How to Start a Private High School
According to the Council for American Private Education, 11 percent of all students in the United States attend a private school. (Resource 1) There are many reasons that parents choose to send their children to private schools, including their low student/teacher ratios, their challenging curriculums, and their inclusion of religion in the classroom. Perhaps your community has a need for an additional private high school. If so, you may want to spearhead starting a new school. It is a challenging, but rewarding endeavor.
Instructions
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Evaluate the need for a private high school in your community. Is there a niche that is going unfilled? If so, are the potential students from families who are financially solvent enough to pay private tuition? Before taking any further steps, do market research to make sure that the school will have enough paying students to keep its doors open.
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Select a board of directors. The people you select should be stakeholders, such as parents, community leaders, and educators. These individuals will help make critical decisions about the school's progress, in addition to helping the school obtain community support. You are required to have a board of directors in order to gain nonprofit status, which is what most private schools operate under. A good board of directors will be fundraisers for the school, and can often solicit large ongoing donations.
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Develop a business plan. Calculate the cost of renting or purchasing the physical space for the school, as well as the cost of staff salaries, technology, and other operating expenses. Estimate how much money you anticipate your school getting each year in the form of donations, tuition, and grants.
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File incorporation papers. Your school is a business, and must be recognized as such. You will also need to apply to get federal 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status with the IRS. Filing these papers, which should be reviewed by a lawyer, gives your private high school nonprofit status upon approval. This process can take six months to a year.
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Locate a physical space for your private high school. Location is critical, as a poor location can affect attendance and cause other problems. Your school should be located in a safe neighborhood that is convenient for parents and students. You should have a long-term lease or purchase the property outright. Consider dining facilities, as well as outdoor space for sports and physical education.
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Hire staff. This can be the most-challenging part of starting a private high school. You'll need to hire a principal who has the same aspirations for the new high school as you. This person should be a strong leader who will assist you in hiring highly qualified teachers who also share your vision. You will also need to hire cleaning, cooking, and grounds staff, as well as office staff. Everybody you hire should be a good representative for the school.
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Market your school. You can build it, but students have to come. Ensure they do by advertising your private school in a variety of media, posting flyers, and maintaining a strong visible presence in the community.
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Tips & Warnings
You will need to have a significant amount of overhead to start a private high school, as expenses will need to be paid before money begins coming into the organization.
