Regulations

We’ve curated the laws and regulations about starting a private school in Alaska.

Resources

What resources and associations are available to help new education entrepreneurs?

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.

• Alaska has no accreditation, licensing, approval, or registration requirements, but does permit optional accreditation processes.

• The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Alaska

• The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has assembled a page of state forms including those required for private schools

• Students are only considered homeschooled if all members of the school are immediate family members.

• There are no specific insurance requirements for schools in Alaska.

Alaska does not provide funding for private education.

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 is required, but exemptions can be made for religious schools.

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.

School years must include at least 180 days of instruction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Alaska Government Education Standard
• Education and Early Development