Approved Independent schools in Vermont are regulated by the state. They have to apply to the state to become “Approved” and eligible to accept tuition payments from towns.
- They are overseen by a Board of Trustees
- They decide curriculum, staffing and school calendar
- They must meet several state regulations that cover the safety of children
- They are allowed to set an admissions policy, but are not required to
- They are allowed to determine which student population they can best serve
- They are allowed to engage parents as part of the classroom and curriculum
- 2/3ds of all Independent schools in VT serve ONLY special needs kids
- They do not answer to a Supervisory Union
- They do not answer to the local School Board
- They DO answer to the parents of the students
- They hire and fire employees like any private employer – it is performance based
- They can serve children with 504 plans
- They can serve children with IEPs (if they either seek certification, or they are willing to allow SU personnel to serve those children in the school)
- They can recruit and train staff to their own satisfaction
- They function independently of most of the regulations imposed on public schools dealing with curriculum and staffing
- They may cost more to run than the current State Average Announced Tuition amount, and may need to request additional funding from taxpayers.