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State & Federal Programs

2008-2009 Private School Affidavit

All private school affidavits must now be filed online!

Filing to be completed between October 1-15, 2008.



File now! Visit the CDE's Private School Affidavit page. (To be operational as of 10/1/08)

Must my school file an affidavit?

Private schools in the state of California are required by law to file a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1 and October 15 each year. (California Education Code Section 33190)
Filing the affidavit in a timely manner is critical.

  • The PSA establishes your school's existence in the eyes of the state;

  • The PSA is necessary to legally exempt your school's students from fulfilling the compulsory attendance requirement in a public (government) school (California Education Code Section 48222);

  • The PSA makes your (non-profit) school's students and staff eligible to participate in and benefit from various state and federal programs and services. While actual participation in these programs is voluntary, the option to participate does not exist if a PSA has not been filed;

  • Reporting your schools' enrollment through the filing of the PSA increases benefits available to private school students and staff through various tax-supported programs;

  • The law requires the filing of a PSA.

Will I receive notification from the state?
Yes. The CDE will mail a general notification letter containing instructions for filing the private school affidavit to all private schools that completed PSAs in 2007-08, during the third week in September. Please watch for this letter and read its contents carefully.
What if my school didn't file an affidavit in 2007-08?
Schools that did not file a private school affidavit in 2007-08, but did file an affidavit during the prior year will receive a letter with instructions for filing from the CDE. Schools that have not previously filed will need to file as a "new school" in 2008-09. If your school has been assigned a CDS (County-District-School) identification number from the state, it will remain the same, unless the school has moved.

If you're not sure whether your school possesses a CDS code number, or if you have forgotten your school's CDS code, you can access it at the California School Directory.

Note: Last year, a number of schools affiliated with CAPSO member organizations erroneously indicated that they are constituted on a "for profit" basis. Making this error has serious consequences, as it makes a school's students and teachers ineligible for receipt of services under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Please make certain that the person completing the affidavit understands what it means to possess non-profit status, and completes the pertinent fields appropriately.

For assistance from the CDE...

Please send questions via email to privateschools@cde.ca.gov or or phone the CDE's Elementary Education Office at 916 319-0878.
Please check the CAPSO website for additional affidavit updates!
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