Starting a Private School in Kentucky
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Kentucky State Regulations
General Regulations
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Kentucky has no registration or approval requirements, but offers optional accreditation and licensing. The exception is for-profit schools not affiliated with a religious organization -- these schools must be licensed.
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The Kentucky Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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Homeschools are considered private schools in Kentucky and must follow the same regulations.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Kentucky.
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The Kentucky DOE has no published requirements for school insurance -- consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
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Kentucky does not provide funding for private education.
Curriculum Requirements
Instruction must be provided in English. Additionally, the State Textbook Commission must approve all text books and the state has the right to set minimum course standards if they so choose.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Schools must show that instructors and administrators are qualified.
Food Services / Lunch
In Kentucky, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.
Length of School Year
The school term for private and parochial schools may not be shorter than the term of the local public school district; if a school operates year-round the minimum term is 185 days; that includes no less than the equivalent of 1062 instructional hours in a minimum of 170 instructional days.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools are required to maintain student enrollment and attendance records and must provide them to the state as needed.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
School buildings are subject to inspection by the local health board.
Transportation
No public funds may be used for transporting nonpublic school students.
Testing
No state policy exists.
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Kentucky State Resources
State & Regional Associations
Government Websites
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
Quick Guide Nav
We gathered so much information that we had to break it down into 10 chapters. This free information is well-researched- we even hunted down the rules and regulations for each state! If you're thinking about starting a private school, you will find this guide very handy!
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