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1. While there are some specific requirements noted in the Code language, the details of the program are found in the administrative rules (23 Illinois Administrative Code Part 425).
   
2. Please note that while some nonpublic schools have affiliations, such as to a Catholic Archdiocese, requirements due to these affiliations are in addition to, and not in place of, state requirements.​​

• Registered Nonpublic Schools Enrollment and Other Data
  • 2017-2018
    
  • ​Total Enrollment & Site Information​​
    
  • 2016-2017
    
  • ​Total Enrollment & Site Information​​
    
  • 2015-2016
    • Total Enrollment & Site Information
  • 2014-2015
    • Total Enrollment & Site Information​
      
  • 2013-2014
    • Total Enrollment & Site Information
  • 2012-2013
    • Total Enrollment & Site Information
      

• Schools seeking to register for the first time must submit a paper application. However, that application may only be submitted on or after October 1, and it must be received by ISBE on or before June 25 so that it may be processed by June 30. Such first-time schools must wait until October 1 to gain access to the application. Schools that have completed the application --but not submitted it -- should wait to do so until October 1.
• For purposes of registration, a nonpublic school is any nonprofit, non-home-based, and nonpublic elementary or secondary school (Section 2-3.25o(e) of the Illinois School Code) that is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Attendance at such schools satisfies the requirements of Section 26-1 of the Illinois School Code. Only such schools can register and re-register.
• A school seeking to renew its registration will do so electronically via the IWAS System.  IWAS System. IWAS is open for registration renewal between October 1 and November 15.
  NOTE: ​ Schools wishing to remain registered MUST renew their registration annually.
• For questions about registration, contact:
  Regulatory Support and Wellness, E-222
  100 North First Street
  Springfield, IL 62777-0001
  (217) 782-5270
• A school having changes that involve the data in the Entity Profile System or EPS (one of the systems in IWAS) needs to update the school’s data. Many changes can be made by the school itself while others must be made by ISBE administrators. See the instructions for making EPS changes.​
  

Below are links to lists that supply recent information about recognized nonpublic schools in Illinois.  Please note that recognition must be renewed annually, so it is important to check the year of specific interest.  For 2012-13, the data are supplied in two ways in pdf files: alphabetical first by county name and then by school name for each county or alphabetical by school name.  However, for succeeding years, the data are in Excel spreadsheets that can be sorted as the user may find most convenient.  For recognition status queries in years not shown, please contact the Regulatory Support and Wellness Division at 217-782-5270.

• Directory of Recognized Schools​
  • 2017-18​
    
  • 2016-17​
    
  • 2013-14​
    
  • 2012-13
    • Alphabetic
    • By County​​
      

1. Assurance that the school's educational program has been approved by ISBE and meets at least minimum state requirements.
2. Required for student entrance in many colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions and training programs.
   
3. Requirement for school membership in the Illinois High School Association and for student participation in Illinois Elementary School Association sanctioned sports, contests, tournaments, etc.
4. Required for student acceptance/assignment to most military training programs.
5. Required for students taking licensing examinations in fields covered under the Illinois Nursing Act.
6. Required for partial cancellation of National Defense Education Act student loans.
7. Required for student teachers.
8. Often required for placement on a salary schedule when nonpublic teachers transfer to other schools.
9. Student transfers are expedited and credits are more-readily accepted by other schools.​

1. Steps to Recognition​ - This document will help guide a school seeking recognition for the first time through various steps to achieve recognition.
2. Application for Initial Recognition of Nonpublic Schools (91-04) - This application is used for initial recognition of all eligible nonpublic schools and for renewal of recognition for eligible nonpublic correspondence schools. Renewal of recognition for non-correspondence schools is done in the fall via IWAS. Schools do not re-prepare this application in anticipation of a compliance visit. This may be submitted at any time, but an application received late in one school year may mean that the required school visit that follows application review cannot be scheduled until the following school year.
3. Application for Recognition and Calendar User Guide - This document provides a “walk through” of the recognition application screens in IWAS.
4. General Information Records Checklist - This document lists all the materials, documents, etc. that the school should assemble for inspection prior to the arrival of the review team.
5. Nonpublic School Evaluation Instrument (91-04A) - This is the primary reporting document completed by the team during the review visit. The sample completed form​ may be helpful as an example of what a completed form might look like.
   
6. Nonpublic School Evaluation Instrument Glossary
   Word Version
    - This document should give nonpublic school administrators and compliance visit team members additional information about the items in the evaluation instrument and some other information about the recognition compliance visits.  It is hoped this “commentary” will help school personnel feel more confident about their preparations for these visits and help visit teams be more consistent across the state in the evaluation of nonpublic school compliance. The Glossary will be a living document and will be updated as needed. Check back whenever the need arises to get the most recent version.​
7. Fire Marshal Information and Annual Review Compliance Report Link - This is a link to the State Fire Marshal site, where the nonpublic school can find information and a link to the report form regarding the school’s compliance with safety drill requirements (Annual Review Compliance Report from Private Schools).
8. School Drill Document (91-02) - This is the form used by the school to document that it held all of the required safety drills. Please note that nonpublic schools are not required to hold bus drills if the school does not use buses, vans, or similar conveyances, but the school must hold a bus drill if it changes its practice to include the use of buses.  Nonpublic schools wishing to use this exemption to the bus drill requirement must file the Bus Drill Documentation​ form with ISBE annually.​
   
9. School Emergency & Crisis Response Plan Guide - This is a link to an ISBE website with extensive information about safety drills and other related school safety items.
10. Most Common Findings - This document suggests common errors for schools to avoid in order to smooth the path to recognition.​​​​
    

• Information for Parents
  Offers questions and information to help parents in deciding whether to enroll a child in a particular nonpublic school.
• School Code Reference Directory - Coming Soon!
  Identifies items in the School Code that apply to nonpublic schools.
• SY2019 Nonpublic School Recognition Training Webinar (1 hour)
• ​Developed to aid training personnel who will be leading recognition visit teams in nonpublic schools during SY2019.
• Content may be of interest to nonpublic schools and others in preparing for compliance visits or in meeting new compliance requirements.​
• The Glossary ​supplies additional details on many topics in this webinar.​
  

Sometimes foreign language instruction is offered at an “ethnic school.” An ethnic school is a part-time private school that teaches the foreign language of a particular ethnic group as well as the culture, geography, history, and other aspects of that ethnic group. The school may seek approval to show that the language instruction offered is equivalent in content, rigor, etc. to foreign language instruction offered at a public high school. This program provides for that approval under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.44 in the School Code. The Code has additional references to Ethnic Language Schools under 105 ILCS 5/2-3.45 and 105 ILCS 5/10-22.43a.

• A minimum of 120 hours per student of instruction in language (and culture) is required for this approval.
• Application for Ethnic School Foreign Language Program Approval (39-16)
• SY 2018-2019 Approved Ethnic Foreign Language Programs ​
  

High school students who participate in Ethnic Language Schools may become sufficiently skilled in a language so as to be eligible for the Seal of Biliteracy. This Seal is earned solely through the demonstration of language proficiency via standardized testing or portfolio assessment and is not dependent upon the student having any high school foreign language credits. It may be earned by students enrolled only in those public school districts participating in the Seal of Biliteracy program. Please note that a student seeking this Seal will also need to demonstrate English language proficiency by test only even if the student is a native English speaker.​

• Nonpublic high schools can receive approval of their driver education programs in order to help students meet license and insurance requirements. The requirements for nonpublic school driver education programs and their instructors are found in applicable parts of the Driver Education Act (105 ILCS 5/27-24 through 27-24.10) in the School Code and 23 Illinois Administrative Code Part 252.​
  
• Only recognized schools can apply for this approval.
• List of Currently Approved Driver Education Programs
• To apply for approval or to renew approval, there are two forms used (these can be submitted together).
  • Nonpublic High School Driver Education Program Application (39-10B)
    Complete for the approval of the program itself, then print, sign, and send to ISBE using the address on the form.
  • Nonpublic High School Driver Education Program: Instructor's Qualifications (39-09A) Complete for the approval of an instructor for the program, then print, sign, and send to ISBE using the address on the form Please note the following:
    
    • A separate copy of this form is needed for each instructor; and
    • The school must maintain in its files the various supporting documents (such as transcripts) for which this form is an assurance.​​