All Charter Schools Are Encouraged to Attain Accreditation

Accreditation is seen as validating a school's academic program. Also the accreditation process, th In order to be accredited, a school must submit to a rigorous examination by a recognized accreditating organization.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is a recognized accrediting authority for Hawai'i's schools. 

The following charter schools in Hawai'i have attained WASC accreditation as of July 2006:

Start-up Charters

• Kihei Public Charter School
• Myron B. Thompson Academy (MBTA) 
• West Hawai'i Explorations Academy (WHEA) 

Conversion Charters

• Wai'alae Elementary

For start-up charter schools there is an additional incentive to attaining acreditation. Act 298 (2006 session) ties the number of new start-up charter schools in Hawai'i to the number of exisitng start-up charter schools that receive accreditation.

• HRS 302B-4 Limits on charter schools. Beginning July 2007, the board, with the recommendation of the panel, may authorize one new start-up charter school for each existing start-up charter school that has received a three-year or longer accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or a comparable accreditation authority as determined by the panel, or for each start-up charter school whose charter is revoked. The total number of conversion charter schools authorized by the board, with the recommendation of the panel, shall not exceed twenty-five.

HI DOE Reference

This guide covers the revised accreditation and school improvement procedures that correspond to the new HI DOE Strategic Plan and School Strategic Plan. Also contains many check off lists for the WASC self-study and site visit processes that may be helpful to any school working through the accreditation process.

Focus on Learning: A Joint WASC and HI DOE Process Guide for 2005-06 Pilot
Hi DOE, July 27, 2005