How to Start a School

Private schools provide students with a targeted education.

While the government requires all children under the age of 16 to attend school on a regular basis, there is no stipulation that they attend only public schools. Private schools often succeed by providing a specific educational quality not found in public schools. Parochial schools are popular, as are private schools that maintain strict educational standards.

Instructions

1. Determine the niche you will serve. In order to attract students who currently attend public school, you must provide an education their parents feel is worth paying for. Private schools in most areas receive no funding from taxpayers, so parents and benefactors must shoulder the entire cost. Perhaps you want to start a school as an extension of your religion, or to offer students accelerated learning opportunities.

2. Plan an initial meeting to draw interest and comments from prospective students, their parents and community leaders. Starting a school is a major undertaking, and there may be public-school advocates who oppose the idea. You need to research your idea thoroughly and deal with all comments in an upfront manner.

3. Find a location to house your new school. Rent before buying if you think the school will grow dramatically in membership in a few years. Old churches make good facilities when the congregation moves to a larger building. Look for enough space to house the classrooms, bathrooms, utility area, teacher and staff area, administration space and a kitchen facility (if you plan to provide lunches). In addition, consider playground space and security issues when choosing a location.

4. Get your paperwork in order and present a business plan to a lending institution or venture capitalist if you need additional financing. Start making your school a reality when the projected number of students and interested parents makes the project financially feasible.

5. Form a board of directors and incorporate your school to protect your personal assets should a lawsuit arise. The board will shoulder much of the responsibility for hiring teachers and staff and for implementing school policy. Consider asking some parents to sit on the board, but also include recognized community members to lend credibility to your school.

6. Provide financial aid to high-achieving students who don’t possess the financial means to attend your school otherwise. The board of directors can set regulations for offering scholarships. This boosts your school's overall testing scores, so many schools encourage scholarship students.

7. Exceed governmental educational standards in order to keep your doors open. Most private schools surpass public schools in testing and educational competitions; hence, they stay in operation. However, expect resistance from educators and teacher’s unions, especially if your students do not score well on standardized tests.

Tips & Warnings

• Make appointments to visit with administrators of other private schools to get their advice on starting your own school. Their experience is invaluable.