October 4 bulletin - Enrollment reporting
September 5 bulletin - Expiration of provisional approval, enrollment reporting
August 10 bulletin - Update information, closing schools, Certificates of Approval
July 18 bulletin - Update information, weapons reporting, August approvals
June 30 bulletin - June Approvals
June 6 special message - Weapons Reporting
Private Schools
Highlights
A private school is a non-public school that conducts a program of kindergarten and at least one grade, or a program of any or all grades one through twelve. Approximately five hundred private schools operate in Washington, serving over 80,000 students.
Washington private schools are approved annually by the State Board of Education. Approval indicates the school has met the minimum requirements to insure the health and safety of students, and that the school offers a sufficient program of basic education to meet usual graduation requirements. Approval by the Board does not carry with it an endorsement of the school or its programs. Note: The State Board office does not oversee the issuance of educator licenses or certificates, General Educational Development (GED) test results or high school transcripts. The Board does not receive copies of any student records.
Below you will find general information concerning:
- Private School Enrollment Data
- Lists of Approved Private Schools
- Online-Only Private Schools
- Information and Resources
- How to Update Private School Information
- Private School Laws
More information for schools:
Private School Enrollment
The Washington State Board of Education annually collects private school enrollment data. Participation in enrollment reporting is not required for private school approval, although enrollment data may be used to verify information used in the approval process. Enrollment data is used in distribution of federal funds.
**Private schools are encouraged to submit enrollment information. Enrollment numbers are self-reported and are not verified by the State Board. However, the State Board is continually working to improve the process and seeks to report private school enrollment as accurately as possible. In the 2019-2020 school year, only 88 percent of approved private school reported enrollment.
Private Schools |
School Year |
PreK |
KG |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
Total |
505 Schools |
2018-19 | 9492 | 7185 | 6316 | 5981 | 6113 | 5951 | 6079 | 6204 | 5914 | 5847 | 4843 | 4789 | 4441 | 4467 | 74130 |
487 Schools |
2019-20 |
8338 |
6031 |
5457 |
5165 |
5157 |
5086 |
5050 |
5596 |
5432 |
5146 |
4493 |
4413 |
4053 |
4191 |
65270** |
449 Schools |
2020-21 |
7209 |
6466 |
5625 |
5599 |
5426 |
5245 |
5427 |
5564 |
5396 |
5473 |
4555 |
4548 |
4254 |
4069 |
67647 |
495 Schools |
2021-22 |
10340 |
7976 |
7209 |
6635 |
6369 |
6230 |
6135 |
6531 |
6078 |
6012 |
5233 |
4668 |
4416 |
4253 |
77718 |
538 Schools |
2022-23 |
12437 |
8099 |
7542 |
7211 |
6684 |
6634 |
6624 |
6742 |
6638 |
6206 |
5367 |
5084 |
4345 |
4259 |
81959 |
Enrollment Data by School:
Lists of Approved Private Schools
Note that approval by the State Board of Education is mandatory for private schools in Washington, while accreditation is voluntary. Accreditation is a well-defined process to grant public recognition to educational institutions that meet specific external standards of quality by an external accrediting organization. State law does not require public or private schools in Washington to be accredited.
To check the approval status of a school not listed under June approvals, please see the application status list posted on the Private School Approval | SBE (wa.gov) page.
Approved Private Schools
Approval Certificates
Online-Only Private Schools
Per RCW 28A.195.090, an approved Washington private school may have an online program. A completely online school, or a school with physical facilities located only outside of the state, may not be an approved Washington private school. Washington private school law assumes a physical facility in the state of Washington where students are enrolled and regularly attend (RCW 28A.195.010(6)).
Annual Reporting Requirements
Private schools are required to submit reports each year to comply with Washington state law. Two reports are required by the Washington State Board of Education:
- Enrollment Reporting. The official count day for private school enrollment is typically on or around October 1, and reports are due in mid-November.
- Private School Approval. All private schools are approved annually each spring by the State Board of Education.
- Several other reports are required by separate state agencies, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health.
How to Update Private School Information
Alerting the State Board of Education of changes at your school ensures continuity of communication from state agencies. Please use the Private School Change of Information Form if your Head of School, location, or additional contact has changed since you submitted your previous year’s Private School Approval Application.
Private schools that are closing must complete a closure form. Please ensure that records from the closing private school are transferred to a reliable person or entity for storage and that students and parents/guardians understand how to request their records.
Information Links and Resources
Depending on the topic, various offices in different state agencies may be the most appropriate to provide information and support to private schools. The following is a list of topics with links to resources within state agencies, as well as with other organizations that work with private schools:
Resources
- Accreditation
- Private School Frequently Asked Questions
- Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS)
- The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Clock Hour Provider Information—Certification Office
- Educational Data Systems (EDS) (access and user role assignment)
- Equity and Civil Rights
- Federal Programs—Title and Federal Accountability Offices
- Fingerprints—Office of Professional Practices
- Free or Reduced Lunch Program—Office of Child Nutrition
- Special Education—Special Education Office | Child Find
- Teacher Certification—Certification Office
The Washington State Department of Health
- Facility Health Guidelines
- School and Child Care Immunizations