children of public school teachers (Volcano: apartment, renting, school district)

[i <3 math]

In Louisiana I can send my children to any school within the district in which I am teaching, regardless of where I live. Does anyone know if the same is true in Hawaii? There appear to be a few schools worth sending my child to, but those are probably the first teaching vacancies filled.

Thanks!

[grizz1y]

Aloha!
According to state law (Hawaii Revised Statutes §302A-1143 and Hawaii Administrative Rule chapter 8-13) school-aged children are required to attend the school in the area in which they reside, unless permitted to attend another school through a geographic exception.

Here's the Hawaii State Department of Education site showing the regional "complex-areas"
Find mySchool on O'ahu

And the site for Geographic Exception:
Geographic Exceptions

i've no personal exerience with the Geographic Exception process, but believe it is a somewhat common request. Good luck!

[mdand3boys]

Hawaii is one school district.
A "complex area" is comprised of a series of elementary schools that feed into a high school.
The only way to send your child to a different school is if the complex is "failing" according to the no child left behind act.
Even so, that requires paperwork, etc.

I would look into getting your child into a charter school, however, since entry is based upon lottery and the lottery was done months ago, your chances for that are almost zero for the next school year.

[i <3 math]

Thanks everyone. It looks as if our house/apartment hunting will need to be restricted to the areas with better schools since charter schools are finished with their lotteries. Wonderful links, grizz1y!

[CyberCity]

Just because a school in Hawaii is a charter school, does not mean it is a school that excels in academics. I can name three right off the bat that are not all that grand. Matter of fact, we did private middle school for one of our children instead of sending that child to a low performing charter middle school.

Of course, some charters are higher performing schools. It comes down to checking into the school, be it charter or not, before you decide if it is a good "fit" for your children.

[LMMKAT]

GEs can be difficult to get in certain complexes. While routinely requested, I don't believe you can say they are routinely granted. I would not count on it

[Nalu]

I tried 2 years to get A GE for my son at Desilva and Haaheo El. He didn't get in. They had a HUGE number of kids trying to get in. We lucked out and got into Volcano Charter school and couldn't be happier. If you can't get in a good charter, I would plan on renting in a good district. Desilva is tops by far, and then Haheo.