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Welcome! This page contains​ helpful information about nonpublic schools for parents, administrators, teachers, and other interested parties. You can click on each question below to open a new window with more detailed questions and additional information.​​​​​​​

What do I need to know about nonpublic schools?

If you are a parent or guardian interested in nonpublic schools, then you probably have many questions. How much is tuition? Is the school safe? What do they teach? What if the child goes back to public school? These questions and more can make it feel overwhelming to pick the right school. Fortunately, there are some questions you can ask to make the decision easier. Below is a list of common questions parents have about private schools. Click on each question to see the answer. At the end, you should have a better understanding of private schools and hopefully have an easier choice to make.​

Accredited, recognized, registered, what do they all mean?

The main concern parents tend to have about nonpublic schools is whether the course work, diploma, or transcript is “legitimate" or “valid." People tend to use these words and others interchangeably, which can lead to some confusion. In Illinois, there are three words with very specific meanings that you should know:  recognition, accreditation, and registration.

Recognition – A "recognized school" means that an ISBE appointed team has visited the school to confirm it is following all required laws. The team will look at school policies, student and staff files, safety records, and other things; a team revisits the school every five years. If the school passes inspection, they are granted recognition status by ISBE.

  • Recognition is voluntary for nonpublic schools.
  • Recognition is not focused on academic standards or the educational quality of the school (see Accreditation below) although that plays a small role.
  • Many, but not all, employers and colleges prefer a diploma/transcript from a school that has been recognized.
  • You can find a list of recognized schools on the nonpublic school home page under, “4. Can I see a list of registered and recognized schools?”​

Accre​ditation​ –ISBE does not accredit nonpublic schools. An accredited school means that the school's curriculum (Math, Language Arts, Science, etc.) has been reviewed and approved by a third-party accrediting agency. The accrediting agency will set education standards, and if a school meets those standards, then the school receives accreditation.

  • Accreditation is voluntary for nonpublic schools.
  • A school may be accredited and not recognized, recognized and not accredited, both, or neither.
  • Many, but not all, employers and colleges prefer a diploma/transcript from a school that has been accredited.
  • If you want to know if a school is accredited, you will have to directly ask the school. ISBE does not keep a list of which nonpublic schools are accredited.
    • Make sure the accrediting agency is legitimate by asking yourself the following questions:
      1. Does the accrediting agency have a website? Can you call and talk to someone?
      2. How long have they been accrediting schools? Which schools have they already accredited? Do you recognize any of the schools that have been accredited?
      3. What education standards does the accrediting agency have for schools?  How intensive is the agency's school evaluation process?
      4. What sort of results appear when you do a web search?​

Registration – A "registered school" means that ISBE has some basic data about the school. However, unlike recognition, the school has not been visited by ISBE to verify files, polices, and procedures.

  • Registration is voluntary for nonpublic schools.
  • Many, but not all, employers and colleges do not value a diploma/transcript from a school that is only registered.

Legitimate, Valid, or Legal – In Illinois, nonpublic schools do not need permission from ISBE to open and serve students. That means asking if a school is “legitimate" or if the diploma will be “valid" does not help very much. Instead, you should ask questions about the school's accreditation and recognition, since that is what employers and colleges are most likely to look for.

Other commonly seen words – You may see words other than the ones above. In fact, other departments at ISBE use different words. For example, Special Education uses the word “approved" for some schools. Unfortunately, some people will use these words to mislead or confuse parents. You should be cautious and ask questions as to what exactly words like these mean:

  • Certified
  • Licensed
  • Endorsed
  • Credentialed
  • Sponsored
  • Verified​​​

What if I decide to send my child to a public school or a different nonpublic school?

Public schools in Illinois have the right to evaluate a student transferring into their school. If your child has been in a private school, then the public school may choose to evaluate your child to determine what grade level they are in. The evaluation might be a placement test, or they may simply accept the courses and credits earned at the nonpublic school. This is another reason to choose an accredited and recognized nonpublic school (see #1).

You should also be aware of public-school graduation requirements. For example, public high schools require students to take specific courses like Algebra to graduate. If your child is a high school student and thinking about transferring back to a public school, you may want to ask if the nonpublic school's classes meet the same standards of public-school courses.

All of these issues also apply if you are transferring your child from one nonpublic school to another.  A nonpublic school may evaluate an incoming student to determine what the receiving school feels is the proper grade placement, for example.​

Are there any scholarships or grants to help pay private school tuition?

The tuition program operated by Illinois is the Invest in Kids Act. For a nonpublic school to be able to participate, they must be a recognized school. However, the Illinois Department of Revenue oversees the scholarship program​, not ISBE.​

I have a complaint or concern about a nonpublic school.

Unlike public schools, ISBE does not have authority over every nonpublic school. If you have a concern, first check to see if the school is registered or recognized with ISBE. You can do so by finding the school’s name on the nonpublic school home page under, “4. Can I see a list of registered and recognized schools?”​.  If the school is registered or recognized, contact ISBE with your concerns, and we will try to help within the limits of our jurisdiction.

If the school is not registered or recognized, then ISBE likely may not be able to address your concerns. If you have already spoken with the school administrator, try these steps:

  • Ask if the school has a board of directors, religious leader, or others that may be involved with the administration of the school.
  • Try speaking with other parents to see if your issue is affecting more than one person, then present your concerns together.
  • Read the school's policy manual to see if your problem is mentioned, then ask the school about the policy.​

What is Registration/Recognition, and how can my school apply for it?

Nonpublic schools in Illinois can go through a voluntary process to become registered or recognized with the Illinois State Board of Education. To learn more about each process, the benefits, and steps required, please see the questions below.​

What is registration and what are the benefits?

Registration is a voluntary process that is available to nonpublic schools. By applying for registration, a school agrees to provide ISBE with enrollment data, staff data, contact information, and assurances for following laws regarding immunization reporting, nondiscrimination, building code safety, and others. If a school’s application is accepted, a school is then considered registered with the Illinois State Board of Education. 

The benefits of registration include the following:

  • Being assigned a unique school ID number 
  • Access granted to the online IWAS system 
  • Eligibility to apply for recognition in the following school year​​

What are the steps and forms required to become registered?

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for registration, a nonpublic school must meet the following criteria:

  1. Filed with the Illinois Secretary of State as a non-profit organization​;
  2. Not based in a home unless all instruction is provided remotely or virtually;
    1. Students may not come to your home for instruction.
  3. Currently open with students enrolled and attending classes;
  4. Students are enrolled in at least two grades between PreK – 12 (any two grades);
  5. Your school must enroll students other than your own children.
  6. In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964​;
  7. Additional requirements found on the 87-01​ applicationPDF Document.

First Time Applicants

  1. Submit the application titled Nonpublic Registration and Enrollment Staff ReportPDF Document between October 1 and June 25. For faster service, please e-mail this form directly to ROEISC@isbe.net
  2. Assistance with filling out this application can be found in the User GuidePDF Document.

Renewals For Schools Already Registered

Login to the IWAS System​, click “System Listing” in the left column, next click Nonpublic Registration Renewal Report. This system is open from October 1 to November 15.

Please be aware that all schools in Illinois are required to submit various student health data.  As a registered school, you are therefore expected to visit the following IWAS systems to submit your data although this is not specifically a requirement of nonpublic registration.

  1. Login to the IWAS System, click “System Listing” in the left column, next click Student Health Data – Immunization. This system is open from October 1 to November 15.
  2. Login to the IWAS System, click “System Listing” in the left column, next click Student Health Data – Vision. This system is open until June 30.
  3. Login to the IWAS System, click “System Listing” in the left column, next click Student Health Data – Dental. This system is open until June 30.

Registration must be renewed annually, or a school will forfeit its registration status.​​​​​

What is recognition and what are the benefits?

Recognition is a voluntary process that is available to nonpublic schools that were registered in the prior year. By applying for recognition, a school agrees to follow applicable state and federal laws and agrees to be visited by the Illinois State Board of Education to confirm the school is in compliance. If the school passes the examination process, then it is considered recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The benefits of recognition include the following:

  • ​Required for student entrance in many colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions and training programs.
  • Requirement for school membership in the Illinois High School Association and for student participation in Illinois Elementary School Association sanctioned sports, contests, tournaments, etc.
  • Required for student acceptance/assignment to most military training programs.
  • Required for students taking licensing examinations in fields covered under the Illinois Nursing Act.
  • Required for partial cancellation of National Defense Education Act student loans.
  • Often required for placement on a salary schedule when nonpublic teachers transfer to other schools.
  • Student transfers and credits may be expedited when transferring to another school.​
    ​

What are the steps and forms required to become recognized?

First Time Applicants

  1. Have been registered in the prior school year. You must also have renewed registration and submitted Immunization data for the current school year.
  2. Fill out and send in the Application for Initial Recognition of Nonpublic Schools (91-04)PDF Document. Please review the GlossaryPDF Document and Training WebinarYouTube Video Link to ensure you understand the requirements of each question.
    1. You will need the Private School Safety Drill Compliance ReportPDF Document
    2. You may need the Annual Bus Safety Drill Exemption Form​PDF Document
    3. For faster service, please e-mail the application to ROEISC@isbe.net
  3. Applications are accepted at any time, but submissions in late spring could be postponed until the next school year, depending on staff resources and the number of days left in the school year.
  4. When your application is received, it will be reviewed for eligibility by ISBE staff. You will then be contacted in winter to set up a time and date for the visit.

​Renewals

  1. Login to the IWAS System, click "System Listing" in the left column, next click Nonpublic Registration Renewal Report. This system is open from October 1 to November 15. You must have renewed registration, or you will not be allowed to renew recognition.
  2. Login to the IWAS System, click "System Listing" in the left column, next click Nonpublic School Application for Recognition Renewal.

Please be aware that all schools in Illinois are required to submit various student health data. You cannot renew your recognition without having submitted the immunization data required below.

  1. Login to the IWAS System, click "System Listing" in the left column, next click Student Health Data – Immunization. This system is open from October 1 to November 15.
  2. Login to the IWAS System, click "System Listing" in the left column, next click Student Health Data – Vision. This system is open until June 30.
  3. Login to the IWAS System, click "System Listing" in the left column, next click Student Health Data – Dental. This system is open until June 30.

Recognition and registration must be renewed annually, or a school will forfeit its recognition status.​​

What should I remember to do annually?

Registered Schools

  1. Renew registration electronically through IWAS between October 1 and November 15.
  2. Submit student immunization data through IWAS between October 1 and November 15.
  3. Submit student vision and dental exam data through IWAS by June 30.
  4. Submit the Private School Annual Review Compliance Report​PDF Document to the State Fire Marshal’s office annually (usually done by schools in May or June).

Recognized Schools

  1. Renew registration electronically through IWAS between October 1 and November 15.
  2. Submit student immunization data through IWAS between October 1 and November 15.
  3. Submit student vision and dental exam data through IWAS by June 30.
  4. Renew recognition electronically through IWAS.
  5. Submit the Private School Annual Review Compliance ReportPDF Document to the State Fire Marshal’s office annually (usually done by schools in May or June).

Failure to submit required reports may result in forfeiture of a school’s registration or recognition status.​​

How can my school participate in the state tax scholarship program?

To qualify for the state tax scholarship program (Invest in Kids Act), your school must currently be recognized. Please note that the Illinois State Board of Education does not oversee or administer the tax scholarship program. If you have questions about the program, please contact the Illinois Department of Revenue​.​

What laws or rules govern registration and recognition?

Can I see a list of registered and recognized schools?

Below you will find two separate lists for registered and recognized schools. If you are unfamiliar with the difference between these two terms, you can find an explanation on the nonpublic school home page under, “1. What do I need to know about nonpublic schools?”​. Please note that we do not have a list of recognized schools for the current school year, although we hope to add this feature to our website in the future. Please also note that we have lists of recognized schools going back to the 1920s but only keep the last few years on our website.  If you need to check the status of a school for the current year or a past year not shown on our website, please e-mail us with the name and address of the school.​​​​

What schools are registered with ISBE?

Note: Registration must be renewed annually. Do not assume that a school will appear every year.

Current Year D​ata

Historical Data

What schools are recognized by ISBE?

Note: Recognition must be renewed annually. Do not assume that a school will appear every year.

Forms and Links

Registration

Recognition

What should I know about my recognition visit?

To become recognized, nonpublic schools must be visited by a team that will look over the school’s files, policies, and safety records. If you are preparing for a recognition visit, take a moment to review the questions below to prepare.​​​​

How can I prepare for my school’s recognition visit?

By now, you should have submitted your school’s application with the assistance of the Glossary​PDF Document and the Training Webinar​YouTube Video Link. If you have not done so and already submitted your application, please go review these documents now. These items provide greater detail about each item in the evaluation instrument and what the team will be looking for on the day of the visit. Once you understand what you need to have ready for the team, consider these next steps:

  1. Return to the evaluation instrument, and in the space provided for “Evidence” write down where the team will be able to see proof that your school is in compliance for that item. For example, if the evaluation item asks for a policy on students with diabetes, then find the page in your policy handbook that has such information. If you are unable to locate the evidence, then there is a good chance you need to prepare something ahead of your visit.
  2. Layout the materials the team will need for the visit. Remember that in general only one team member will look at each item, so you do not need three copies of all your documents. As an example, only one member will look at your school’s calendar so there is no need for three copies. In addition, if team members can access the information electronically, then there is no requirement that you print out the materials.
  3. For some items, the easiest evidence to produce may be a conversation with either you or one of your staff. For example, evidence of the school teaching the required health topics could be a conversation with teachers that cover these topics.
  4. If possible, plan to sit with the team while they conduct the visit. Administrators and staff are welcome and encouraged to be present during the evaluation to answer questions and clarify policies and procedures.​

What happens if I fail an inspection item?

If your school is found to be noncompliant on an item, then your report will be marked to indicate that said item is in need of correction. The team leader will go over all areas of noncompliance at the end of your visit and explain how your school can correct each item to comply with the law. Your team leader will also decide how to follow-up once corrections have been made.

Typically, every school will have some issues of noncompliance during a visit due to the large number of items being checked. However, if your school is found to be substantially noncompliant and negligent toward following the law, your school may be denied recognition status, and you will be forced to reapply during the next school year.

What are the requirements for team members?

A team consists of a minimum of three members. One member must be a representative of ISBE and will be the team leader for the visit. The other two team members must represent the interests of the public and private education system and the requirements are as follows:

Public Team Member

  • Must have some experience working in public ​education—does not need to be currently employed.
  • Can hold any position, such as a coach, administrative assistant, teacher, guidance counselor, etc.

Private Team Member

  • Must have some experience working in private education—does not need to be currently employed.
  • A representative of a department of education at a nonpublic college or university could serve in this role.

NOTE: Some schools are owned by another entity.  For example, many Catholic schools are owned by the diocese in which they sit.  A representative of that entity cannot serve on the compliance team for one of the entity’s schools because of the obvious conflict of interest.  A representative of such an entity may serve on a team for a school not connected to the entity.

Similarly, a school may be in some form of association with other related schools, as some Lutheran schools are connected to the Missouri Synod.  Association officials cannot serve on these compliance teams due to the same obvious conflict of interest.

Nothing precludes these representatives, in either case above, from being present to help the school being visited.  They just cannot be part of the ISBE-appointed review team.​​

I’ve been asked to be a team member for a recognition visit. What can I expect?

The purpose of a recognition visit is to verify that a nonpublic school’s policies, files, and safety records comply with state and federal law. As a team member, your job will be to review some of these documents to ensure compliance. This can involve checking to see that students have birth certificates on file, looking at art supplies to make sure they’re non-toxic, or checking to see that teachers are evaluated every two years. Your exact role will be determined by the team leader when they divide the work for the visit. If you want to see the evaluation instrument that will be used, please click here​PDF Document. Remember that you will not be filling out this entire document, only one portion.

  • Plan to be at the school for up to three hours. If the school is really well-organized, you may finish sooner. In addition, you can leave once you have finished your section of the evaluation and reported to the team leader.
  • The school has the same evaluation instrument you will use, and so they will have prepared what you are looking for.
  • Your team’s report will be reviewed by the team leader and then be sent to ISBE for final review, so you will not be issuing any final judgements on the school.
  • There is no advance preparation required on your part as you will get all the materials and instructions you need, except a pen, at the visit.
  • There is no remuneration for this service.

What do I need to know about working at a nonpublic school?

There are many great nonpublic schools in Illinois looking for talented teachers and other staff. However, there are important differences between public school and nonpublic school employment.  Please review the Q&A below for information.​​

Can I student teach at a nonpublic school?

Yes.  Student teaching is valid for licensure only when done at schools that have been recognized by ISBE. For a list of recognized schools, please look on this page under, “Can I see a list of registered and recognized schools?”​

Am I eligible for student loan forgiveness if I work at a nonpublic school?

It is possible that you may qualify for some type of federal student loan forgiveness while working as a teacher in a nonpublic school. To learn more about eligibility and requirements please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website​ on student loan forgiveness.​​

Do I need a license to teach at a nonpublic school?

No. The Illinois State Board of Education does not require teachers at nonpublic schools to have a license in order to teach.  Likewise, nonpublic school principals do not need a license.  However, recognized schools must employ teachers who hold a Bachelor’s degree. You may also find that the private school you wish to teach at has adopted a policy of requiring their teachers to have a license. Learn more about licensure​.​

How can I find a nonpublic school near me?

There are three sources available for finding nearby nonpublic schools:

  • Directory of Educational Entities – This list contains all K-12 schools currently known to ISBE. You will need to select the “Non Pub Sch” tab at the bottom to see the list of nonpublic schools. You can then sort the list to fit your search.
  • List of registered Schools – This list contains all schools that are registered with the Illinois State Board of Education. You can find the list on this page under, “Can I see a list of registered and recognized schools?”.
  • List of recognized Schools – This list contains all schools that are recognized with the Illinois State Board of Education.  You can find the list on this page under, “Can I see a list of registered and recognized schools?”​.

How can I offer driver’s education at a nonpublic school?

​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 252PDF Document.

How can I get a copy of a transcript?

Except in rare cases, we are not able to provide a copy of a student's nonpublic school transcript. For nonpublic schools, student records are kept by the school and generally not sent to ISBE. Please see the questions below if you need a copy of your transcript.​​​

What if the school I graduated from is still open?

Please contact the school directly for a copy of your transcript.​​

What if the school I graduated from is now closed?

Unlike public schools, nonpublic schools in Illinois are not required to keep student records when they close. If the nonpublic school you graduated from is now closed, it is very unlikely that you will be able to obtain a copy of your transcript or records. If you are unable to contact the administrator of the closed school, try the following things:

  • Think back to any college, job, training p​rogram, etc. that you have applied to. If you gave them a copy of your high school transcript, you may be able to contact them and get a copy.
  • If your nonpublic school was part of a church, mosque, synagogue, etc., then try contacting them to see if they have a copy of your records.
  • If your school was part of one of the five Catholic dioceses, contact them to see if they have a copy of your record.
  • If you graduated from Lutheran High School South or Lutheran North College Prep, you may be able to obtain the record from Walther Christian Academy. Please contact them directly at 708-344-0404.

Unfortunately, except in rare cases, ISBE cannot provide a copy of a student's transcript or verify that a student graduated from a nonpublic school. If you have tried the above steps and were still not able to get a copy of your transcript, show your employer or college this website to see if some exception can be made.​​

You mentioned “rare cases”—what records does ISBE have?

ISBE has some​ student records for exactly four schools:

  • Central YMCA
  • Cosmopolitan Preparatory High School (only records before 1981)
  • St James Academy
  • Western Military Academy

Please contact the ROE/ISC Department at (217) 785-9998 with your name at time of graduation and date of birth. Please know that we do not have all records from these schools, and we may be unable to locate your file.​​​​

Do you have any publicly available data for research?

If you are conducting research on nonpublic schools in Illinois, then you can access a list of schools registered and recognized by ISBE by clicking below. If you are unsure of the difference between these two terms,  you can find an explanation on the nonpublic school home page under, “1. What do I need to know about nonpublic schools?”​.

The registration lists provide significant detail about enrollment and staffing at registered nonpublic schools.​​

registration data

Note: Registration must be renewed annually. Do not assume that a school will appear every year.​

recognition data

Note: Recognition must be renewed annually. Do not assume that a school will appear every year.

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