VCPE Mission Statement

The mission of the Virginia Council of Private Education is to promote and support private education through accreditation and advocacy.

Approved October 2, 2006

VCPE History

The Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) was organized in 1974 as the Virginia affiliate of the Council for American Private Education ( CAPE), which has headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The VCPE role in approving appropriate accreditation processes for private schools in the Commonwealth evolved through a long standing relationship with the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE). The VBOE transferred accreditation oversight for private schools to the VCPE in 1985. Full approval was granted on July 1, 1987.. In November of 1993, the VBOE reconfirmed its relationship with VCPE in the form of a resolution. The 2000 General Assembly passed language granting oversight of nonpublic school accreditation to VCPE in §22.1-19 of the Code of Virginia. In September 2003, the VCPE Board of Directors determined, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), that VCPE was also responsible for comprehensive Distance Education schools. In 2009, the General Assembly passed HJR 843 commending the VCPE on the occasion of its thirty-fifth anniversary.

Many private schools in Virginia believe it is desirable to seek accreditation as a means of strengthening their programs and facilities and assuring the public that the published purpose and philosophy of a school are being fulfilled.

Seventeen different associations currently comprise the 2009-2010 VCPE membership. Thirteen of these associations have VCPE approved accreditation processes that are in turn, recognized by the Virginia Board of Education. All VCPE member associations must be non-profit and have a racially nondiscriminatory membership policy.

VCPE, while recognizing and encouraging a diversity of beliefs, a variety of educational philosophies, and the independence of each member association, strives to represent and speak on educational issues of common concern and interest. VCPE is committed to the preservation of pluralism in American education and to the right of parents to choose an education appropriate for their children. To ensure and promote the vitality that freedom of choice allows, VCPE makes known to the public the aims and goals to which its member organizations jointly subscribe.

VCPE monitors legislation affecting private schools. VCPE is available to members of the legislature, to the VBOE, and to the VDOE to furnish information about and to articulate the private school viewpoint on educational matters relating to the private sector. It also serves as a vehicle through which the public school viewpoint may be conveyed to the nonpublic school constituency.