<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-09-09</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000721237</issuerCik><issuerName>NOBEL LEARNING COMMUNITIES INC</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>NLCI</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001045218</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>MILKEN MICHAEL R</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>1250 Fourth Street, Sixth Floor</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerCity>Santa Monica</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>90401</rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001261505</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>MILKEN LOWELL J</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>1250 FOURTH STREET, SIXTH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>SANTA MONICA</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>90401</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>5.10</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-09-09</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>P</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>137804</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>5.10</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2003-09-09</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F3" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock, $.001 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>137804</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>137804</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The person identified on the Joint Filer Information statement attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 may be deemed to share the powers of voting and disposition of the securities described herein. The reporting persons disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported securities, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The securities are owned directly by Blesbok LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. </footnote><footnote id="F3">N/A</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Michael R. Milken</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-09-10</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>Lowell J. Milken</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-09-10</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

