Accreditation is optional.
Accreditation by national or regional accrediting agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education may be accepted as evidence of compliance with the minimum standards. NRS 394.241.
No requirements for Registration. Licensing is mandatory.
Nevada defines license as ―the written authorization of the Board or Commission to operate or to contract to operate a private elementary, secondary or postsecondary educational institution.‖ NRS 394.075.
Under the Private Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization Act, private schools must be licensed according to minimum criteria established by the Board of Education. The criteria must be sufficient to effectuate the purpose of the act but not unreasonably hinder legitimate educational innovation. The minimum standards ensure that the quality and content of instruction achieves the stated objective of the program; the school has adequate space, equipment, instructional materials and personnel to provide good quality education; the school complies with health and safety regulations; and, the institution is financially sound and capable of fulfilling its commitments. NRS 394.241.
Elementary and secondary educational institutions operated by churches, religious organizations and faith-based ministries may claim an exemption to the provisions of the Private Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization Act. Institutions claiming an exemption must file with the Board of Education the exemption on forms provided by the Department of Education or in a letter containing the required information. The exemption expires two years after the last day of the calendar month in which the filing is made. NRS 394.211.
In order to operate in the state of Nevada, private schools must apply to the superintendent on forms provided by the State Department of Education. The application must include a ―catalog or brochure published or proposed to be published by the institution.‖ The State Board of Education grants a license it must include: the date of issuance, effective date and term of the license; the correct name and address of the institution licensed to operate; the authority for approval and conditions of operation; any limitations of the authorization, as considered necessary by the Board. License authorization may be given for a term of not more than four years. NRS 394.351.
A school must apply for license renewal at least 60 days before the expiration of a license. NRS 394.351.
When a private school applies for a license or a license renewal, the superintendent must inspect the school to ensure it ―operates in accordance
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with the provisions of all laws, regulations and ordinances relating to the health and safety of persons on the premises,‖ ―maintains the records required by the regulations of the Board relating to administrators, supervisors, instructors and other educational personnel,‖ and has the insurance coverage required by the State Board of Education. NRS 394.245.
License application fees are $300; renewal fees are $250. Schools applying for a license must file a surety bond for not less than $5,000 or a certificate of deposit for the same amount to provide indemnification for anyone suffering damage from the school resulting from a violation of the act. Documents of indebtedness for tuition payments are governed by state statute. NRS 394.351, 394.271.
The superintendent of public instruction maintains a list of private elementary and secondary schools authorized to operate in the state and investigates complaints brought against the schools. NRS 394.221, 394.231, 394.241, 394.271, 394.331, 394.351, 394.590.
No requirements for Approval. Teacher Certification
―The education and experience qualifications of directors, administrators, supervisors and instructors reasonably ensure that the students will receive education consistent with the objectives of the course or program of study.‖ This is a minimum standard that must be maintained by elementary and secondary educational institutions in Nevada. NRS 394.241(1)(c)
A full-time administrator in a licensed private school must: hold an administrator‘s license issued by the Department or by another state or territory of the United States; hold a bachelor‘s degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association that is approved by the United States Department of Education and have five years of verified experience in educational administration; or hold a master‘s degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association that is approved by the United States Department of Education and have three years of verified experience in educational administration. NAC 394.050(1).
An instructor in a licensed private school must: hold a teacher‘s license issued by the Department or by another state or territory of the United States that is appropriate for his assignment; hold a bachelor‘s degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association that is approved by the United States Department of Education and have three years of verified full-time or supervised experience in teaching the appropriate grade level; or hold a master‘s degree in an area that is appropriate for his assignment from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association that is approved by the United States Department of Education and have one year of verified full-time or supervised experience in teaching the appropriate grade level. NAC 394.050(2).
Teachers responsible for giving instruction must show satisfactory evidence of the necessary knowledge of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the state of Nevada by examination or credentials. NRS 394.160.
Exempt private schools have no requirements for instructional personnel qualifications.
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Length of School Year/Days
A licensed private school must have a school year of at least 180 school days. NAC 394.215.
A licensed private school must have a school day in session consistent with the following minimum daily periods for each grade, including recess and time between activities, but not including the time allowed for lunch: 120 minutes for kindergarten; 240 minutes for grades 1-2; 300 minutes for grades 3–6; and 330 minutes grades 7– 12. NAC 387.131.
Curriculum
Private schools must provide instruction for private school students in the subjects required by law for public school students, either under the prescribed regular state courses or through courses prepared by private schools and approved by the state board of education. Nothing in this section may be construed to interfere with the right of private schools to give religious instruction. NRS 394.130.
All private schools must provide instruction in the Constitution of the United States and the state of Nevada, including the origin and history, and the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals. At least one year of instruction is required at the elementary level and high school level. Private school students may not receive a certificate or diploma without having passed an examination on the constitutions. NRS 394.150.
Recordkeeping/Reports
Private schools are required to furnish periodic reports of enrollment, attendance, and general progress within each school to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. NRS 394.130.
Private elementary and secondary schools may not permanently admit a student until the parent or guardian furnishes a birth certificate or other proof of the child's identity, and if applicable, the student‘s prior school records. Children must be admitted to a school under the name appearing in the identifying documents, unless the parent or guardian furnishes a court order to the contrary or the child is in the custody of the welfare division. If the parent or guardian fails to furnish identifying documents within 30 days of conditional admission, the principal must notify the local law enforcement agency and request a determination whether the child has been reported missing. NRS 394.145.
Before December 31 of each year, private schools must report on a form provided the number of students fully immunized to the Health Division of the Department of Human Resources. NRS 394.192(5).
Private elementary and secondary educational institutions discontinuing operations must file original or true copies of all student academic records with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. NRS 394.341.
Health and Safety Requirements
Students may not enroll in a private school without a certificate of immunization unless excused based on a religious belief or medical condition. Students may
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conditionally enter a private school if a parent or guardian submits a certificate that the child is currently receiving the required immunizations. Immunizations must be completed within 90 days or the child must be excluded from school until the immunization requirement has been met. NRS 394.192(1)–(4); 394.193.
If a dangerous contagious disease exists in a private school, a child excused from the immunization requirements must be immunized or excluded from school and the local health officer notified. NRS 394.198.
Private schools must conduct fire drills at least once each month during the school year to instruct students in proper procedures. Not more than three drills may include instruction in the procedures in the event of a chemical explosion, related emergencies and other natural disasters. The state fire marshal prescribes regulations governing fire drills. Copies of this section shall be kept posted in every classroom of every private school. NRS 394.170.
Each private school must establish a committee to develop a plan to be used by the school in responding to a crisis. The development committee must include at least one member of the governing body; at least one administrator of the school; at least one teacher of the school; at least one employee of the school who is not a teacher and who is not responsible for the administration of the school; at least one parent or legal guardian of a pupil who is enrolled in the school; and at least one representative of a local law enforcement agency in the county in which the school is located. NRS 394.1685.
The development committee must, at least once each year, review and update the crisis plan as appropriate and provide an updated copy of the plan to the governing body of the school. NRS 394.1691.
Transportation
School districts with less than 100,000 in population who provide transportation for public school students may also provide transportation for resident students attending nonprofit private schools on established public school bus routes. NRS 392.300. Private schools are subject to the Nevada laws regulating the condition, equipment
and identification of vehicles used for pupil transportation. All vehicles are subject to inspection at all times. NRS 394.190.
Textbooks
Licensed private schools must meet the minimum criteria established by the Board of Education with regards to the adoption of textbooks. NAC 390.040.
Testing
There is no state policy at this time.
The Nevada Department of Education encourages private schools to participate in the state‘s testing program, particularly the High School Proficiency Exams. For additional information on the testing program, see NAC 389.048–398.083.
Special Education
Private schools that provide instruction to students with disabilities must create an education program for staff that provide services to the students with disabilities.
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―The program of education must provide instruction in positive behavioral interventions and positive behavioral supports that: includes positive methods to modify the environment of pupils with disabilities to promote adaptive behavior and reduce the occurrence of inappropriate behavior; includes methods to teach skills to pupils with disabilities so that the pupils can replace inappropriate behavior with adaptive behavior; includes methods to enhance the independence and quality of life for pupils with disabilities; includes the use of the least intrusive methods to respond to and reinforce the behavior of pupils with disabilities; and offers a process for designing interventions based upon the pupil that are focused on promoting appropriate changes in behavior as well as enhancing the overall quality of life for the pupil.‖ NRS 394.372.
Nursing and Health
There is no state policy at this time. Technology
Licensed private schools must meet the minimum criteria established by the Board of Education with regards to the Nevada State Educational Technology Plan.
Professional Development
There is no state policy at this time.
Reimbursement for Performing State/Local Functions There is no state policy at this time.
Tax Exemption
Nonprofit private schools, including adjacent lots, furniture and equipment, are exempt from property tax. NRS 361.105.
Meals and food products for human consumption served by private schools, student organizations, and parent-teacher associations to students and teachers are exempt from sales tax. NRS 372.285.
Meals and food products for human consumption served by private schools, student organizations, and parent-teacher associations to students and teachers are exempt from the local school support tax. NRS 372.290.
Public Aid for Private Education
Constitutional Provisions: Public school funds may not be used for any other purpose nor set apart for the use or benefit of sectarian or secular societies or associations. NRS 387.045.
Programs for financial assistance for attendance at private schools: There are no such programs at this time.
Homeschooling
―A parent of the child chooses to provide education to the child and files a notice of intent to homeschool the child with the superintendent of schools of the school district in which the child resides in accordance with NRS 392.700.‖ NRS 392.070.
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In order to homeschool, the parent must submit a written notice of intent, using a standard form created by the Nevada Department of Education, to the superintendent of the schools of the resident school district. The notice of intent must be submitted before the start of the homeschool program, no later than 10 days after withdrawn enrollment from public school, or no later than 30 days after establishing residency in the state. The notice of intent informs the school district that the homeschooled student is exempt from the compulsory attendance law. NRS 392.700.1–2.
The notice of intent includes the full name, age and gender of the child; the name and address of each parent filing the notice of intent to homeschool; a statement signed and dated by each such parent declaring that the parent has control or charge of the child and the legal right to direct the education of the child, and assumes full responsibility for the education of the child while the child is being homeschooled; an educational plan for the child that is prepared pursuant to subsection 12; and, if applicable, the name of the public school in this State which the child most recently attended. NRS § 392.700.5.
The parent of a homeschooled child must develop an educational plan of instruction in the subject areas of English, including reading, composition and writing, mathematics, science and social studies, including history, geography, economics and government, as appropriate for the age and level of skill of the child as determined by the parent. NRS 392.700.12.
The superintendent of schools of the resident school district is not authorized to require additional information or assurance from the parent other than the notice of intent. NRS 392.700.6.
The school district must provide the parent a written form of acknowledgment that indicates the parent provided notification that student will be homeschooled. ―The written acknowledgment shall be deemed proof of compliance with Nevada‘s compulsory school attendance law. The school district shall retain a copy of the written acknowledgment for not less than 15 years.‖ NRS 392.700.7.
―A school or organization shall not discriminate in any manner against a child who is or was homeschooled.‖ NRS 392.700.10.
Information resources
Nevada Department of Education: Private Schools
<http://nde.doe.nv.gov/SD_PrivateSchools.htm>
Nevada Department of Education: Homeschooling
<http://nde.doe.nv.gov/SD_Homeschooling.htm>
Nevada Law Library
<http://www.leg.state.nv.us/law1.cfm > Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 392: Pupils. Homeschooled Children: 392.700–392.705. <http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-392.html#NRS392Sec700 > Chapter 394: Private Educational Institutions and Establishments. <http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-394.html>
Nevada Administrative Code
<http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/CHAPTERS.HTMl > Nevada Department of Education
State Regulation of Private Schools—Nevada
175 700 East Fifth Street
Carson City, NV 89701 Phone: 775-687-9217 Fax: 775-687-9202
Web site: http://www.doe.nv.gov U.S. Department of Education, Nevada
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