This opinion is issued in response to your request for an opinion from the Attorney General. The law requires mandatory or compulsory attendance of all children between the ages of 7 and 16 years at either a public, private, or church school. The church school notifies the superintendent if a child no longer attends the church school.
Church schools are exempt from regulations or state laws governing public and private schools.
There is no statutory authority authorizing or requiring any state or local authority to regulate church schools, which may conduct classes in any manner they see fit. There is no requirement that church school teachers be certified or that a church school be accredited by the state or any private agency. No state or governmental agency has the authority to regulate a church school. I hope this sufficiently answers your question. If our office can be of further assistance, please contact Jane LeCroy Brannan of my staff.