’s grade level
   4. The family’s address
   5. The family’s phone number
   6. The parent’s signature

If no longer enrolled at Enlightium, you need to notify the principal of the local public school that your student would otherwise be attending.

 

State Educational Funds

No state educational funds are available for homeschooling families at this time.

 

Age Requirement

Ages four or younger:

Students are not required to attend school but can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to have a head start and be ready for Kindergarten.

Aged five on or before July 31:

They must attend school during that academic year; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until at least the academic year in which they turn 18 years old on or before January 1.

 

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of Hawaii; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Enlightium Academy does not require student immunization as we serve homeschooled students but must abide by state regulations. You may find the Hawaii state exemption form here. 

 

Instructor Qualifications

The Hawaii Department of Education does not require homeschool students to have teachers with specific credentials or qualifications. 

As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are state and/or ACSI-certified. A number of our faculty members have Master's and Doctorate degrees in their fields. 

Students in the Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) can use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) can use the digital Christian curriculum, "Ignitia". Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 3-12) can use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and electives courses. Click here to learn about the curriculum used at Enlightium Academy and to find the curriculum option that works best for your family.

 

Required Subjects

The Hawaii Department of Education does not require any specific courses but does require that the curriculum be structured with expected student outcomes. 

After you enroll/re-enroll and before your student starts courses at Enlightium Academy, your student’s counselor will send you an email with a recommended course schedule consisting of core courses and, if applicable, courses that fulfill Enlightium’s graduation requirements. Your student can also select from Enlightium’s elective courses.

Additionally, Enlightium incorporates expected student outcomes into its curriculum.

 

Standardized Assessment

The Hawaii Department of Education requires homeschooled students to take a standardized assessment every year.

Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:

• Grades PreK-8: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment - tests cover the required material, and test scores are provided via email to the parent
• Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the SAT and ACT

Parents with students in grades PreK-2 should check locally for standardized assessment options.

 

Keep a Portfolio

The Hawaii Department of Education requires homeschooling families to keep a “record of the planned curriculum” and the textbooks and other materials used. These are available in Enlightium’s scope and sequences and supply lists, respectively.

The Hawaii Department of Education may also require families to provide the number of hours each week that the student receives instruction. Enlightium families can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a report of hours spent on each subject. 

The Hawaii Department of Education is also interested in what method(s) are used to determine the mastering of the subject matter; at Enlightium Academy, quizzes and tests provide this information. Students have the option to review any missed material and may have the option to retake quizzes and tests to earn better scores.

You may need to provide your state with additional information, so keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy and include:

• Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
• Course plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the enrollment/re-enrollment process based on the student’s grade level: primary school (PreK-2), elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
• Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students after quarters 1, 2, and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of the school year or summer.
• Test scores - This can include occasional screenshots of test scores and/or standardized assessment scores.
• Academic Awards - Enlightium provides qualifying students with certificates for Honor Roll, Scholar’s List, Dean’s List, and the Presidential Award.
• Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and spelling bees.

 

Submit an Annual Report

Hawaii requires homeschooling families to submit an annual report to the local school district’s principal.

For all grade levels, include:

• Your student’s progress: Enlightium families can use the latest progress report or report card/transcript provided via email.

For grades PreK-2 include:

• A written evaluation by the parent, which includes:
  • A description of the student’s progress in each course; Enlightium families can use progress reports as evidence.
  • Samples of the student’s work: Enlightium families can take screenshots while the student works or use curriculum samples provided by Enlightium.
  • Tests and assignments with grades: Enlightium families can take screenshots while the student works.

For grades 3, 5, and 8 include:

• A standardized test’s results; students can take the Iowa Complete assessment in the Spring

For grades 4, 6, and 7, include one of the following:

• A standardized test’s results: students in grades 4, 6, and 7 can take the Iowa Complete assessment in the Spring
• A written evaluation by the parent, which includes:
  • A description of the student’s progress in each course; Enlightium families can use progress reports as evidence.
  • Samples of the student’s work: Enlightium families can take screenshots while the student works or use curriculum samples provided by Enlightium
  • Tests and assignments with grades: Enlightium families can take screenshots while the student works

For grades 9-12, include one of the following:

• A college preparatory assessment (required for grade 10)
• A written evaluation by the parent, which includes:
  • A description of the student’s progress in each course; Enlightium families can use progress reports as evidence.
  • Samples of the student’s work: Enlightium families can take screenshots while the student works or use curriculum samples provided by Enlightium
  • Tests and assignments with grades: Enlightium families can take screenshots while the student works

 

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Hawaii Families

Enlightium Academy has an app and desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living in Hawaii to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. 

Your family will be added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).

 

Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?

1. Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
2. If you have any questions:
   1. Chat with a team member
   2. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   3. Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
3. Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the blue button near the top of the page.

 

Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher-supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (866) 488-4818, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.

We review state requirements and regulations annually; however, each state may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your state board of education.

 

Sources reviewed in January 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/EnrollingInSchool/Choosingaschool/Pages/Homeschooling-FAQs.aspx