WASHINGTON
Day School
ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
WAC 180.55.017
Washington state private schools must be accredited by recognized accrediting bodies or through Washington State Board of Education recognized accrediting bodies. The annual approval process is simpler for accredited schools than non accredited schools as the status of accreditation attests that the school has already met some of the requirements for approval.
CURRICULUM
WAC 180-90-112(4), WAC 180-90-160(1)(a), WAC 180-90-160(1)(b), WAC 180-90-160 (1)(g)
The minimum school year must be no less that 180 school days or the equivalent of a school-wide annual average total instructional hour offering of 1000 hours for students enrolled in grades one through 12 and at least 450 hours for students enrolled in kindergarten. Each day students must have the opportunity to be engaged in an educational activity planned by and under the direction of the staff. The school’s curriculum must include instruction in occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of appreciation of art and music to meet the Washington State Board of Education graduation requirements.
ASSESSMENT
RCW 28A.225.010(4), RCW 28A.225.020, RCW 28A.225.220, RCW 28A.665.070
Washington state private school students are exempt from state testing. However, some private schools may choose to implement assessments. Schools have the choice between annually administering a standardized achievement test approved by the state board of administration or conducting and recording an annual assessment of students academic progress. The standardized test results or annual academic progress assessment must be made a part of the students permanent record.
ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
WAC 180-90-112(5)(a-d), WAC 180-90- 160(1)(c), WAC 180-90-160(1)(h), WAC 180-90-160(1)(i)
All classroom teachers must hold the appropriate Washington State certification or meet the definition of a non-Washington State certified teacher in WAC 180-90-112 (5)(a-d). The school must maintain up to date policy statements on administration and operations. The school must not engage in any acts of racial segregation or discrimination.