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Online School for Hilo Families | Forest Trail Academy
Your family is rooted in one of Hawaii’s most unique communities — a Big Island hub that’s a world away from Honolulu, surrounded by rainforest, ocean, and the kind of life that doesn’t fit a standard school calendar. Whether you’re a researcher posted near Mauna Kea Observatory, a family farming the Puna district, or working in Hilo’s tourism and hospitality industry, your child’s education needs to work around real Big Island life — not the other way around. Forest Trail Academy gives Hilo families a fully accredited K-12 online school that goes wherever your life takes you.
Why Hilo Families Choose FTA
Hilo sits at the heart of Hawaii Island, but the Big Island’s sheer size means many families are far from the nearest traditional school. Families in remote Puna, rural Kona, and the areas surrounding Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have long struggled with long drives and inconsistent access. FTA solves that. Your student logs in from home — or anywhere with an internet connection — and works through a structured, self-paced curriculum that doesn’t stop when the weather turns or the road floods after a volcanic event. The flexibility isn’t a workaround; it’s the design.
Hilo’s connection to UH Hilo and the international research community around Mauna Kea Observatory means some families are here for a year or two before moving on — international scientists, visiting faculty, and research staff who need a school that travels with them. Agricultural families planting in Ka’u or harvesting macadamia near Mountain View need schooling that bends around harvest season. Tourism workers with rotating shifts at hotels along the Hamakua Coast need a schedule that doesn’t demand 8 a.m. attendance every day. FTA’s open enrollment and asynchronous coursework fits all of it — no waiting for September, no petitioning for transfers, no falling behind when life on the Big Island changes.
What You Get
- Cognia Accreditation: Your FTA diploma is accepted by all universities near Hilo and nationwide.
- No Fixed Class Times: Study before training, after your shift, on weekends.
- Open Enrollment: Start any week — no waiting for September.
- Same School Through Every Change: Military PCS, relocations, and life changes don’t interrupt enrollment.
Getting Started from Hilo
- Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online
- Submit transcripts from your Hilo-area school
- Start coursework within days — no waiting
Questions?
Is FTA’s diploma recognized near Hilo?
Yes — our Cognia-accredited diploma is accepted by all Hawaii universities and 1,000+ colleges nationally.
Can we enroll mid-year from Hilo?
Yes — open enrollment, start any week.
Part of the Hawaii FTA Community
Hilo families are part of FTA’s larger Hawaii community. Learn more about FTA for all Hawaii students →
Forest Trail Academy | 2101 Vista Parkway, Suite 226, West Palm Beach, FL 33411 | 800-890-6269
FTA Programs Available to You
Forest Trail Academy offers the complete K-12 curriculum to students in your area. All programs are 100% online, self-paced, and open for enrollment year-round.
Elementary School (Kindergarten-Grade 5)
Accredited elementary curriculum covering reading, math, science, and social studies. Students progress at their own pace with certified teacher support.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
FTA middle school prepares students for high school with rigorous core subjects and academic counseling on a flexible schedule.
High School (Grades 9-12)
Our Cognia-accredited high school diploma program includes all graduation requirements plus AP courses and college-prep guidance. Recognized by 1,000+ universities worldwide.
Homeschool Programs
FTA homeschool support gives families the academic structure, certified teachers, and official transcripts that colleges require.
Tuition and Enrollment
Tuition from $255.75/month. Open enrollment year-round. Contact admissions to start today.
