Starting a Private School in Alaska
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Alaska. Enjoy!
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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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Alaska State Regulations
General Regulations
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Alaska has no accreditation, licensing, approval, or registration requirements, but does permit optional accreditation processes.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Alaska
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The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has assembled a page of state forms including those required for private schools
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Students are only considered homeschooled if all members of the school are immediate family members.
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There are no specific insurance requirements for schools in Alaska.
State Funding Sources & Support
Alaska does not provide funding for private education.
Curriculum Requirements
Private education satisfies the Alaska compulsory school attendance law if the academic education provided is comparable to that offered by the public schools in the area.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Teacher certification is required, but exemptions can be made for religious schools.
Food Services / Lunch
In Alaska, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Child Nutrition Programs division of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
Length of School Year
School years must include at least 180 days of instruction.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools are required to submit a Corporal Punishment Policy to the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. The policy must be written and explain the details of its use (who may administer, what instrument is used, privacy issues). Private schools must gain written consent before administering corporal punishment. Schools must also maintain monthly attendance records, as well as permanent academic records for enrolled students.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Private schools must instruct pupils by means of drills to safely exit school buildings in an emergency. Drills must be conducted once each month during the school term, weather permitting. The state also has the authority to ensure healthful and safe learning conditions no more stringent than in a public school.
Transportation
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides transportation for nonpublic school students who travel comparable distances and the same routes as public school students.
Testing
A religious or private school shall administer a nationally standardized test to all students enrolled in grades four, six, and eight at least once each year.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters

Alaska State Resources
State & Regional Associations
Northwest Association of Independent Schools: The Northwest Association of Independent Schools is a nonprofit membership association that provides accreditation, professional development and support services to over 110 schools.
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
Thinking about more than just a student handbook and conduct code, we've included recommendations & templates to help you develop your school policies & procedures

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.