The commitment to a quality education for all of Hawaii's children began more than 160 years ago, when Hawaii's great monarch King Kamehameha III established a statewide public school system. Since that time, the state has continued the journey in pursuit of excellence and equity in education.
State standards set the course, while students, families and the community fill the sails with expectation as we voyage with the treasure of bright, young minds ready to lead the way to the future. State spending is a little below the national average, but schools are making the most out of what can be provided.
In order to graduate from high school, the following standards have been implemented and must be followed:
- Four credits of English
- Four credits of social studies
- Three credits of mathematics
- Three credits of science
- One credit of Physical Education
- 0.5 credit of health
- 0.5 credit of guidance
- Six credits of electives
The purpose of these high school graduation requirements is to establish rigorous standards of learning that will enable all public school students to meet the vision of a Hawaii public school graduate. All Hawaii public school graduates will realize their individual goals and aspirations and possess the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to contribute positively and compete in a global society. They will also exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and pursue post-secondary education and/or careers without need for remediation.
