Starting a Charter School in Hawaii
The Commission is committed to authorizing high quality public charter schools throughout the state that will contribute meaningfully to Hawaiʻi's public education system.
At the December 5, 2023 General Business meeting, the Commission approved its Applications Policy. The policy begins the next cycle of the public charter school applications in school year 2024-2025.
The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission is pleased to announce that the 2024-25 Charter School Application Packet has been approved at the Commission's August 8, 2024 General Business Meeting and is now live! Applications are due by November 15, 2024, at 12:00 PM HST.
The Commission held an application orientation on September 4, 2024. If you missed the orientation or would like to review it, click here to watch the recording of the meeting.
2024-25 Application Cycle
The Hawai’i State Public Charter School Commission adopted the 2024-25 application process and schedule at the August 8, 2024 General Business Meeting and the full Application is available in the file below:
Fillable Templates:
Virtual Online Blended Questions (if applicable)
Third Party Providers Questions (if applicable)
Conversion Charter Schools (if applicable)
The deadline to submit is November 15, 2024, 12 p.m. HST.
The Commission held an application orientation on September 4, 2024. If you missed the orientation or would like to review it, click here to watch the recording of the meeting.
Click to view responses to 2024 Application Questions
Archived Application Cycle Information
The information below is for previous charter school application cycles.
2023 Applications Cycle Decisions
The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission denied the charter school application for Lima Noʻeau Charter School on October 26, 2023*. The submitted application and meeting material are linked below.
Lima Noʻeau Career Academy
-Attachments 33-62 VBL, TPP, and CCS
-June 22, 2023, Applications Committee Meeting Submittal (Exhibit 2. includes evaluation recommendation report)
-June 29, 2023, General Business Meeting Submittal (Exhibit 2. includes evaluation recommendation report)
-October 26, 2023 General Business Meeting Submittal (Exhibit 2. includes evaluation recommendation report)
*Lima Noʻeau Career Academy received an initial denial of its application at the Commission’s General Business Meeting on June 29 2023. Lima Noʻeau Career Academy appealed the decision, and the Board of Education issued the following instructions (Appeal 23-02) on September 22, 2023, 1) By November 3, 2023, the Commission shall reconsider LNCA’s charter application and decide, by vote, whether to approve or deny the charter application. 2) Any vote to deny shall include specific reasons for the denial with specific references to the applicable published approval criteria in the RFP. Any resulting written notification of denial, as required by HAR §8-505-5(c), shall contain the same reasons and references given in the affirmative vote to deny. 3) Any failure by the Commission to decide, by vote, to approve or deny LNCA’s charter application by November 3, 2023, shall be construed as approval of LNCA’s charter application. 4) These instructions shall not be construed to mean that the Appellant may change its charter application in any way nor that an evaluation team must reevaluate LNCA’s charter application. The Commission then met on October 26, 2023 and voted to deny the application. Lima Noʻeau Career Academy appealed that decision and the Board of Education issued their decision on January 29, 2024 (Appeal 23-03) and affirmed the decision of the Commission.
2023 Applications Cycle Update (June 15, 2023)
The Commission received one charter school application from Lima Noʻeau Career Academy by the application deadline on May 15, 2023 at 12:00PM HST via ShareFile. The Applicant Information Sheet may be viewed below.
-Lima Noʻeau Career Academy – Applicant Information Sheet
2023 Requests for Proposals Released
The Hawai’i State Public Charter School Commission adopted the 2023 application process and schedule at the February 9, 2023 General Business Meeting and the full Application is available in the file below:
2023 Application Packet
The Commission held an application orientation on February 24th via Zoom. If you missed the orientation or would like to review it, click here to watch the recording of the meeting.
Click to view the Application Orientation PowerPoint
Click to view asked questions about the application process.
2020 Applications Cycle Decisions
The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission approved the applications of two new charter schools at its June 23, 2022 general business meeting. The two newly approved schools are Namahana School and Kūlia Academy. The Commission denied the charter school applications for Lima Noʻeau Charter School and Maui Academy of Arts and Science. The submitted applications in alphabetical order:
Kulia Academy
- Kulia Academy Intent to Apply
- Kulia Academy Narrative Proposal
- Kulia Academy Application Information Sheet
- Kulia Academy Attachments A-Q
- Kulia Academy Attachments R-U
- Kulia Academy Attachments V-BB
- Kulia Academy Financial Workbook
Lima Noeʻau Charter School
- Lima Noeʻau Intent to Apply
- Lima Noeʻau Narrative Proposal
- Lima Noeʻau Application Information Sheet
- Lima Noeʻau Attachments
- Lima Noeʻau Financial Workbook
Maui Academy of Arts and Science
- MAAS Intent to Apply
- MAAS Narrative Proposal
- MAAS Application Information Sheet
- MAAS Attachments A-Q
- MAAS Attachments R-Z
- MAAS Start Up Plan
- MAAS Financial Workbook
Namahana School
- Namahana School Intent to Apply
- Namahana School Narrative Proposal
- Namahana School Application Information Sheet
- Namahana School Attachments A-P
- Namahana School Attachments Q-R
- Namahana School Attachments S-BB
- Namahana School Financial Workbook
2020 Applications Cycle Update (April 29, 2022)
The Commission received charter school applications from Kulia Academy, Lima No’eau Charter School, Maui Academy of Arts and Science, and Namahana Charter School by the application deadline, which was February 15, 2022 at 12:00PM HST via email. The Applicant Information Sheets for each application may be viewed below.
- Kulia Academy, link to Applicant Information Sheets
- Lima No’eau Charter School, link to Applicant Information Sheets
- Maui Academy of Arts and Science, link to Applicant Information Sheets
- Namahana Charter School, link to Applicant Information Sheets
Updated December 16, 2021
On December 16, 2021, the Commission approved the restart of the 2020 Applications Cycle and made clarifying amendments to the Request for Proposal (RFP).
2020 Amended RFP (.pdf)
- Exhibit 1 - Staffing Chart template (.docx)
- Exhibit 2 - Statement of Assurances Form (.docx)
- Exhibit 3 - Board Member Information Form (.docx)
- Exhibit 4 - Financial Plan Workbook (.xls)
- Exhibit 4a - Financial Plan Workbook (.xls)
- Exhibit 5 - Final Review Checklist (.docx)
Application Information Sheet (.docx)
Narrative Proposal Template for Startup Charter Schools (.docx)
Updated: May 6, 2020
Due to funding restrictions imposed by the Governor in Executive Memorandum 20-01, Amendments to Executive Memorandum 19-02, FY20 Budget Execution Policies and Instructions, the 2020 RFP for new charter schools has been suspended indefinitely. This action was taken at the April 23, 2020 Commission General Business Meeting.
2020 Request for Proposals Released
March 30, 2020
On March 30, 2020 the Commission released the 2020 Request for Proposals (RFP) for Start-up and Conversion schools.
2020 RFP (.pdf)
- Exhibit 1 - Staffing Chart template (.docx)
- Exhibit 2 - Statement of Assurances Form (.docx)
- Exhibit 3 - Board Member Information Form(.docx)
- Exhibit 4 - Financial Plan Workbook (.xls)
- Exhibit 4a - Financial Plan Workbook Year 0 (.xls)
- Exhibit 5 - Final Review Checklist (.docx)
Intent to Apply Packet (.docx)
Applicant Information Sheet (.docx)
Narrative Proposal Template for Start-up Charter Schools (.docx)
Narrative Proposal Template for Conversion Charter Schools (.docx)
2018 Application Cycle Decisions
For the 2018 applications cycle, the applications submitted for the proposed charter schools IMAG Academy and Kulia Academy were forwarded to an evaluation team for review. The Commission denied the charter school applications for IMAG Academy and Kulia Academy. Applications submitted appear below.
IMAG Academy
- IMAG 2018 Narrative Proposal
- 2018 Recommendation Report
- IMAG Attachment S. Financial Plan Workbook (Part 2)
- IMAG Attachments A-N
- IMAG Attachments O-Z
Kulia Academy
- 2018 Recommendation Report Form Kulia Academy
- 2018 Narrative Proposal
- Financial Plan Workbook (Part 1)
- Attachment S. Financial Plan Workbook (Part 2) year 0
- Kulia Attachments
2018 Application Update: Applications Undergoing Review and Public Hearing Scheduled (Posted May 30, 2018)
The charter school applications for IMAG Academy and Kulia Academy were forwarded to the evaluation team for a full review and evaluation on May 17, 2018. The IMAG Academy application is proposing a charter school with a focus on applied business, arts, science, and math to be located in Waipahu. The Kulia Academy application is proposing a charter school with a STEM focus to be located between Waipahu and Honolulu.
To allow the community an opportunity to provide feedback on the applications, the Commission will hold a public hearing on June 14, 2018 at the Pearl City Library: 1138 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City, HI 96782. An online participation option (WebEx) will not be available. Testimony must be submitted in-person or in written form only. Written testimony can be submitted to: commission.mail@spcsc.hawaii.gov. An agenda for the hearing will be posted to the Commission website on June 8, 2018.
For more information on the applications, the Applicant Information Sheets may be viewed below.
2018 Intent To Apply Update (posted March 27, 2018)
Five prospective charter school applicants, IMAG Academy, Maui Academy of Arts and Sciences, Na Hoʻomaka Hou, Quant Academy, and Thrive Academy have been deemed eligible to submit a charter application for the 2018 applications cycle. Applications are due to the Commission on May 11, 2018 at 12:00 Noon, Hawaii Standard Time. The Intent to Apply Packets of the prospective applicants may be viewed below.
2018 RFP Orientation (Posted March 19, 2018)
The Commission conducted a RFP orientation for prospective charter school applicants on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Commission office. The presentation from the orientation is available below.
2018 RFP Orientation Presentation
2018 Pre-RFP Orientation (February 22, 2018)
The Commission conducted a Pre-RFP orientation for prospective charter school applicants on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum. The Presentation from the orientation is available here.
2018 Applications Cycle Information (February 9, 2018)
The Commission will hold a Pre-RFP Orientation for prospective charter school applicants on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. The orientation will be held at the Hawaii State Art Museum in the Multipurpose Room from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. For more information and to register for the orientation, click here.
On February 8, 2018, the Commission approved the RFP timeline for the 2018 Applications Cycle.
2018 RFP
The 2018 Request for Proposals ("RFP") is available in the files below.
- Exhibit 1 - Enrollment Plan
- Exhibit 2 - Staffing Chart Template
- Exhibit 3 - Statement of Assurances Form
- Exhibit 4 - Board Member Information Form
- Exhibit 5 - Financial Plan Workbook
- Exhibit 5a - Financial Plan Workbook Year 0
- Exhibit 6 - Final Review Checklist
Narrative Proposal Template for Start-up Charter Schools
Narrative Proposal Template for Conversion Charter Schools
To submit an Intent to Apply Packet, please contact Lauren Endo by email at lauren.endo@spcsc.hawaii.gov by March 16, 2018 to receive access to the Commission’s Epicenter site. Intent to Apply Packets must be submitted through Epicenter by 12:00 Noon on March 19, 2018. No other forms of submissions of the Intent to Apply Packet will be accepted.
2016-2017 Application Cycle Decisions (October 30, 2017)
The Commission received three charter school applications for the 2016-2017 applications cycle. The Commission approved the application for DreamHouse Ewa Beach and denied the applications for IMAG Academy and North Shore Charter School.
The 2016-2017 applications, and staff recommendations to the Applications Committee and Commission are available below. The staff recommendations contain the Evaluation Team’s Recommendation Report along with any submitted response to the Recommendation Report from the applicant and any DOE comments that were submitted to the Commission.
DreamHouse ʻEwa Beach
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
IMAG Academy
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendations to Commission
North Shore Charter School
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
2016-2017 Applications Cycle Update (May 10, 2017)
The Commission received charter school applications from DreamHouse Ewa Beach, IMAG Academy, and North Shore Charter School by application deadline which was January 20, 2017 at 12:00 Noon, HST. The Applicant Information Sheets for each application may be viewed below.
2016-2017 Intent to Apply Update (December 2, 2016)
Four prospective charter school applicants, DreamHouse Ewa Beach, IMAG Academy, Kilohana Academy, and North Shore Charter School have been deemed eligible to submit a charter application for the 2016-2017 applications cycle. Applications are due to the Commission on January 20, 2017 at 12:00 Noon. The Intent to Apply Packets of the prospective applicants may be viewed below.
2016-2017 RFP Orientation (October 4, 2016)
The Commission conducted a RFP orientation for prospective charter school applicants on Friday, September 30, 2016 at the State Capitol in Conference Room 309 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The presentations and handouts from the orientation are available below.
Mission and Charge of the Commission
Handout - Questions and Ideas Every Charter School Applicant Should Consider
Request for Proposals Released (September 21, 2016)
On September 12, 2016, the Commission released the 2016-2017 Request for Proposals ("RFP"). The RFP and other relevant documents can be viewed here.
2015 Application Decision (October 4, 2016)
The Commission received seven charter school applications for the 2015-2016 applications cycle. The Commission approved the applications for Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School, Kamalani Academy and Kapolei Charter School by Goodwill Hawaii. The Commission denied the applications for Accelerated Learning Laboratory—Hawaii, DreamHouse Ewa Beach, IMAG Academy, and Kilohana Academy.
The 2015-2016 applications, and staff recommendations to the Applications Committee and Commission are available below. The staff recommendations contain the Evaluation Team’s Recommendation Report and the applicant response to the Recommendation Report.
Accelerated Learning Laboratory—Hawaiʻi
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments A-G
- Attachments H-I
- Attachments J-LL
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
DreamHouse ʻEwa Beach
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments A-T
- Attachments U-LL
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
IMAG Academy
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
Kamalani Academy
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments A-H
- Attachments G-LL
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
Kapolei Charter School by Goodwill
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
Kilohana Academy
- Narrative Proposal
- Attachments
- Financial Plan Workbook
- Staff Recommendation to Applications Committee
- Staff Recommendation to Commission
2015 RFP Orientation (September 18, 2015)
On Friday, September 25, 2015, the Commission conducted an RFP Orientation for prospective charter school applicants. Click here to view the recorded orientation.Here is a table of contents for navigating the recording:
- 0:00:02 - Opening and Introductions
- 0:03:41 - Mitch D'Olier Welcoming Remarks
- 0:08:20 - Pre-RFP Orientation Recap
- 0:13:28 - Eligibility and Applying
- 0:26:33 - Strategic Vision and Priority Needs
- 0:36:18 - Roles of Applicants, Evaluation Team, Commission, and Staff
- 0:42:03 - Q&A: Applying, Priorities, and Expectations
- 0:48:33 - Overview of the Application
- 0:53:04 - Academic Plan
- 1:07:21 - Organizational Plan
- 1:31:04 - Financial Plan
- 1:42:51 - Applicant Capacity
- 1:47:26 - Q&A: Components of the Application
- 1:59:55 - Evaluation and Evaluation Team
- 2:06:01 - Decision-Making Process
- 2:11:32 - Q&A: General
- 2:24:47 - Wrap-Up and Next Steps
The presentations and handouts from the orientation are available below.
- RFP Orientation Agenda
- Welcome Presentation
- Applying, Priorities, and Expectations Presentation
- Applying, Priorities, and Expectations Handout
- Components of the Application Presentation
- Components of the Application Handout
- Evaluation and Decision-Making Handout
2015-2016 Request for Proposals
The 2015-2016 Request for Proposals ("RFP") is available in the files below
- 2015-2016 RFP
- 2015-2016 Narrative Proposal Templates
- Exhibit 1 - Enrollment Plan
- Exhibit 2 - Staffing Chart Template
- Exhibit 3 - Statement of Assurances Form
- Exhibit 4 - Board Member Information Form
- Exhibit 5 - School Specific Measures Template
- Exhibit 6 - 2015-2016 Financial Plan Workbook
Request for Proposals Released (September 18, 2015)
On Friday, September 18, 2015, the Commission released the 2015-2016 Request for Proposals (RFP)
2015 Pre-RFP Orientation (September 15, 2015)
On Friday, September 11, 2015, the Commission conducted a Pre-RFP Orientation for prospective charter school applicants. Click here to view the recorded orientation. Here is the table of contents for navigating the recording:
- 0:00:04 - Welcome and Introductions
- 0:01:25 - Catherine Payne Welcoming Remarks
- 0:03:48 - The Big Picture: Chartering in Hawaii 2015
- 0:29:09 - Hawaii's Legal Framework for Charter Schooling
- 0:38:20 - Context for High Expectations
- 0:44:32 - Q&A: Overview of Chartering
- 0:55:26 - State Funding
- 0:58:48 - Federal Funding
- 1:11:48 - Facilities and Other Challenges
- 1:20:45 - Q&A: The Funding Picture
- 1:35:18 - Application Timeline
- 1:46:30 - Preview of 2015 Request for Proposals
- 1:52:48 - Overview of the Start-Up Process
- 2:01:30 - Q&A: 2015-2016 Application Cycle
- 2:05:39 - Other Insights
- 2:44:15 - Q&A: General
- 2:49:42 - Next Steps
The presentations and handouts from the orientation are available below
- Pre-RFP Orientation Agenda
- Welcome Presentation
- Overview of Chartering Presentation
- Overview of Chartering Handout
- The Funding Picture Presentation
- The Funding Picture Handout
- The 2015-2016 Application Cycle Presentation
- The 2015-2016 Applications Cycle Handout
- Other Insights Presentation
2013 Application Cycle Results (May 21, 2014)
Of the six charter applications eligible for evaluation during the 2013 application cycle, the Commission approved one, Kaʻu Learning Academy (KLA). The Commission denied the applications for Hawaii Arts Repertoire & Tech (HART), iLEAD Kauai Charter School, IMAG Academy, Montessori of Oʻahu Public Charter School, and North Shore Middle School.
The application (including the Financial Plan Workbook), the Evaluation Team Recommendation Report, and submittals to the Applications Committee and Commission are available below for each of the aforementioned applicants.
Kaʻu Learning Academy (KLA)
Evaluation Team Recommendation Report
The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission announces that the Pre-K application process is currently under review. The Commission plans to share the updated process and a tentative timeline at the October 31, 2024 Application Committee meeting, with final approval expected at the November 14, 2024 General Business Meeting. If approved, Pre-K applications will be posted by November 20, 2024, with a submission deadline of January 20, 2025, 12:00 PM HST.
For reference, the current K-12 application includes several elements comparable to the Pre-K application under review.
Thank you for your interest, and please feel free to reach out to applications@spcsc.hawaii.gov with any questions.
(September 2024) The PRE-K ONLY Charter School Application Cycle is currently CLOSED. Please sign up here to receive updates on when the next cycle opens.
2023 Pre-K Only Charter School Applications Cycle Decision
(January 24, 2024) The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission approved the application of one new Pre-K-only charter school at its January 11, 2024, general business meeting. The newly approved prekindergarten-only charter school is Parents And Children Together (PACT) Parkway Villages Preschool in Kapolei.
2023 Pre-K Only Charter School Applications Cycle Update
(Sept. 18, 2023) The Commission received one Pre-K Only charter school application from Parents and Children Together (PACT) Parkway Villages Preschool in Kapolei, by the application deadline of September 15, 2023 at 12:00PM HST. The Applicant Information Sheet may be viewed below.
2023 Pre-K Only Charter School Application Update
(Sept. 15, 2023) The deadline for submitting Pre-K-only charter school applications was September 15, 2023. Please note that the application window is now closed. Stay tuned for further updates and opportunities in the future. If you have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at applications@spcsc.hawaii.gov.
(July 13, 2023) - The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission is now accepting applications for Pre-K-only Charter Schools who have an established early learning program.
These stand alone pre-K programs must follow Section 302D-39 Hawaii Revised Statutes serving three- and four-year-old students.
The Commission is committed to authorizing high quality public prekindergarten-only charter schools throughout the state that will contribute meaningfully to Hawaii's public early learning system.
The Hawai’i State Public Charter School Commission adopted the public prekindergarten-only charter school 2023 application process at the May 25, 2023 General Business Meeting and the full Application is available in the file below:
The 2023 Application Packet can be found here
Subscribe to the Applications Listserv here
Please contact Applications at applications@spcsc.hawaii.gov to receive a ShareFile account for your application, or if you have any questions or concerns.
The Commission held an application orientation on July 18, 2023, 1:00 p.m. To watch the orientation recording, click here. Here is a link to the slideshow.
Please click here for the Frequently Asked Questions regarding the 2023 Pre-K only Charter School Application (posted on September 12, 2023).
Ka ʻElele: SPCSC's Weekly E-Newsletters
Sign up to receive Ka ʻElele, the official e-newsletter of the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission/ʻAha Kula Hoʻāmana. Ka ʻElele covers a multitude of topics and issues relevant to Hawaii's public charter schools.
Sign up to receive Ka ʻElele, the official e-newsletter of the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission/ʻAha Kula Hoʻāmana. Ka ʻElele covers a multitude of topics and issues relevant to Hawaii's public charter schools.