Aloha and welcome to Hawai‘i public schools! We are committed to providing a high-quality education for all students—regardless of their geographic location, background, economic standing or whether they are in English or Hawaiian language pathways—and we look forward to welcoming your child to our school system.

At Hawaiʻi public schools, we strive for a K–12 system where graduates are globally competitive, with the academic knowledge and skills to thrive, and have a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to their local communities. Our public schools are organized into 15 districts called complex areas. Each complex area consists of two to four “complexes”—a group of schools that includes a high school and its feeder elementary and middle schools.

School is mandatory in Hawai‘i for students aged 5 through 18. Students are required to attend the school that serves the geographic district where they live.

sending your child to school

Mandatory for Children Living in Hawai‘i

School is mandatory in Hawai‘i for students aged 5 (as of July 31 of the school year) through 18 (as of January 1 of a given school year). Please view HRS 302A-1132 for reference. Students are required to attend the school that serves the geographic district where they live. You can use our SchoolSite Locator tool to view district and school service boundaries.

(as of July 31 of the school year) through 18 (as of January 1 of a given school year). Please view HRS 302A-1132 for reference. Students are required to attend the school that serves the geographic district where they live. You can use our SchoolSite Locator tool to view district and school service boundaries—simply type in your address in the upper left corner of the site, including city, until your address materializes in a drop-down menu. Select it and you’ll be zoomed to the service area.

Note: Enrollment counts and service boundaries are in flux. We recommend contacting the school directly to confirm if it serves your home.

Understanding Race & Ethnicity Reporting

The U.S. Department of Education requires that all states report the race and ethnicity of students enrolling in public school. The state of Hawai‘i does not report individual information, but reports total counts of students by different sub-group categories of race and ethnicity. Although you have the right as a parent to decline to provide this information to the school, Federal rules require that every student be assigned an ethnicity and/or race category. The schools will designate a category in the event a parent declines to provide that information.

Families in Unstable Housing

There are nearly 3,600 students identified in unstable housing across the state. Families experiencing unstable housing have rights under the McKinney-Vento Act to ensure their children continue uninterrupted access to education and services. Learn about Rights under the McKinney-Vento Act (PDF)

Find a Community Liaison

Liaison Roster HIEHCY 2024-2025 (Google Sheet)

Questionnaire to Determine Eligibility

Determine eligibility under the McKinney-Vento Act: Questionnare to Determine Eligibility – English (PDF). Translation are below.

For additional questions or concerns, please contact the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program at 808-348-0304 or 808-723-4192.

Enrollment Rights for Families in Unstable Housing Brochure

For parents and families under McKinney-Vento: Enrollment Rights for Families in Unstable Housing – English (PDF). Translations are below.

Free Bus Transportation

Students who qualify for assistance under the McKinney-Vento Act may be eligible for free bus transportation to and from school. Please work with the homeless concerns liaison at your school to determine eligibility, and to secure a bus pass if applicable.