FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Regulations (FERPA)

FERPA protects the confidentiality of student records from unauthorized parties. The Act applies to any public or private elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school and any state or local education agency that receives federal funds. Even though we do not receive any State of Federal funds, we still comply with the FERPA Act. Student privacy is very important to our school.

The Act has two parts. First, it gives students the right to inspect and review their own education records, requests corrections, prohibit the release of personally identifiable information, and obtain a copy of their institution's policy concerning access to educational records. (20 U.S.C.S. § 1232g(a)). Second, it prohibits educational institutions from disclosing "personally identifiable information in education records" without the written consent of the student, or if the student is a minor, the student's parents. (20 U.S.C.S. § 1232g(b)). This means that we will not discuss your account with any third party. For example, If your uncle or brother calls the school requesting information about your grades or tuition unless you are under age 18, and the individual is not your legal guardian, we will not discuss your account with that person. When calling the school, please do not be offended that we will only deal with students or legal guardians directly. We follow all Federal, private laws to protect you.

There are some exceptions that allow the release of student records to certain parties or under certain conditions. Records may be released without the student's consent: (1) to school officials with a legitimate educational interest; (2) to other schools to which a student seeks or intends to enroll; (3) to education officials for audit and evaluation purposes; (4) to accrediting organizations; (5) to parties in connection with financial aid to a student; (6) to organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of a school; (7) to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; (8) in the case of health and safety emergencies; and (9) to state and local authorities within a juvenile justice system. (20 U.S.C.S. § 1232g(b)(1)).

In addition, some records maintained by schools are exempt from FERPA, including: (1) records in the sole possession of school officials; (2) records maintained by a law enforcement unit of the educational institution; (3) records of an educational institution's non-student employees; and (4) records on a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a post-secondary institution that are maintained by a health professional. (20 U.S.C.S. § 1232g(a)(4)(B)). In addition, FERPA allows but does not require, schools to release "directory information," including students' names and addresses, to the public. (20 U.S.C.S. § 1232g(a)(5)(A)).

For more information about FERPA, please click here to be directed to the U.S. Department of Education's website.