Starting a Private School in North Carolina
Regulations, Resources, & Support
North Carolina State Regulations
General Regulations
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There are no licensing requirements and accreditation and approval are optional. All schools must be registered with the state, however.
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The North Carolina Department of Administration has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in North Carolina.
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A ‘home school’ means a nonpublic school in which one or more children of not more than two families or households receive academic instruction from parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household.
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The North Carolina DOA has no published requirements for school insurance -- consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Curriculum Requirements
There are no curriculum requirements for nonpublic schools.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Teacher certification is not required of nonpublic schools.
Food Services / Lunch
In North Carolina, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Public Instruction.
Length of School Year
Attendance at an approved nonpublic school must be for a period equal to the time the local public school is in session.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools must notify the state of intent to operate, the name and address of the school, and the name of the school’s owner and chief administrator. They must also record and maintain annual attendance and disease immunization records for each student, as well as standardized test scores.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Private church schools or schools of religious charter and qualifying nonpublic schools are subject to the state requirements respecting fire, safety, sanitation, and immunization. Students must be vaccinated or provide documentation of a religious or medical exemption. Fire drills must be conducted once per month.
Transportation
Students with special needs may be transported by public school buses to and from the nearest appropriate private school having a special education program.
Testing
Private church schools or schools of religious charter, and other qualified nonpublic schools must administer a nationally standardized test to students in grades three, six, and nine at least once each school year. The test must measure achievement in English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.
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North Carolina 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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