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
Federal Budget for Education: Insights for Private Schools
The Committee for Education Funding (CEF), in collaboration with the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), has provided key updates on the federal education budget for fiscal year 2025 (FY25). Here’s what private school leaders in Washington need to know:...
2025–2026 Private School Annual Approval deadline is Tuesday
The State Board of Education's online approval application deadline is April 1, 2025. Contact the Private Schools Manager, Nicole Mulhaussen with any problems. To confirm your school’s application status, visit the Private School Approval webpage and download...
Recap of ‘Future of Childcare in WA and what’s at stake’ webinar
On Thursday, the Education Lab: Seattle Times hosted a webinar called "The future of childcare in Washington and what’s at stake." The panel included Jasmine Donovan from Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, Representative Josh Penner from the 31st District, Rekah Strong from...
Waste Not Washington School Awards program
Congratulations to Montessori Academy at Spring Valley, one of the schools chosen by the Department of Ecology as a Waste Not WA School Award winner for their program tackling food waste through a pumpkin patch in the 2024-25 school year! The Department of Ecology is...
Considerations for OSPI’s ‘Intent to Participate’ Federal Programs Application in April
In April, OSPI’s Education Data System (EDS) portal will open for private schools to declare their intent to participate in federal title fund programs for the 2025–26 school year. With federal education funding in flux, it remains uncertain whether these programs...
Measles update
Measles vaccination rates are declining across Washington, while nationwide cases have already reached 326 this year—surpassing the annual total in 12 of the past 15 years. Fortunately, Washington’s single measles case from February has passed the exposure window...
State Board of Ed & Private School Leaders meeting recap
Nicole Mulhausen, the State Board of Education's staff, reported that 110 schools have successfully submitted approval applications. The boarding school licensing bill, which includes a proposed one-year implementation extension, is awaiting a committee vote. Private...
School Environmental Health & Safety Rule Project
WFIS continues working on the State Board of Health Technical Advisory Committee to update School Environmental Health and Safety Rules. Last week, the group reviewed all public comment submissions, which was laborious but worthwhile. SBOH has outlined the most recent...
DOH’s Respiratory Virus Illness Guidance one-pager
DOH has published the Respiratory Virus Illness Guidance One-Pager (PDF) that summarizes the agency's existing COVID-19 and another respiratory virus webpage and replaces older COVID-19 Decision Tree for the general public, schools, and child care. The one-pager (PDF)...
Clock Hour Provider Application with PESB
The 2025-26 clock-hour provider application must be completed by May 31, 2025 for the year starting October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The Professional Educators Standards Board will receive and process...
About our work
WFIS representatives work with State Agencies, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), The Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), The Department of Health (DOH), and others to advocate for the particular needs of private schools.
WFIS representatives communicate regularly with WFIS leadership and member schools so that dialogue includes the needs of private schools.
WFIS works directly with the executive directors of the accreditation organizations in Washington to protect the integrity of accreditation and our schools. We refer to these leaders as “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, and reading and contributing to legislation to ensure private schools are considered when law is crafted and passed.