Applications for high-quality, free prekindergarten programs are now being accepted by 11 public charter schools statewide.
Hawaiʻi Island
Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Public Charter School in Hilo, phone (808) 961-0470
Ke Kula ‘o Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u Iki Laboratory Public Charter School in Keaʻau, and Waimea, phone (808) 982-4260
Kua o ka Lā in Nānāwale and Hilo, phone (808) 981-5866
Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School in Mountain View, phone (808) 968-2318
Volcano School of Arts & Sciences in Volcano, phone (808) 985-9800
Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School in Laupāhoehoe, phone (808) 962-2200
Molokaʻi
Kualapu‘u Charter School on Molokaʻi, phone (808) 567-6900
Oʻahu
Kamaile Academy Public Charter School in Waiʻanae, phone (808) 697-7110
Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School in Kāneohe, phone (808) 235-9175
Waiʻalae Elementary Public Charter School in Waiʻalae, phone (808) 733-4880
Ke Kula ‘o Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u Iki Laboratory Public Charter School in Nānākuli, phone (808) 982-4260
Kauaʻi
Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha, phone (808) 337-1289
To be eligible, children must be three- or four-years-old on or by July 31, 2022. All interested families are encouraged to apply directly with the school. The Hawai‘i State Legislature appropriated funding to sustain 360 prekindergarten slots in charter schools through the State Public Charter School Early Learning program for School Year 2022-2023.
Early Learning Program Director Deanne Goya said, “Evidence shows that high quality preschool can lay the foundation for a child’s success in school and life. Social emotional learning is a priority and essential for a child’s development. And while classrooms look a little different due to COVID-19 safety measures, our teachers and staff are here to enrich your keiki’s life while working extra hard to keep them safe and healthy.”
These eleven charter schools previously participated in the rigorous federal Preschool Development Grant which sunset. Participation in this grant allowed Hawai‘i to continue to build on statewide efforts to support Hawai‘i’s early childhood system.
By replicating the high-quality prekindergarten classrooms already operating on Hawaiʻi DOE campuses and implementing them in charter schools, we are ensuring a comprehensive approach to a high-quality prekindergarten that will benefit more keiki in Hawaiʻi.