If you are considering private school for your child, you might be interested to know what sorts of laws exist in North Carolina to regulate a private school. Private schools are given a lot of autonomy and leeway in North Carolina. Some of that autonomy is very beneficial for schools and at other times, parents need to be sure they are asking the right questions as they research schools.
Read on to find out about NC private school:
- Attendance requirements
- Testing requirements
- Curriculum
- Record keeping requirements
- Teacher certification
- Safety
Private School Attendance Requirements
A private school’s calendar is not dictated by the State of NC. However, State law does dictate that private schools must operate on a regular schedule for at least nine months of the school year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations. There is no reference to a specific number of days or hours per day that the school must operate. Additionally, attendance records must be kept by the private school.
Testing Requirements
The State of NC requires that private schools administer a nationally-recognized standardized test for all students in grades 3, 6, 9 and 11. Private schools must establish a minimum score which must be attained by the student in 11th grade in order to graduate from high school. Students receiving Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ vouchers must be administered a nationally standardized test every year in 3rd grade and above.
Curriculum Requirements
There are no requirements in the state law about what curriculum can or must be used in a private school. This choice is made solely by the private school. The freedom of curriculum is appealing to many parents but parents should also ensure that they understand the curriculum used by the private school and feel comfortable with its approach and scope.
Record Keeping
Student attendance records, immunization records, and standardized testing scores must be kept by private schools for at least one year.
NC Private School Teacher Certification
Teacher certification is not required for private schools. Additionally, professional development is not required by the State for private schools. Many parents do not realize that private school teachers do not have to be certified, meaning that a private school teacher does not have to have any formal training in education. The qualifications for private school teachers can vary widely so it’s important for parents to find out this information when researching individual schools.
Safety
Private schools must adhere to the State’s requirements for fire, safety, and sanitation and they are inspected regularly. There are no requirements for employee background checks at private schools therefore it’s very important for parents to ask private school administrators about their policies on background checks.
Resources
At Triangle School Consulting, our connection to the local community and to our schools means that we have firsthand knowledge of how schools are doing by assessing things such as school environment, leadership, teacher retention, and parental involvement. We have the insider knowledge to help you pick a great school for your child. Contact us today!
If you’d like to know more or want to read the specific laws, check out these resources: