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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000721237-09-000013.txt : 20091106
<SEC-HEADER>0000721237-09-000013.hdr.sgml : 20091106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091106165139
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000721237-09-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091104
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091106
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091106

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Beale David W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001373924

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10031
		FILM NUMBER:		091165367

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 WEST CHESTER PIKE, SUITE 200
		CITY:			WEST CHESTER
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19382-6223

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOBEL LEARNING COMMUNITIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000721237
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [8200]
		IRS NUMBER:				222465204
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 W CHESTER PIKE
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			WEST CHESTER
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19382-6223
		BUSINESS PHONE:		484-947-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 W CHESTER PIKE
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			WEST CHESTER
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19382-6223

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NOBEL EDUCATION DYNAMICS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19931222

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROCKING HORSE CHILD CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA INC /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19931222

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PETRIE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19851031
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-11-04</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000721237</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOBEL LEARNING COMMUNITIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NLCI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001373924</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Beale David W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1615 WEST CHESTER PIKE, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WEST CHESTER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19382-6223</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3401</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9678</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares will vest on the earlier of (i) the 1 ear anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) the day immediately prior to the date ofthe next annual meeting of the Company's stockholders, provided, however, that no vesting wil occur and the shares will be forfeited if Mr. Beale fails to attend at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company during the 1 year period following the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David Beale</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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