U.S. Army Release
This article is part of a series aimed at improving the PCS experience. Find other information about PCSing to or from Hawaii by searching #SummerSurgeHI on our website or social media sites.
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii (June 24, 2021) -- Moving to Hawaii with children? Dependent children can attend public, private or charter schools in Hawaii. They can also be homeschooled.
With certain exceptions, all children between the ages of five and 18 must attend school. Kindergarten requires that a child must turn five years old before July 31 of the school year to attend.
The Hawaii Public School System falls under one school district and is managed by the Hawaii State Board of Education. There are no Department of Defense schools in Hawaii.
For more information on private and charter schools, visit https://www.hais.us/. For more inofrmaiton on homeschooling, visit https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/EnrollingInSchool/Choosingaschool/Pages/Homeschooling-FAQs.aspx.
Students must attend the school that serves the geographic area where they reside, unless they have an approved geographic exception form.
For more information about public schools in Hawaii, visit https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/.
Have questions about your child's education? The School Support Services' liaison officers can help. Call (808) 655-8326 for more information.
School Registration
Need to register your keiki, or child(ren) for school? The 2021-2022 school year starts Aug. 3. Regisration can be done in person at the school, via mail or online. Visit https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ParentsAndStudents/EnrollingInSchool/HowToEnroll/Pages/Caution-home.aspx for more information.
Public school registration requires:
- Original Birth Certificate (baptismal records or a passport is accepted)
- Certificate of Release and Proficiency from child’s last school
- Special Needs students should bring in all Individualized Education Plan documentation
- Proof of Residency (housing papers, utility bill, etc.)
- Up-to-date shot records
- Tuberculosis Skin Clearance (less than 1 year old)
- Physical (less than 1 year old)
Other Considerations
Hawaii public schools charge a fee for school bus services. Plan to budget for the school bus. Students with free lunch are eligible for free bus services.
2021 Flat Rates for Student Bus Passes
Annual Round Trip: $270
Annual One Way: $135
Quarterly Round Trip: $72
Quarterly One Way: $36
One-way bus coupons are sold by sheets of 10 at $10 per sheet (cash only). Passes are non-refundable and non-transferrable.