Starting a Private School in Ohio
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Ohio. Enjoy!
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Starting a School Guide
See what else you need to know about starting a private school. From your curriculum to your marketing, and everything in-between.
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Ohio State Regulations
General Regulations
- There are no requirements for registration, licensing or approval, but Ohio does offer charters as a form of optional accreditation to nonpublic schools.
- The Ohio Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
- The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Ohio.
- Homeschooling in Ohio must be done by a parent or guardian and cannot entail enrollment in a private school.
- The Ohio DOE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Curriculum Requirements
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Teachers must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Food Services / Lunch
In Ohio, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.
Length of School Year
Schools must be open the same amount of time as public schools — 182 days per year.
Recordkeeping & Reports
A school that is non-chartered or seeking a charter from the State Board of Education due to religious beliefs must submit a report to the parents of its pupils that the school meets Ohio minimum standards for non-chartered, non-tax supported schools annually. Schools must report the names, addresses, and ages of all enrolled students.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Monthly fire drills are required of schools enrolling 20 students or more. Nonpublic school teachers, principals and administrators may use reasonable corporal punishment whenever such punishment is reasonably necessary to preserve discipline.
Transportation
Testing
Students at chartered nonpublic schools must pass the Ohio Graduation Tests to earn a high school diploma.
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Ohio State Resources
State & Regional Associations
Government Websites
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Guide Quick-Nav

Introduction
We’ve developed these 10 topics to help you along the way. Take them all in at once, or start with the areas most relevant right now.

School Identity
There’s plenty you can do to develop your own brand, starting right from your personal ideals and goals for your school.

Curriculum
Our curriculum pages include ideas on where to go to find materials, and different associations and educational models you may want to consider.

Legal & Operating Requirements
You need to know the requirements at both the federal level and for your state. Here are the basic details for every state.

Funding & Finance
Here we share ideas for possible funding sources, and ways you might be able to start with less than you thought necessary.

Business Plan & Budget
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.

Facilities
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.

Staffing
How can you find and recruit the right talent for your school? What qualifications or certifications are required?

Policies & Procedures
Here we share ideas for possible funding sources, and ways you might be able to start with less than you thought necessary.

Marketing & Online Presence
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.

Associations
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.