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Not just a parent

A LEARNING COACH
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One of the key differences in the HTA model is the close relationship between family and school. All HTA students must have a Learning Coach. This is typically a parent or guardian, but can be another designated adult.

Learning Coaches play a vital role in the HTA model. You are an active, contributing member in your child’s education.

In elementary school, you work closely with your child’s teacher and help support students on their virtual days at home.

As students move into middle and high school, your role becomes more of a guiding one. You can help with organization, time management, meeting deadlines, and confidence building. You can also encourage your child to reach out to their teachers when they need more academic support.

You do not need to be a trained educator to be a Learning Coach. At the start of the school year, HTA provides training workshops to acquaint you with our education platforms, and how to participate in your student’s core progress, goals, and growth. 

Our parents enjoy being involved in their childrens education and the close relationships that result. As a Learning Coach, you have 24/7 access to your child’s grade book, but it goes further than that — you are involved in the decisions that are made in your child’s education.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

ELEMENTARY LEARNING COACH

• Be home and available. Supervise your student’s home-based curriculum daily. To support their learning and safety, students must not be left home alone all day.

• Commit to full-time enrollment. Understand that HTA is a public school requiring 178 days per year (five–six hours daily). Dual enrollment in other schools is not permitted.

• Provide transportation. Ensure your student gets to campus as needed, to community sites on Field Study days, and to all mandatory state testing sessions.

• Prioritize HTA curriculum. Reinforce and extend teacher lessons, discuss material, and check work. Supplemental outside work cannot replace assigned HTA coursework.

• Track academic progress. Submit student work by due dates, check grade books regularly, and understand that grade promotion is based on academic performance, not just attendance.

• Keep communication open. Check emails and HonuHub daily. Attend conferences, team discussions, and teacher meetings (M–F, 8 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.) either virtually or in person.

• Engage in training. Participate in Learning Coach virtual workshops to become proficient in HTA’s learning platforms and core values.

• Document growth. Input goals, growth, and progress on your student’s record every month.

• Set up for success. Secure a reliable internet service provider, create a positive work environment, and establish daily routines.

• Ensure full attendance. Guarantee your student actively participates in all required elements: on-campus classes, virtual sessions, support, and workshops.

• Be present on virtual days. Stay home with your student to ensure they are actively engaged and completing assigned work.

• Prep materials. Review pacing guides/syllabi and ensure all learning supplies are prepared in advance; pick up from campus as needed.

• Monitor engagement. Observe how your child interacts in their virtual classes. Help your student stay engaged in learning.

MIDDLE & HIGH LEARNING COACH

• Be home and available as needed for your student.

• Create a positive work environment and establish a weekly schedule and a daily routine.

• Create a quiet work space with a desk; not on the couch, in bed, or in front of the TV.

• Provide transportation to school as needed and to community sites on Field Study days.

• Keep an open line of communication with the school and your student’s advisor

• Keep your advisory teacher informed about your student.

• Check HonuHub daily. 

• Check and respond to emails daily.

• Attend student/teacher conferences.

• Participate in Learning Coach virtual training sessions.

• Enter core demonstrations for your student on a regular basis.

• Ensure your student is actively participating in virtual classes — camera on.

• Ensure your student is actively engaged on independent days.

• Help your student develop a schedule and organizational strategy.

• Check grades, assignments, and due dates in Canvas; make sure work is finished and submitted.

FROM THE EXPERTS

We asked our families what they enjoy about being a Learning Coach and their advice on what it takes to thrive in a blended learning model.

Tasha
I love how involved we are allowed to be. Teachers are very caring and helpful when it is needed. It gives me the opportunity to be a part of my child’s learning experiences. Parents do need to have flexibility when their child attends HTA. If you are like me, being a sports mom as well, you’ll have time management for everything.
Tasha Ann Tiqui-Guillermo, Waipahu middle school Learning Coach
Amanda
I love being a Learning Coach. There’s a life lesson to be taught in everyday interactions and it genuinely brings me joy to watch my kids achieve their dreams with grace, empathy, and a sense of purpose and community.
Amanda Mundon, Waipahu high school Learning Coach
Hallie
I love knowing what my kids are working on in school. It gives us so many more opportunities to bring those skills/strategies into our everyday lives. After a bit of a transition period, both children are so willing to have their mom teach them and work with them.
Hallie Sykes, Lāhainā elementary Learning Coach
Kelly
I enjoy seeing my child have those “lightbulb moments” and celebrating some of the little wins I normally wouldn’t be there for at a traditional school.
Kelly Voyer, Līhu‘e middle school Learning Coach
Daphne
While the flexibility is great, it’s important to consider your own schedule and how it can be adapted to meet any student needs (mostly for pbHTA). This may be the best option if there are extracurriculars that occur during traditional school hours.
Daphne Fox, Waipahu high school Learning Coach
Elise
Much more flexible than regular public school but requires more work. However compared to homeschooling on one’s own, it’s easier and more workable with less organization and time.
Elise Hopfe, Waipahu high school Learning Coach
Jennifer
Please be sure you understand the time commitment, particularly with the place-based program. If you have the time, then this is a wonderful school! The flexibility has been a real benefit for us, and the environment is so positive.
Jennifer Haden, Waipahu middle school Learning Coach
Laura
Keep in touch with what your children are doing, check in often, get to know the kids’ teachers and give lots of encouragement to your children when they are successful in doing work independently.
Laura Kimitch, Waipahu high school Learning Coach
Rosa
Find time to learn more about HTA and be familiar with the school’s model so parents can have informed decisions. Also, seek information on learning opportunities being provided by the school to parents and prospective coaches.
Rose Flores, Waipahu high school Learning Coach
Danyell
Parents need to be able to pick up and drop off kids during school hours, have a learning space with internet, and like to have their kids at home more often.
Danyell Hurdman, Lāhainā middle school Learning Coach
Jennifer
You have to have the free time to be available as needed, the awareness to step in and get involved when needed, and the patience to step away when appropriate.
Jennifer Haden, Waipahu middle school Learning Coach
Andrea
If a parent wants a predictable schedule, HTA may not be the best choice. ... The expectation on the parent/LC is that they are the main source of support/instruction while at home. And for the pbHTA program, there is even more required because ... the parent has to be more flexible with their schedule in order to get their child to and from the community days.
Andrea Cotter, Līhu‘e middle school Learning Coach
Sarah
If you have the time, and a desire to have this additional hands-on time with your child, HTA is a great option. Children learn to be accountable and the value of staying focused on their accomplishments. Parents need to be available for learning support for a substantial part of the week (or have someone available).
Sarah Verrastro, Lāhainā elementary school Learning Coach
L.M.
It can be a learning curve for all. If your family can be very flexible with schedule changes, with supporting your child at home, and with being open to online schooling, then HTA is wonderful option!
L.M., ‘Ewa Beach elementary school Learning Coach
Mallory
Parents of elementary kids in particular need good time management skills and to be available for any technology blunders etc. that come up. Also be available to help with activities and projects.
Mallory Banks, ‘Ewa Beach elementary & Waipahu middle school Learning Coach
Heide
A desire to be very involved with the child’s education is essential. Flexibility is important. Good troubleshooting skills are very helpful. A willingness to ask questions or seek help if needed — whether for tech issues or for a ride to the Field Study — is key. Be ready to network with teachers, staff, and other parents.
Heide Weber, Waipahu middle school Learning Coach
Jade
Parents need patience, and time for going over assignments and getting clarification (sometime a bit of relearning on my part, mostly math), a comfortable relationship with teachers to get help when we need it.
Jade Brown, Waipahu middle school Learning Coach
Lynelle
Parents in a blended learning model like HTA need to be supportive, patient, engaged, and communicative. While this model allows for a lot of independence, parents still play a key role in guiding their child’s educational journey — helping them stay on track, manage their time, and find success.
Lynelle McElhannon, Waipahu high school Learning Coach

LEARN MORE

Our admissions page includes all application and enrollment information, plus campus-specific details.

Visit your campus page to see our HTA students in action, learn more about the unique opportunities, weekly schedules, and more.

Got questions? We’ve gathered together all of our FAQs so you can dive deeper into the different aspects of HTA.