How Hawaii Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/EnrollingInSchool/Choosingaschool/Pages/Homeschooling-FAQs.aspx
https://hslda.org/legal
https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool

Enlightium Academy is a 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. With this freedom comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, but 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.

Homeschooling Options

Hawaii families who enroll with Enlightium are legally classified as homeschooling.

Hawaii’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

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 Book-Based Program (grades PreK-9) use textbook Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program use the Ignitia digital Christian curriculum (grades 3-12) or Enlightium’s custom online curriculum (available to select grade levels). Students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 1-12) use a collection of the best-vetted curriculum options by our curriculum department. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and elective 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: 

• Is structured and based on educational objectives; Enlightium addresses this with our Expected Student Outcomes. 
• Addresses the needs of the child, as well as “take into account the interests, needs, and abilities of the child”; Enlightium counselors and faculty members work together to meet the student where they are at in his or her education.
• Is cumulative and sequential; Enlightium counselors ensure students are taking the accurate courses to continue to work toward a high school diploma
• Provides a range of up-to-date knowledge and needed skills; faculty members review and update courses each summer

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 at grades three, five, eight, and ten. Additionally, Enlightium Academy requires students to take an annual assessment to keep track of how students are progressing.

Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:

• Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment. We recommend the IXL diagnostic assessment, as it provides more flexibility in scheduling and does not have an additional fee.

• Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and/or 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 progress@enlightiumacademy.com to request a report of hours spent on each subject. Similarly, families must provide the start and end dates of the homeschool program; this can be found using Enlightium’s school calendar.

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.
• Academic plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide academic plans during the admission process for each of our four divisions of grades: 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 at the end of each quarter. Transcripts are available upon request.
• 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, Outstanding Improvement, and the Presidential Award.
• Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and involvement in the Student Council.

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 one of the following:

• A standardized test’s results; students 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 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 their state’s homeschooling requirements. Your family will be provided a link to download the app after enrolling.

Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?

1. Explore Enlightium Academy’s website
2. If you have any questions:
   
   1. Chat with a team member
   2. Email consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
   3. Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
3. Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the “Enroll Now” button.

Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, hybrid, online, and book-based program K-12 students. With parental support, excellent instruction, and a personalized approach to learning, Enlightium equips students with the academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed in life. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (509) 319-2288 or visit EnlightiumSchool.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 July 2025:

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

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