Adult Education

The Adult Education Program offers a variety of courses for adult learners including basic education, English literacy and civics. It also offers degrees including the Hawaii Adult Community School Diploma through GED or HiSET and Workforce Development Diploma (WDD) Program. The adult schools also coordinate the Department's substitute teacher course.

Adult Education Program

The Department's program includes a variety of courses for adult learners, with integrated programs and services in the areas of basic education, Hawaii adult community school diploma, family literacy, citizenship, workforce education and life enhancement.​​ These courses are run out of the Department's ten (10) Community Schools for Adults (CSAs) sites. 

Please contact the school nearest you (see below) for information. 

Transcript and Verification Re​​quests

All transcript and verification requests should be sent to the school the individual attended. (See below for individual CSAs contact information.)

For Saint Louis School inquiries, please call their registrar directly at 808-739-4729​. 

Enrolling

The two primary CSA campuses are at McKinley and Waipahu high schools, with eight satellite sites. 

  • ​Contact the school nearest you for class schedules and courses. 
  • For transcripts and education verification requests, contact the school attended from the list below.​​

School Address Phone Fax

McKinley Community School (MCSA)
634 Pensacola Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
808-594-0540 808-594-0544

Waipahu Community School (WCSA)94-521 Farrington Highway
Waipahu, HI 96797

808-307-9677

808-675-0259


Diploma Programs

The Community School for Adults (CSA) offers adult learners who have not graduated with a high school diploma, the option to pursue obtaining a High School Equivalency Credential and/or Hawaii Adult Community School Diploma. The CSAs offer two recognized High School Equivalency Tests. General Educational Development (GED) and the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET). Both are aligned to national Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS).

General Educational Development (GED)

The GED test provides a valid means of measuring the educational achievement of adults who have not graduated high school and of comparing their academic competence with that of high school graduates. Individuals who successfully complete the test battery will receive an official GED transcript and may qualify for the Hawaii Adult Community School Diploma. The diploma may provide graduates the opportunity to enter the military service, gain college admission, increase income, increase job qualifications or assist in obtaining work advancement.​

High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)

The purpose of the HiSET is to certify a candidate’s attainment of academic knowledge and skills equivalent to those of a high school graduate. HiSET scores will identify those candidates who have performed at a level consistent with high school equivalency. Individuals who successfully complete the test battery will receive an official HiSET transcript and may qualify for the Hawaii Adult Community School Diploma. The diploma may provide graduates the opportunity to enter the military service, gain college admission, increase income, increase job qualifications or assist in obtaining work advancement.

HIDOE's Community Schools for Adults are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The goal of the GED and HiSET Programs is to ensure that graduates who earn a High School Equivalency Credential and/or Hawaii Adult Community School Diploma are career ready and prepared for post-secondary education.

Workforce Development Certificate (WDC) Program

As a key component of the Hawaii Department of Education's Hawaii Workforce Pathway System, the Community School for Adults continue to increase alignment, integration, and consistent coordination to ensure a clear and coherent path for students. In collaboration with the Workforce Development Council, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, employers, and the community colleges, the Workforce Development Certificate Program was initiated.  

The Workforce Development Certificate (WDC) Program was designed to meet the needs of those students entering the workforce with job entry that do not require a high school certificate. The WDC Program will prepare students with the necessary basic education and access to job training programs. To be eligible, a student must be 18 years and older or 16 to 17 year old students who are released from school through the 4140 process. All enrolled students who complete the requirements of the program will earn a Workforce Development Certificate from their respective community school. Contact McKinley Community School for Adults or Waipahu Community School for Adults for enrollment processing information. More information is also posted at their websites: mcsahawaii.org  and wcsahawaii.org.

Substitute Teacher Course

The Department's CSAs coordinate the in-person substitute teacher course. (Online courses may also be offered through MCSA-Maui Campus and select WCSA campuses. Contact individual WCSA campuses to inquire.) Please review the information on our Substitute Teaching page for more information on how to become a substitute teacher. 

Community School for Adults academic and financial plan summary

Honolulu-Kauai-Maui-Moanalua

Prior financial plans: 2022-23 | 2019-20 | 2020-21

Hawaii-Leeward-Wahiawa-Windward

Prior financial plans: 2022-23 | 2019-20 | 2020-21

Adult and Community Education Advisory Council (ACEAC)

The State of Hawaii legislature established the Hawaii Adult Education Act of 1945, legally mandating responsibility to the State of Hawaii Department of Education for providing increased educational opportunities for the people of Hawaii. In 1988, the Hawaii Legislature broadened the scope of adult education to include community education.

Part1 Chapter 302A of the Hawaii Revised Statutes states:

[§302A-432] Adult and community education authorized. To provide increased opportunity for the people of Hawaii, the department shall establish and regulate a program of adult and community education of less than college grade. The department shall provide public school buildings and other facilities, and use public school equipment under conditions determined by the department, when the equipment is needed, for adult and community education programs. [L 1996, c 89, pt of §2]

State law provides that the Board of Education will be advised on its adult and community education programs by a volunteer advisory council appointed by the board. Members accepting appointment to this Council are expected to attend a minimum of four (4) quarterly meetings per year and work with the two Community Schools or on a committee as assigned by the Chair of the advisory council. These four meetings will be held during normal working hours, and members are expected to secure whatever approval necessary from their employers to be able to attend these day-long meetings.

The Adult and Community Education Advisory Council was established by Section 302A of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

[§302A-434] Advisory council for adult and community education.  The board shall appoint an advisory council for adult and community education composed of fifteen or more representatives of industry, labor, civic organizations, and education.  Appointments shall be for a term of two years with reappointments optional but not to exceed a total of six years on the advisory council. [L 1996, c 89, pt of §2]

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