Why Some New York Private Schools Choose Their Own Standards
Families are often surprised to learn that New York’s public-school requirements do not automatically apply to every school serving children in the state. Independent, religious, and other nonpublic schools may follow different academic frameworks, assessment systems, and graduation practices.
That difference does not mean private schools operate without state oversight. New York requires nonpublic schools to provide instruction that is substantially equivalent to the education offered in public schools. However, substantial equivalency is a broad requirement, rather than a mandate to copy every public-school standard or examination.
For parents, the distinction matters when comparing schools, reviewing test results, or deciding whether a child’s education reflects the family’s priorities. It also explains why some private schools do not use the Common Core State Standards or routinely administer New York State tests.
Public Standards And Private-School Independence
The Common Core was adopted as a framework for public education, with New York later revising and renaming its standards as the Next Generation Learning Standards. Public schools generally align classroom instruction, curriculum materials, and state assessments with those standards.
Private schools have greater authority to select their own academic approach. A school may use a classical curriculum, a Montessori model, a college-preparatory sequence, a religious program, or standards developed by an independent organization. Its courses can emphasize different books, teaching methods, pacing, and measures of achievement.
What New York Still Requires
A private school cannot simply provide an educational program with no meaningful academic content. State law requires instruction in areas such as English, mathematics, science, history, civics, health, physical education, and other subjects applicable to the student’s grade level.
The state’s substantial-equivalency rule leaves room for variation in how those subjects are taught. A school can meet the requirement through its own curriculum if it offers an education that is broadly comparable in educational value. This allows private institutions to preserve their mission while remaining subject to basic oversight.
Why State Tests May Be Absent
New York State assessments in grades three through eight are primarily designed for public-school accountability and statewide reporting. Nonpublic schools are generally not required to administer those exams to every student. They may instead use teacher-created tests, nationally normed assessments, portfolio reviews, oral examinations, or other internal measures.
Some private schools voluntarily give state tests because the results help families compare performance, support transfers, or monitor academic progress. Others avoid them because they believe standardized testing narrows instruction, creates unnecessary pressure, or does not fit their educational philosophy.
| Feature | Public School | Private School |
|---|---|---|
| Core academic framework | Usually aligned with New York standards | May use an independent or religious framework |
| Grades 3–8 state tests | Generally administered as required | Often optional for the school |
| Classroom assessments | Teacher and state assessments | School-selected assessments |
| Graduation pathway | May include Regents requirements | May offer its own diploma or use Regents exams |
| Accountability | Public reporting and state oversight | State oversight plus school policies and accreditation |
Regents Exams And Graduation Choices
The absence of routine state testing does not mean a private-school student can never take a Regents examination. Many private high schools offer Regents courses and exams, especially when students plan to apply to colleges or want a New York State diploma pathway.
Other schools award a diploma based on their own graduation requirements. Those requirements may include advanced coursework, senior projects, comprehensive examinations, community service, or a portfolio. Families should examine whether the diploma meets the expectations of colleges, scholarship programs, athletic associations, or future schools.
A private school may also choose a blended model. For example, it might use its own curriculum in elementary grades, offer selected Regents courses in high school, and use standardized assessments only when they serve a specific academic purpose.
What This Means For Families
School independence can be valuable, but it also places more responsibility on parents. A school’s claim that it does not use Common Core or state tests does not, by itself, reveal whether students are meeting appropriate academic benchmarks. Families should ask how reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies are sequenced and evaluated.
Parents should also clarify how the school handles learning disabilities, testing accommodations, transfers, high school credits, and college preparation. A school with no state-test requirement may still have rigorous assessments, while a school that offers Regents exams may use a curriculum that differs substantially from the public-school sequence.
Practical Steps For Comparing Schools
Before enrolling, request written information rather than relying on broad descriptions of a school’s philosophy. The following steps can make comparisons more useful:
- Ask which academic standards guide each grade and subject.
- Request examples of assessments, report cards, and student work.
- Confirm whether the school offers Regents exams or another recognized graduation pathway.
- Check how the school supports students who transfer into public school or apply to college.
- Ask how it documents substantial equivalency and responds to state oversight.
Families who want broader information about testing, student privacy, education policy, and local action can explore New Yorkers United for Kids, a grassroots resource for parents, educators, and concerned citizens.
Support Informed Education Choices
Understanding the legal distinction between public requirements and private-school discretion helps families evaluate schools on evidence rather than assumptions. It also keeps the conversation focused on curriculum quality, student well-being, educational freedom, and meaningful accountability.
Review a school’s standards, assessments, and graduation policies before making a decision, then share reliable information with other parents and community members. Staying informed and participating in local education advocacy can help New York families protect thoughtful choices for every child.