Agencies and Committees
WFIS represents the interests of private schools on agency boards and working groups and serves as the official liaison organization for independent schools with OSPI and the Department of Early Learning.WFIS Agency and Committee News
Updated Title I Guidance Released
from CAPE Outlook November 2019 The US Department of Education has released updated non-regulatory guidance for Title I of ESEA, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (now known as the Every Student Succeeds Act - ESSA). Of interest are at least two...
Enrollment Reporting Issues Clarified
In an email sent to all Approved Private Schools in WA State on behalf of private.schools@k12.wa.us, schools were notified that enrollment reporting will occur in the spring when the application for re-approval is submitted. This follows a full month of...
OSPI School Safety Summit Recap
Sandra Barton Smith from the Office for Catholic Schools attended the October 24th meeting and shares her insights with WFIS schools below. WFIS wants to remind all private schools that a focus of the ESDs is to offer training and support on suicide and...
ELAC Update from October 2019 Meeting
reported by WFIS' Early Learning Advisory Council Representative Chelle Downey-Magee, Director of Issaquah Montessori School The October 1 Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) meeting took place at the Oxford Suites in Yakima. Attendance by members was...
Update: Child Care Professional Development Equivalencies Process with DCYF
Read the report produced by the Equivalencies Workgroup, along with a response letter from Secretary Hunter and a process document outlining DCYF’s plan for experience-based competency demonstration. DCYF will continue to provide updates regarding...
OSPI Clock Hour Provider Application DEADLINE Aug 20!
If your school would like to remain as a Washington State Approved Clock Hour Provider for 2019-2020, the applications are due by August 20, 2019. Use this link to apply: 2019-2020 Clock Hour Approval Application . SCHOOLS with MULTIPLE CAMPUSESIf you...
Early Education for Children 0-6 years old
Washington State is making changes quickly: Private Schools are concerned WFIS continues to support an increase in excellent preschool options for all families wanting or needing care for their children. However, the new state regulations are forcing some...
Annual Safety Checklist by Andrew Rauch, School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisor for WFIS
In thinking about the important role of each School Safety Contact, WFIS asked Andrew Rauch, Facilities Director for Two Schools, to share advice and a brief check-list of things he has found useful & important when preparing for the start of the new...
Private Schools in WA excel at supporting students with dyslexia
Hamlin Robinson School fourth grader Michael Parton writes in the air as part of the process of learning to spell and write in cursive. (Mike Siegel / The Seattle Times)
Registration for the 2019 Private Schools Summer Conferences is open
This year’s Private Schools Summer Conference will offer three two-day sessions on Differentiation: Practical Strategies for Implementation led by Class Measures. Class Measures associates are skilled in the art of demystifying differentiation, supporting teachers to...
About our work
WFIS representatives work with State Agencies, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), The Department of Early Learning (DEL), The Department of Health and others to advocate for the particular needs of private schools.
WFIS representatives at OSPI, DEL and on the State Board of Education communicate regularly with WFIS to help guide and change policy to reflect private school needs.
WFIS works directly with the executive directors of the accreditation organizations in Washington to protect the integrity of accreditation and our schools. We call these leaders “Constituency Leaders” and rely on their in depth understanding of their schools to guide WFIS’ policy decisions.
WFIS is in Olympia during the legislative session, building relationships with Legislators and their staff, collaborating with lobbying organizations with similar goals, as well as reading and contributing to legislation to be sure private schools are considered when law is crafted and when it is passed.