The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) is a consortium of twenty-four pre-collegiate schools representing the majority of private students in California, committed to the preservation of pluralism in American education and to the right of parents to choose an education appropriate for their own children. 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.
WhatWeDo
LobbyforExclusion
CAPSO lobbies the California legislature to ensure that private schools are excluded from restrictive or costly legislation that would limit mission-drive operations and instruction.
LobbyforInclusion
CAPSO lobbies the California legislature and the US Department of Education* to ensure that private schools have access to appropriate state and federal programs and resources for students and staff
PromotePrivateSchoolInterests
CAPSO promotes the interests of private schools by proactively representing the diversity of private school students and programs to the California legislature
Overview
Membership
24 member organizations, sectarian and non-sectarian
80% of all private school students attend a CAPSO member school 1400+ schools
370,000+ students
Exclusive to California private schools
Representation
~ 8% of all California students are in a CAPSO private school Largest non-CAPSO private school group is homeschools CAPSO is an affiliate of CAPE*, the Council for American Private Education
LegislativePriorities
Preserve private school freedoms
Protect pluralism in California education
Ensure equitable access for private school students/staff
UnanimityPrinciple
CAPSO only pursues matters that have unanimous support from all member organizations
The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) is the voice of K-12 private education in California
The 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.
ABOUT CAPSO
CAPSO is committed to the preservation of pluralism in American education and to the right of parents to choose an education appropriate for their own children. 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.
Mission Statement
The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) is the voice of K-12 private education in California. The 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.
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Dept. of Catholic Schools
Archdiocese of San Francisco, Dept. of Catholic Schools
Association of Christian Schools International
Association of Waldorf Schools of North America – California Division
BJE - Builders of Jewish Education
California Association of Independent Schools
California Association of Private, Special Education Schools
California Catholic Conference
Christian Schools International, District VIII
Diocese of Fresno, Education Corporation
Diocese of Monterey
Diocese of Oakland, Dept. of Catholic Schools
Diocese of Orange
Diocese of Sacramento
Diocese of San Bernardino
Diocese of San Diego
Diocese of San Jose
Diocese of Santa Rosa
24 member organizations that include over 1400 schools and over 370,000 K-12 students. This equates to approximately 80% of all private school students in California.
Membership Leadership
CAPSO has an Executive Director who operates at the direction of a Board of Directors comprised of leaders from the member organizations.
Unanimity
CAPSO only pursues matters that have unanimous support/agreement from all member organizations.
Diocese of Stockton
Episcopal Diocese of California
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Evangelical Lutheran Education Association
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Pacific Southwest District
Seventh-day Adventists Pacific Union Conference
CONTACT
The voice of private education in California
HIGH STANDARDS AND ACHIEVEMENT
High standards and direct accountability to students and parents produce positive results. Private school students enrolled in both independent and religiously-affiliated schools have demonstrated a longstanding record of outperformance on standardized achievement and college admissions tests. Private school students are more likely to graduate high school, gain admission to four-year institutions of higher education, and demonstrate readiness to succeed, once there. Civic minded, fiscally responsible, socially and philosophically diverse, accountable and high achieving. These are California’s private schools – truly partners in the education of the public.
FAST FACTS
One in every 12 California students enrolled in grades K-12 attends a private school. (516,565 out of 6,369,109, or 8.1%)
PARTNERS IN THE EDUCATION
OF THE PUBLIC
California’s private schools currently educate 516,565 students, or roughly one of every twelve students enrolled in grades K-12. Nearly one of every four K-12 schools in California is a private school. Private schools provide students with knowledge, skills, and values that are essential for productive and responsible participation in a democratic society. Graduates of California’s private schools make significant contributions to every aspect of life in the state, often distinguishing themselves for their social, cultural, economic, scientific, academic, legal, religious, and political achievements and leadership. Whatever their particular orientation, California’s private schools uphold and promote the values of public participation and service to the community.
DIVERSE & PLURALISTIC
Private schools save the people of California more than $9 billion, annually ($17,653 X 516,565), and contribute to the state's economy through the creation of tens of thousands of private sector jobs.
Nearly one of every four K-12 schools in California (3,007 out of 13,016, or 23%) is a private school.
Private schools are subject to health and safety requirements (e.g., pupil immunizations, earthquake preparedness.)
American private education reflects the diversity that is a hallmark of our country’s strength, freedom and creativity. Private schools span the ideological gamut, from Society of Friends (Quaker) schools to military academies, include parochial schools associated with multiple faiths and denominations, and feature an array of nonsectarian schools with differing philosophies of education, visions and missions. Private schools are urban, suburban and rural, large and small, progressive and traditional, religious and secular, independent, and networked in various associations. In short, private schools offer parents and students a broad and meaningful range of educational options.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ECONOMY
What would the cost to California’s taxpayers be if private schools were to disappear?
The state currently spends more than $17,500 for each public school student enrolled in grades K-12. Multiplying this figure by the 516,565 students enrolled in California’s private schools would result in an additional cost to the public of more than $9 billion dollars.
Not only do California’s private schools save taxpayers billions of dollars each year; private school families help foot the bill for public education through their own tax dollars. Moreover, private schools provide tens of thousands of private sector jobs, generate revenue for local businesses and, most importantly, develop the human capital necessary to assure California, and our nation, of a bright economic future.
All private school employees who have contact with students must undergo a criminal record check prior to being hired.
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All private schools are required to file an annual affidavit with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
CAPSO has representation on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Schools, the California Interscholastic Federation’s Federated Council, and is known to both the California Department of Education and USDE.
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