The California Association of Private School Organizations is the voice of K-12 private education in California. Its primary mission is to preserve the independence of California’s private schools and to uphold parental choice in education.
The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) is the voice of K-12 private education in California. Its primary mission is to preserve the independence of California’s private schools and to uphold parental choice in education. CAPSO, independently, and in collaboration with other community and governmental institutions, is an advocate, catalyst, and creative leader for strengthening and advancing K-12 private education in California.
CAPSO’s mission is based on the belief that a healthy, pluralistic society depends upon educational options, parental choice, and dialogue and collaboration between educational entities.
MISSION STATEMENT
Why CAPSO Matters
The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) is the voice of TK–12 private education in California. Representing the vast majority of private school students in the state through a diverse coalition of member organizations,
CAPSO works to protect the independence of private schools, uphold parental choice, and strengthen educational pluralism in California.
CAPSO serves as a trusted advocate, resource, and connector for private school leaders by:
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Lobbying the California Legislature and engaging with state agencies on issues impacting private schools
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Representing California private schools nationally as California’s state affiliate to the Council for American Private Education (CAPE)
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Monitoring and responding to state and federal legislation affecting private education
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Advocating for policies that respect private school autonomy and support students and families
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Providing guidance, training, and resources on operational and educational issues
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Connecting schools with member services, strategic partnerships, and professional learning opportunities
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Building collaborative relationships with policymakers, educational agencies, and national partners
Why does CAPSO matter? Because private schools matter. California families deserve meaningful educational options, and strong private schools contribute to a vibrant and diverse educational landscape. CAPSO ensures that the voice of private education is represented thoughtfully, collaboratively, and effectively in conversations shaping the future of education in California.
Priorities
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Legislative Advocacy
The Association recognizes that a primary purpose of legislation is to broaden community access to educational options, particularly in those circumstances that would otherwise constrain or preclude such opportunity. Legislation should always view the child as its beneficiary, rather than a school, or category of schools. Such legislation should not be designed with the intent to increase or decrease funding for one category of schools at the expense of another.
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Unanimity
The Association, while recognizing and encouraging a diversity of beliefs, a variety of educational philosophies, and the independence of each member, strives to represent and speak on educational and public policy issues of common concern and interest. CAPSO will only lobby in matters that have unanimous support from all member organizations. Member organizations are free to independently lobby and engage with legislation as they wish.
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Protections for Pluralism
The Association is committed to the preservation of pluralism in American education. To assure and encourage the vitality that freedom of choice fosters, the Association makes known to the public of this state the aims, ideals, and goals to which the member organizations jointly subscribe. CAPSO prioritizes matters that reinforce the liberty of parental choice in education and the operational freedoms that underscore choice in the non-public school landscape.