Frequently Asked Questions

A private day placement provides individualized academic and therapeutic services during the school day. Students return home with their family or guardian each afternoon. Facilities offering private day programs often serve students with disabilities, behavioral health needs, autism spectrum disorders, emotional disabilities, or other specialized learning needs.

A residential placement provides both educational services and 24-hour residential care. Students live at the facility while attending the educational program and receive additional supervision, counseling, life skills instruction, and therapeutic supports outside of school hours.

Some residential facilities also operate a separate private day program.

• Students in residential placements live at the facility and attend the educational program during the day.
• Students in private day placements attend the educational program but return home each afternoon.
• Students may share classrooms, teachers, and educational services while receiving different living arrangements.

No. VAISEF accredits the educational program provided by member schools. Residential services, including housing, overnight care, treatment, and residential operations, are licensed and regulated by other state agencies and are not included within VAISEF's accreditation process.

During accreditation, peer reviewers evaluate:

• Educational leadership
• Curriculum and instruction
• Student learning
• Assessment practices
• Qualified personnel
• Student support services
• Continuous school improvement
• Governance and organizational effectiveness

The focus is on educational quality and continuous improvement.

VAISEF reviews the educational experience, including classroom instruction, academic programming, individualized educational services, student supports provided during the school day, school leadership, and educational outcomes. Residential care is evaluated separately by the agencies responsible for licensing residential services.

Residential programs are licensed and monitored by state agencies responsible for health, behavioral health, and residential care. These agencies evaluate residential staffing, health and safety, living conditions, medication management, residential treatment services, and licensing compliance.

Educational accreditation demonstrates that a school has voluntarily participated in a rigorous peer-review process focused on continuous improvement and educational excellence. Accreditation helps ensure that schools maintain high standards while supporting positive outcomes for students.

No. If a facility offers residential services, VAISEF accreditation applies only to the educational program. Residential services remain under the oversight of the appropriate licensing authorities.

Families are encouraged to ask about residential licensing, daily schedules, clinical and therapeutic services, family communication, visitation policies, safety procedures, residential staffing, and medical supports.

Yes. Depending on the facility’s available programs and the student’s needs, some students may transition from a residential placement to a private day placement, or vice versa, as determined by the student’s educational team and placement decisions.