Qualified Independent Schools

Qualified Independent Schools receive funding of 50% of the provincial per student average based on the actual number of eligible school-aged students registered in the school. Only those students who are Saskatchewan residents are eligible for funding.

Kindergarten students attending both a public and a Qualified Independent School fall under the eligible enrolment of the public school and aren't eligible for funding in the Qualified Independent School.

To plan for the upcoming school year, the ministry needs an estimate of student enrolment. Enrolment data must be provided to the Ministry of Education by September 30th.

Independent schools that are eligible for the designation of Qualified Independent Schools include those that:

• Have lawfully operated as a registered independent school for at least two consecutive school years immediately prior to applying for a Certificate of Qualification;
• Are owned or operated by a non-profit corporation that is incorporated or continued in Saskatchewan that must not conduct any business, carry on any other activity or exercise any power other than for the ownership, governance, administration, management and operation of the school;
• Conform to provincial curriculum policy, as determined by the minister;
• Provide approved programs and approved courses of study in accordance with provincial curriculum policy, as determined by the minister; and
• Employ only those teachers who hold a valid Professional 'A' Teacher's Certificate issued pursuant to The Registered Teachers' Act.

They also agree to:

• Submit financial statements to the ministry, as directed by the minister;
• Be supervised and inspected by ministry officials; and
• Comply with ministry policies and directives.

In addition, the independent school must:

• Subscribe to the Goals of Education for Saskatchewan as determined by the minister; and
• Not have an associate school agreement with a board of education.

Schools that choose to apply to become a Qualified Independent School must provide information about their curriculum to make sure that it fits into Saskatchewan's provincial curricula.

For each grade and subject offered at the school, the school is required to show how it is meeting the provincial curricular outcomes and objectives. Schools will receive more information about this process once they submit their application.

Schools already designated as Qualified Independent Schools aren't required to reapply.

Once a school submits an application to become a Qualified Independent School, staff from the Ministry of Education evaluates the application and supporting curriculum documents.

The ministry will contact the school about the status of their application.

To be considered eligible as a Qualified Independent School, please complete one application per school seeking designation.

Send an original signed copy of the application and supporting documents to:

Ministry of Education
Independent Schools & Home-based Education
Programs Branch
409A Park Street
Regina, SK S4N 5B2
programsed@gov.sk.ca

The Ministry of Education will not consider applications received after December 31. The ministry will also not accept incomplete applications.