The Hawaii Council of Private Schools (HCPS) is the licensing body for all private schools in the State of Hawaii (with the exception of the Hawaii Catholic Schools). The organization’s membership consists of all licensed private schools in the state of Hawaii. The affairs of HCPS are managed by the HCPS Board of Directors.

The purpose of the Hawaii Council of Private Schools is to:

• License Hawaii private schools that offer Kindergarten through grade 12 and meet the HCPS standards
• Serve as a liaison between the Hawaii Department of Education and all HCPS member institutions on issues related to instructional quality and accountability in private schools
• Assist HCPS member schools in gaining recognition of licensure from colleges, universities and other educational institutions to which their students might apply after graduation
• Promote excellence in private school education and foster cooperation within the private school community and among private and public schools and the various branches of state and local government
• Collaborate with the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools on private school matters of mutual interest and concern

The organization and structure of the Council and its Board are described in the bylaws of the Council. For more information on the standards and procedures of the Council for the approval of private schools and the granting of school licenses and re-licensing, please see HCPS Standards & Procedures, or contact Roberta Bishop, HCPS Executive Director.