Nonpublic Schools and Nonpublic Agencies

Nonpublic Schools

• Guidance for Local Educational Agency Onsite Visit to Nonpublic Schools (Added 30-Jun-2020)
  Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 1172, effective January 1, 2020, the California Department of Education (CDE) is required to create and publish criteria for reporting onsite visit findings resulting from monitoring visits to nonpublic schools, on or before June 30, 2020.
• Seeds of Partnership Webinars on Senate Bill 373: Special Education and Nonpublic Schools
  On May 21, 2026, the Seeds of Partnership conducted two informational webinars regarding the new requirements of nonpublic schools, LEAs, and the CDE, as stated in Senate Bill 373.
• Nonpublic Schools Certification Data Worksheet (XLSX; Updated 08-July-2026)
  The Nonpublic Schools and Agencies (NPSs) spreadsheet contains certification information regarding all of the NPSs currently certified by the California Department of Education. This spreadsheet is updated monthly.
• Nonpublic Schools Unit Interview Tool for Out-of-state Nonpublic Schools (Coming Soon)
  Per Education Code (EC) 56366.1(k)(2), the CDE shall develop an interview tool to be used for interviews with pupils to assess the pupil’s perceptions of the nonpublic school and the services provided, discuss progress, and address any concerns. The interview tool shall require interviews to include, at minimum, the pupil’s perceptions of being treated with respect and dignity and of whether the staff maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Per EC 56366.1(k)(2), the tool shall be made available to LEAs upon request to conduct interviews.
  
• Nonpublic Schools Certification Applications
  New process for submitting Nonpublic School Certification Applications.
• New or Renewal NPS Application
  General information for completing the NPS application documents for certification or recertification.
• Nonpublic Schools Out-of-State Placement (Updated 15-May-2025)
  Reporting requirements for out-of-state nonpublic school placement.
• Nonpublic Schools Legal Advisory
  Waivers and Retroactive Reimbursement to Parents who have made Unilateral Placements in an NPS prior to July 1, 1998, or, on or after July 1, 1998.
  • For waiver requests under the jurisdiction of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as referenced above, please see the Submit a Waiver Request web page for more information, and the Attachment for Waivers web page regarding required attachments.

Nonpublic Agencies

• Nonpublic Agencies Certification Data Worksheet (XLSX; Updated 02-Apr-2026)
  The Nonpublic Agencies (NPAs) spreadsheet contains certification information regarding all of the NPAs currently certified by the California Department of Education. This spreadsheet is updated quarterly.
• Nonpublic Agencies Certification Applications
  New process for submitting Nonpublic Agency Certification Applications.
• New or Renewal NPA Certification Applications
  General information for completing the NPA application documents for certification or recertification.
  
• Out-of-State Nonpublic Agency Certification Requirements (Posted 19-Mar-2019)
  March 15, 2019, letter to Special Education Directors and Select Nonpublic Agency Administrators
• Nonpublic Agencies Out-of-State Placement (Updated 29-Jun-2017)
  Reporting requirements for out-of-state Nonpublic Agency placement.
• Nonpublic Agencies Legal Advisory
  Waivers and Retroactive Reimbursement to Parents who have made Unilateral Placements in an NPA prior to July 1, 1998 or, on or after July 1, 1998.
  • For waiver requests under the jurisdiction of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as referenced above, please see the Submit a Waiver Request web page for more information, and the Attachment for Waivers web page regarding required attachments.