New maps showing the reopening status of California schools reveal that private schools are reopening for in-person learning in districts where public schools are not. Are there private schools online? Yes, virtual campuses can be found through an Internet search, though the quality of these schools varies. Paid private programs offered on the Internet can be found through an Internet search, and these programs work with little supervision. Some programs offer face-to-face meetings with teachers, while others are purely virtual and work almost entirely online.
The transferability of course credits between online private schools and California public schools and universities varies widely. Some programs qualify for accreditation by the regional accreditation agency, which is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The California Department of Education (CDE) does not validate private school diplomas, as they have no authority to supervise or regulate private schools. Universities, employers and military branches have complete discretion as to whether private school credits or diplomas are acceptable. Private high schools that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges award diplomas that are generally universally accepted.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said schools have “generally cooperated with their inspectors”, though only nine schools across Los Angeles County had been cited for violating COVID-19 health orders as of January. Windward School opens its doors at 3118 Wilshire Boulevard with an enrollment of 68 students. A full-time private school may include a parent who instructs their own child at home if the homeschool meets the criteria applied to other private schools. The school said in COVID-19 protocols issued last summer that it “supports parental authority to make the decision regarding face coverings and that “the wearing of face coverings will not be imposed by the school. Whether a homeschooled child attends a private school and is therefore exempt from public school attendance is a decision made by local school districts and law enforcement authorities. In December, the county sent cease and desist letters to Trinity and two other private schools in the Santa Clarita area, telling them it was “crucial that they do their part to slow the spread of the coronavirus”.
Public health officials said that, as of mid-January, inspectors had not visited all three schools. As of mid-January, the Santa Clarita school had been cited seven times for violating COVID-19 orders, including not allowing the health inspector to enter the school, according to county records. A private school is a commercial or non-profit entity that must comply with requirements imposed by the jurisdiction, county, city, or other locality in which it is located. There are no state programs in California that provide public funding for private school tuition, except when a public school district places a student with a disability in a non-public school. A full-time program is one that exempts a student from attending another public or private school. Several parents interviewed by The Times praised practices in Santa Clarita schools that received citations, arguing that they kept children safe, but refused to be cited by name. The third purpose is to compile selected school information as statistical reports used by state and federal agencies. The group said it generally recommends that schools follow “reasonable and appropriate” guidance from health authorities, but also supports them in reviewing any government mandates that they believe is not in the best interest of their students, as well as “challenging actions that may infringe their rights”.
While schools are reopening, some districts say they are ready to change if conditions change, including temporary return to remote learning.