Heritage schools: enrollment and notice

Heritage schools remain exempt from child care licensing and do not count toward compulsory school attendance. Parents must now be told that the California Department of Education does not regulate or monitor these schools.

What the law does ​

• Expands the heritage-school definition to include children younger than 4 years and 9 months who are enrolled in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, or grades 1 through 12.
• Requires enrollment notices to state that the California Department of Education has no regulatory authority over heritage schools and does not monitor their operations or instruction.
• Retains heritage schools’ exemption from California Department of Social Services child day care licensing when they meet the statutory requirements.

Who it affects ​

• Heritage schools offering world-language, cultural, and related enrichment programs.
• Younger children enrolled in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, or grades 1 through 12 who attend those programs.
• Parents and guardians enrolling children in heritage schools.