[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 29, Volume 3] [Revised as of July 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 29CFR541.215] [Page 209] TITLE 29--LABOR CHAPTER V--WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PART 541_DEFINING AND DELIMITING THE TERMS ``ANY EMPLOYEE EMPLOYED IN A Subpart B_Interpretations Sec. 541.215 Elementary or secondary schools and other educational establishments and institutions. To be considered for exemption as employed in the capacity of academic administrative personnel, the employment must be in connection with the operation of an elementary or secondary school system, an institution of higher education, or other educational establishment or institution. Sections 3(v) and 3(w) of the Act define elementary and secondary schools as those day or residential schools which provide elementary or secondary education, as determined under State law. Under the laws of most States, such education includes the curriculums in grades 1 through 12; under many it includes also the introductory programs in kindergarten. Such education in some States may include also nursery school programs in elementary education and junior college curriculums in secondary education. Education above the secondary school level is in any event included in the programs of institutions of higher education. Special schools for mentally or physically handicapped or gifted children are included among the educational establishments in which teachers and academic administrative personnel may qualify for the administrative exemption, regardless of any classification of such schools as elementary, secondary, or higher. Also, for purposes of the exemption, no distinction is drawn between public or private schools. Accordingly, the classification for other purposes of the school system, or educational establishment or institution, is ordinarily not a matter requiring consideration in a determination of whether the exemption applies. If the work is that of a teacher or academic personnel as defined in the regulations, in such an educational system, establishment, or institution, and if the other requirement of the regulations, are met, the level of instruction involved and the status of the school as public or private or operated for profit or not for profit will not alter the availability of the exemption. Employee Employed in a Bona Fide Professional Capacity