Hawai’i’s charter schools are tuition-free public schools of choice open to all, serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Each charter school offers a different learning environment; some offer blended learning, others focus on Hawaiian language immersion or arts integration, and others offer project-based learning or a Waldorf model of learning.

Unlike traditional public schools, charters are operated and managed by independent governing boards. They operate under a performance contract with the State Public Charter School Commission. If you’re interested in learning more about Hawai‘i’s charter schools, please connect with the charter school commission.

Charter School Commission

The mission of the State Public Charter School Commission​ is to authorize high-quality public charter schools throughout Hawai’i. The Commission approves quality applications for new charter schools and monitors the performance and legal compliance of existing charter schools. The major responsibilities of the Charter School commission include:

• Providing assistance and support for the development, growth, progress, and success of the charter schools and the charter school system;
• Determining charter school and charter school system needs through analysis and providing recommendations on charter school issues;
• Serving as an advocate for the charter schools and the charter school system and representing them in communications with the Board of Education, governor and Legislature;
• Acting as a liaison, conduit, mediator and facilitator between the charter schools and state agencies; and
• Preparing and executing the overall charter school system budget and allocating and distributing both state and federal funds to the charter schools.