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 Hawaii's public education system.
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)
Archived Application Cycle Information
The information below is for previous charter school application cycles.
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 17, 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
Ka ʻElele: SPCSC's Weekly E-Newsletters
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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.