The 2023 legislation placing Washington’s boarding schools under the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) remains problematic. While DCYF officials cite the potential for student mistreatment, there have been no documented incidents at state-approved boarding schools—quite the opposite. Private boarding schools have been educating and keeping students safe for, in some cases, a century without the support of State agencies. Meanwhile, DCYF itself has faced scrutiny, with the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds investigating numerous complaints about the agency’s handling of its core responsibilities.
The State Board of Education (SBE) is working toward a more effective solution: recognizing accreditation from established accrediting organizations as meeting state licensing requirements. This framework would maintain rigorous health, safety, and welfare standards while eliminating redundant oversight—aligning with state policy to minimize government interference in private education.
Given the boarding schools’ proven commitment to the well-being of students and staff, an accreditation-based oversight model offers a far more effective way to ensure student welfare.
The SBE’s upcoming review of “Residential Private School” definitions is an opportunity to establish clear oversight that respects student safety and institutional autonomy. As this process progresses, the evidence strongly suggests that recognized accreditation bodies, rather than DCYF, offer the most appropriate mechanism for ensuring boarding school quality and student welfare.
