Private School Universe Survey (PSS) 2023-24 Data Collection, and 2023-24 and 2025-26 PSS Frame Development Activities

Private School Universe Survey
(PSS) 2023-24 Data Collection, and
2023-24 and 2025-26 PSS Frame
Development Activities
Appendix D
PSS 2023-24 Survey
OMB# 1850-0641 v.15
Submitted by
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education

January 2022
revised June 2023

15113012

PRIVATE SCHOOL SURVEY
2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

Please note:
The 2023-24 Private School Survey is intended to include all -

▲

Private schools that teach ANY of the following –
•
•
•
•

At least one grade from 1 to 12
Ungraded students from 5 to 18 years old
Kindergarten - traditional year of school primarily for 5-year-olds prior to first grade
Transitional (or readiness) kindergarten - extra year of school for kindergarten-age children
who are judged not ready for kindergarten

•

Transitional first (or prefirst) grade - extra year of school for children who have attended
kindergarten but have been judged not ready for first grade

▲

Private early childhood programs and day care centers that have
ANY of the following –
• Kindergarten
• Transitional (or readiness) kindergarten
• Transitional first (or prefirst) grade
For example:
An early childhood center that has a nursery school, a prekindergarten program, and a kindergarten
would be eligible for this survey, since it includes a kindergarten.
But an early childhood center that has a nursery school and a prekindergarten program ONLY
would NOT be eligible for this survey, since it does not include kindergarten. You would mark
box 2 in item 2b.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH ITEM 1 ON PAGE 3.

Conducted by:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS
FORM PSS-1
(04-10-2023) D5

Administered by:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

OMB No. 1850-0641: Approval Expires 06/30/2025

15113020

DEAR ADMINISTRATOR:
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education requests your participation
in the 2023-24 Private School Survey, a national data collection valuable to private schools across the country. The
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education, is authorized to conduct
this survey by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543).
WHY IS MY SCHOOL’S RESPONSE IMPORTANT?
Private education is a critical part of the U.S. education system. Without accurate information about the nation’s
private schools, policy makers have an incomplete picture of education more broadly and cannot make effective
decisions on a range of important issues including those around the topic of school choice. A response to this survey
ensures that YOUR school is represented in key data and reports produced by the National Center for Education
Statistics about private education and school choice. The National Center for Education Statistics is the primary
source of statistical information on education for the country. Your school’s response is needed to provide a complete
picture of U.S. educational institutions.
HOW DOES THIS HELP MY SCHOOL?
The Private School Survey is used to generate an NCES ID number for your school which many private and federal
grants require as part of their application process. NCES also uses the survey to update the private school search
tool on our web site: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/. This resource is used by parents looking to
find a private school for their children. Importantly, your response to this survey ensures that your school’s voice will
be heard in policy decisions.
WHAT ARE RESULTS FROM PREVIOUS SURVEYS?
NCES produces summaries of the data that help parents, educators and policy makers understand the current state
of education in the United States. For example, results from previous Private School Surveys show that
approximately 23 percent of all elementary and secondary schools in the United States are private institutions; these
schools enroll approximately 8 percent of the nation’s children and employ 13 percent of the nation’s teachers. In
addition to the reports that NCES produces, researchers use the data in their own studies of private schools and
policy makers use the data to inform decisions.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT RESPOND?
There is no penalty for not responding. However, if you do not respond, your school, teachers, and the students you
serve will be missing from the education picture. A high response rate is very important to make sure the data
represent the private education sector accurately. Accurate representation of the private education sector is critical to
the design and interpretation of education research for governmental, university based, and private research. The
Private School Survey is used to generate an NCES ID number for your school which many private and federal
grants require as part of their application process. Your response to this survey ensures your school retains this
NCES ID and is listed on the NCES site. We encourage you to participate in this voluntary survey.
WHERE SHOULD YOU MAIL YOUR COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE?
Please return your completed questionnaire using the enclosed envelope. If you do not have the return envelope,
please mail your questionnaire to:
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
ATTN: DCB 60A
1201 E. 10TH STREET
JEFFERSONVILLE, IN 47132-0001
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT EFFORT.
SINCERELY,

PEGGY CARR
COMMISSIONER
NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (NCES)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Paperwork Burden Statement
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays
a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this voluntary information collection is 1850-0641. The time required
to complete this information collection is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search
existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments
concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this collection, or comments or concerns about the contents
or the status of your individual submission of this questionnaire, please e-mail: pss@census.gov, or write directly to: Private School
Survey (PSS), National Center for Education Statistics, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street SW, Room #4010, Washington, DC
20202.
FORM PSS-1

2

15113038

1.

Please print your name, title, school telephone number, and school email.
050

051

YOUR NAME
SCHOOL
TELEPHONE
NUMBER

2a.

052

–

SCHOOL
EMAIL

–

MM

Yes

1

DD

101

YYYY

102

103

No - Please record the ➔
date when closed.

2

➔ GO TO item 3 below.

Are there any grades K to 12 or comparable ungraded levels taught by this institution or
organization?
115
1
Yes ➔ Which grades?
Mark (X) all that apply, then GO TO item 2c below.
059
055
063
067
2
No
1
1
1
1
Kindergarten
4th
8th
12th
056

060

1st

1

5th

061

2nd

1

6th

062

3rd

1

068
1

9th

1

10th

1

11th

1

Ungraded

065
1

058

(1)

064
1

057

066
1

7th

Which of the following describes the reason(s) this institution or organization
does NOT teach any of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels?
Mark (X) all that apply, then GO TO item 3 below.
075
1

Adult education or postsecondary education

1

Tutoring program or before and after school program

1

Prekindergarten, nursery school, early childhood center, or day care center

1

Other - Please describe. ➔

076
077

078

c.

053

Is this institution or organization still in operation?
100

b.

TITLE

079

Is this a private school or program? For this survey, all non-public elementary or secondary schools
are considered private schools.
For example, Roman Catholic schools, Hebrew day schools, Lutheran schools, private boarding
schools, nonsectarian private schools, private schools that provide special education services to public
school districts, private schools that receive tuition for some students from public school districts.

130

1

Yes

2

No ➔

Which of the following best describes your school or program?
Mark (X) only one box, then GO TO item 3 below.
132
1

Public school, including public charter, state-run, Bureau of
Indian Education, or Department of Defense school

2

Other ➔ Please describe the type of school or program.

C

131

3.

If you marked "No" for any of items 2a-c, do not complete this questionnaire. Please return it
in the enclosed envelope. If you do not have the return envelope, mail your questionnaire to:
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
ATTN: DCB 60A
1201 E. 10TH STREET
JEFFERSONVILLE, IN 47132-0001
If you marked "Yes" for all of items 2a-c above, continue with item 4 on page 4.
FORM PSS-1

3

15113046

INSTRUCTIONS
The data you enter on this form will be captured through the use of imaging technology. Please print all
information clearly in ordinary characters, using a black ballpoint pen.
CORRECT marking example (Use care to keep characters
in their designated spaces.)

INCORRECT marking example -

35
1

2

x

Yes

1

No

2

35
X

35

Yes

1

Yes

2

No

OR

No

a. If you are unsure about how to answer a question, please give the best answer you can rather than
leaving it blank.
b. If you have any questions, call the U.S. Census Bureau at 1-888-329-5890. Someone will be available
to take your call Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Ungraded levels. The term "ungraded levels" refers to schools that classify students by an alternative
means other than particular grade levels (e.g., Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, etc.).
Report only for the school or program named on the front of this questionnaire. The term "school" will be
used for the school or program throughout the survey.

4.

Around October 1, 2023, how many students were enrolled in each of the following grade
levels?
Do NOT include postsecondary or adult education students, or children who are enrolled only
in day care at this school.
In column (1), mark (X) ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for each grade level.
In column (2), record the number of students for each grade level with ‘Yes’ marked in column (1).
(1)
(2)
Does this school
Number of
have students in
students in this
Grade levels
this grade?
grade
135

a. Ungraded (including ungraded special
education students)

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

145

140

,
150

b. Nursery and prekindergarten
155

c. Kindergarten (traditional year of school
primarily for 5-year-olds prior to first grade)
d. Transitional (or readiness) kindergarten (extra
year of school for kindergarten-age children
who are judged not ready for kindergarten)

e. Transitional first (or prefirst) grade (extra
year of school for children who have attended
kindergarten but have been judged not ready
for first grade)

165

175

,
160

,
170

,

180

,

15113053

4.

Continued – Around October 1, 2023, how many students were enrolled in each of the following
grade levels?
(1)
(2)
Does
this
school
Number
of
Grade levels
have students in
students in this
this grade?
grade
185
1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

1

Yes ➔

2

No

f. 1st
195

g. 2nd
205

h. 3rd
215

i. 4th
225

j. 5th
235

k. 6th
245

l. 7th
255

m. 8th
265

n. 9th
275

o. 10th
285

p. 11th
295

q. 12th
5.

4

Around October 1, 2023, what was the total number of students
enrolled in this school?
Please sum lines 4(a) through 4(q).

FORM
FORM PSS-1
PSS-1

190

,
200

,
210

,
220

,
230

,
240

,
250

,
260

,
270

,
280

,
290

,
300

,
305

,
Enrolled students

5

15113061

6.

Around October 1, 2023, how many students enrolled in grades K-12 and comparable
ungraded levels are –
Do NOT include nursery, prekindergarten, postsecondary, or adult education students.
Do NOT include children who are enrolled only in day care at this school.
Mark ‘None’ if there are no students in this school of a given racial and ethnic origin.

a. Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race?
320
0

None or

K-12 students

,

b. White, not of Hispanic or Latino origin?
330
0

None or

K-12 students

,

c. Black or African American, not of Hispanic or Latino origin?
325
0

None or

K-12 students

,

d. Asian, not of Hispanic or Latino origin?
316
0

None or

K-12 students

,

e. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, not of Hispanic or Latino origin?
318
0

None or

K-12 students

,

f. American Indian or Alaska Native, not of Hispanic or Latino origin?
310
0

None or

K-12 students

,

g. Two or more races, not of Hispanic or Latino origin?
332
0

7a.

None or

K-12 students

,

Is this school coeducational?
335

b.

1

Yes

2

No, it is an all-female school

3

No, it is an all-male school

}

GO TO item 8a on page 7.

Around October 1, 2023, how many students enrolled in K-12 and comparable ungraded
levels are MALE?
Do NOT include nursery, prekindergarten, postsecondary, or adult education students.
Do NOT include children who are enrolled only in day care at this school.
Mark ’None’ if there are no male students enrolled in this school.
340
0

None or

,

Male students

15113079

8a.

During the LAST school year (2022-23), were any students enrolled in 12th grade?
345

b.

1

Yes

2

No ➔

GO TO item 9a below.

How many students were enrolled in 12th grade around October 1, 2022?
350

12th graders

,

c.

How many students graduated from the 12th grade with a diploma LAST school year (2022-23)?
Include 2023 summer graduates.
Do not include students who received only vocational certificates, certificates of attendance, or
certificates of completion.
Mark ’None’ if no students graduated from the 12th grade with a diploma LAST school year.
355

None ➔ GO TO item 9a below.

0

Graduates LAST school year

,

d.

Of those who graduated with a diploma LAST school year (2022-23), approximately what
percentage went to four-year colleges?
Round to the nearest whole percent.
Mark ’None’ if no students who graduated LAST school year went to a four-year college.
360
0

9a.

or

%

% of graduates who went to four-year colleges

How long is the school day for a kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, or transitional
first grade student?
Mark (X) only one box.
365

{
b.

None

0

School does not offer kindergarten, transitional
kindergarten, or transtional first grade ➔

1

Full day (4 hours or more per day)

2

Half day (less than 4 hours per day)

3

Both offered

GO TO instructions for
item 10 at top of page 8.

How many days are in a TYPICAL SCHOOL WEEK for kindergarten, transitional kindergarten,
or transitional first grade students in this school?
If the number of days per week varies, record the most days that a student would attend
in a week.
370

Days per typical school week

6

FORM PSS-1
PSS-1
FORM

7

15113087

INSTRUCTIONS AND AN EXAMPLE FOR ITEM 10
In item 10, we ask for the number of teachers for grades K-12 and/or comparable ungraded levels
by the amount of time they teach at THIS school.
Example:
The following is an example to illustrate how to report teachers in this item for a school that
includes prekindergarten through grade 8.
If this school has eight full-time teachers for grades 1-8, one full-time teacher who teaches
kindergarten ½ time and prekindergarten ½ time, a music teacher who teaches two days each
week, a physical education teacher who teaches three days each week, and a teaching principal
who teaches one 30 -minute class each day, you would complete item 10 as follows:
None or

0

0

0

✗

8

None or

None or

Teach full-time

Teach at least ¾ time but less than full time

2

Teach at least ½ time but less than ¾ time
This number includes the one full-time teacher who teaches
kindergarten ½ time and prekindergarten ½ time. The time he or
she spends teaching prekindergarten is not counted in item 10.
This number also includes the physical education teacher who
teaches three days a week.

0

None or

1

Teach at least ¼ time but less than ½ time
This includes the music teacher who teaches two days a week.

0

None or

1

Teach less than ¼ time
This includes the principal who teaches one 30-minute class each
day. The time he or she spends working as a principal is not
included in item 10.

12

TOTAL TEACHERS

15113095

10.

Around October 1, 2023, how many persons were teaching in grades K-12 and/or
comparable ungraded levels at this school in the following time categories?
Consider only the amount of time an individual works as a teacher of grades K-12 and comparable
ungraded levels during a typical week at THIS school.
INCLUDE:
• Regular classroom teachers
• Teachers who teach subjects such as music, art, physical education, and special education
• Teaching principals or administrators who teach a regularly scheduled class at this school
DO NOT INCLUDE:
• Teachers who teach ONLY nursery, prekindergarten, postsecondary, or adult education
• Student teachers, teacher aides, day care aides, or short-term substitute teachers
• Counselors, library media specialists or librarians, speech therapists, social workers, or
administrators UNLESS they also teach a regularly scheduled class at THIS school
Mark ’None’ if no person is teaching in a particular time category.
385
0

None or

Teach full-time

0

None or

Teach at least ¾ time but less than full time

0

None or

Teach at least ½ time but less than ¾ time

0

None or

Teach at least ¼ time but less than ½ time

0

None or

Teach less than ¼ time

390

395

400

405

410

TOTAL TEACHERS

11.

Which types of classes are currently available to students at this school?

a. IN-PERSON CLASSES. Classes in which the teacher delivering instruction is in the same
physical space as the students. These classes may offer some online resources (for example,
homework submission, online textbooks, learning management systems [LMS] or supplemental
online programs).
411
1

Yes

2

No

b. VIRTUAL CLASSES. Classes in which the teacher delivering instruction is not in the same
physical space as the students, and students may be in a classroom or in their own homes.
Students and teachers may still meet in person for field trips, school-sponsored social events,
or assessment purposes.
412
1

Yes

2

No

c. HYBRID CLASSES. Classes that include a COMBINATION of in-person instruction and virtual
instruction.
413

8

1

Yes

2

No
FORM PSS-1
PSS-1
FORM

9

15113103

12.

Which of the following best describes this school?
Mark (X) only one box.
415
1

REGULAR school - elementary or secondary

2

MONTESSORI school
SPECIAL PROGRAM EMPHASIS school - such as a science or math school, performing
arts school, talented or gifted school, world language immersion school, etc.

3

SPECIAL EDUCATION school - primarily serves students with disabilities

4

CAREER/TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL school - primarily serves students being trained
for occupations

5

7

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM OR DAY CARE CENTER - such as kindergarten only,
prekindergarten and kindergarten only, kindergarten and transitional first grade only,
day care and transitional kindergarten only, etc.

6

ALTERNATIVE/OTHER school – offers a curriculum designed to provide alternative or
nontraditional education; does not specifically fall into the categories of regular, special
program emphasis, special education, or vocational school – Please describe. C
416

13a. Is a major role of this school to support homeschooling?
420
1

Yes

2

No

b. Is this school located in a private home that is used primarily as a family residence?
425
1

Yes

2

No

14a. Does this school have a religious orientation or purpose?
430
1

Yes

2

No ➔ GO TO item 15 on page 12.

b. Is this school affiliated with a religious organization or institution?
435
1

Yes

2

No

15113111

14c. What is this school’s religious orientation or affiliation?
Mark (X) only one box.
440

Is this school –
Mark (X) only one box.

1

Roman Catholic

2

African Methodist Episcopal

3

445
1

Parochial (or inter-parochial)

Amish

2

Diocesan

4

Assembly of God

3

Private

5

Baptist

6

Brethren

7

Calvinist

8

Christian (no specific denomination)

9

Church of Christ

10

Church of God

11

Church of God in Christ

12

Church of the Nazarene

13

Disciples of Christ

14

Episcopal

15

Friends

16

Greek Orthodox

17

Islamic

18

Jewish

19

Latter Day Saints

20

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

21

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (formerly AELC, ALC, or LCA)

22

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

23

Other Lutheran

24

Mennonite

25

Methodist

26

Pentecostal

27

Presbyterian

28

Seventh-Day Adventist

29

Other - Specify

C

441

10

FORM
FORM PSS-1
PSS-1

11

15113129

15.

To which of the following associations or organizations does this school belong?
Mark (X) all that apply.
450

This school or program does NOT belong to ANY associations or organizations

1

RELIGIOUS
455
1

Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) (or School of Tomorrow)

1

Agudath Israel of America (AIA)

1

American Association of Christian Schools (AACS)

1

Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)

1

Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS)

1

Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS)

1

Christian Schools International (CSI)

1

Council of Islamic Schools in North America (CISNA)

1

Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA)

1

Friends Council on Education (FCE)

1

General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (GCSDAC)

1

Islamic School League of America (ISLA)

1

Jesuit Schools Network (JSN)

1

National Alliance of Christian Schools (NACS)

1

National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES)

1

National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)

1

National Christian School Association (NCSA)

1

National Society for Hebrew Day Schools (Torah Umesorah)

1

Oral Roberts University Educational Fellowship (ORUEF)

1

Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools (PRIZMAH)

1

Other religious school association(s) – Specify C

458
460
465
467
468
470
475
480
485
490
492
495
530
500
505
510
515
520
523
535
536

15113137

15.

Continued - To which of the following associations or organizations does this school belong?
Mark (X) all that apply.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS
540
1

American Montessori Society (AMS)

1

Association Montessori International (AMI)

1

Other Montessori association(s)

1

Association of Military Colleges and Schools (AMCS)

1

Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)

1

National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC)

1

Other association(s) for exceptional children

1

European Council for International Schools (ECIS)

1

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

1

National Association of Laboratory Schools (NALS)

1

National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS)

1

Other special emphasis association(s) – Specify C

542
545
550
555
575
580
585
590
600
602
605
606

OTHER SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS OR ORGANIZATIONS
610
1

Alternative School Network (ASN)

1

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

1

State or regional independent school association

1

National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA)

1

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)

1

Other school association(s) – Specify

620
622
630
635
640

C

641

FORM PSS-1

13

15113145

16.

How many days are in the SCHOOL YEAR for students in this school?
645

Days per school year

17.

How long is the SCHOOL DAY for students in this school?
Report BOTH hours and minutes, e.g., 06 hours and 00 minutes, 05 hours and 45 minutes, etc.
If the length of day varies by grade level, record the longest day.
650

655

Hours

18.

Minutes

Does this school have a library media center?
A library media center is an organized collection of printed and/or audiovisual and/or computer
resources which is administered as a unit, is located in a designated place or places, and makes
resources and services available to students, teachers, and administrators. A library media center
may be called a school library, media center, resource center, information center, instructional
materials center, learning resource center, or any other similar name.
660

19.

AND

1

Yes

2

No

Please enter the date you completed this questionnaire.
MM
670

DD
671

YYYY
672

15113152

20.

Please verify this school name and mailing address that are printed below.
If any part of the name and mailing address is incorrect, enter the correction(s), as necessary,
in the appropriate space(s) below.
School name

700

Mailing address
701

City
702

State

ZIP Code + 4
704

703

–

21a. Is the physical or street address of this school the same as the mailing address?
705
1

Yes

2

No

b. Please print this school’s physical or street address.
Street
706

City
707

State
708

ZIP Code
709

Thank you for participating in this important survey.
Your time and effort are appreciated.
Please return the questionnaire in the enclosed envelope.
If you do not have the return envelope, mail your questionnaire to:
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
ATTN: DCB 60A
1201 E. 10TH STREET
JEFFERSONVILLE, IN 47132-0001

14

FORM PSS-1
PSS-1
FORM

15

15113160

To learn more about the Private School Survey
(PSS) and to access reports from earlier
collections, see the PSS website at:
https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss
Additional data collected by the National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES) on
a variety of topics in elementary,
secondary, postsecondary, and
international education are available
from NCES’ website at:
https://nces.ed.gov
For additional data collected by various
Federal agencies, including the
Department of Education, visit the
Federal Statistics clearinghouse at:
https://www.fedstats.gov

OFFICE USE ONLY

FR Code: