**LBA-R - APPROVAL OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS** **Last Updated Date:** 07/08/2014 **Adoption Date:** 01/10/2006 Consistent with Section 1 of Chapter 76 of Massachusetts General Laws, the School Committee has the responsibility to approve or disapprove private schools for purposes of compliance with the compulsory school attendance law of the Commonwealth. Approval shall be granted when, upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the School Committee is satisfied that the private school's instruction in all the studies required by law equals in thoroughness and efficiency, and in the progress made therein, that provided by the public schools of South Hadley. In no case shall the approval of a private school be denied on account of religious teaching. Procedure                                            Person Responsible                 Documentation Contact the Office of the                    Private School Official           Letter to request approval of the Superintendent of Schools to                                                              private school per M.G.L. initiate the approval process at                                                           Chapter 76, s. l least 45 days in advance. Provide private school officials          Superintendent of Schools      Letter acknowledging request with information and procedures                                                        with copies of Policy LBA, for the evaluation and approval                                                          application for approval of of private schools.                                                                               private schools, and procedures. Complete application for                    Private School Official           Completed application approval of private schools. Review application; in                        Superintendent of Schools      Approval of Private Schools conference with private school                                                           Checklist officials as needed or                                                                          Written record of conference if appropriate.                                                                                         applicable Schedule on-site visit to private          Superintendent of Schools      Letter confirming on-site visit to school; identify South Hadley                                                            private school officials Public Schools evaluation team to include: - Superintendent - Principal/s at       appropriate grade level/s - Other administrator/s as determined by the superintendent Procedure                                            Person Responsible                 Documentation Conduct on-site visit and                    South Hadley Public Schools Approval of Private Schools interviews at private school                Evaluation Team with input   Checklist                                                             from Private School Officials Other documentation compiled                                                                                                             during on-site visit Meet with private school officials      Superintendent of Schools      Completed Checklist for as needed to complete                                                                         Approval of Private Schools checklist; advise private school officials of recommendation to School Committee Submit recommendation and              Superintendent of Schools      Letter to private school officials associated documentation to the                                                         to provide notice regarding date School Committee for action                                                              of School Committee meeting                                                                                                             and recommendation, including                                                                                                             completed checklist. Request hearing with School              Private School Officials          Letter to superintendent Committee, if desired.                        requesting hearing Schedule and conduct hearing            School Committee                  Minutes of meeting with private school officials, if requested Grant or deny approval of                  School Committee                  Minutes of Meeting private school                                                                                      Letter to Private School Officials                                                                                                             regarding approval/ disapproval,                                                                                                             citing reasons for action