Starting a Private School in Arizona
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Arizona. 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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Arizona State Regulations
General Regulations
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Arizona has no accreditation, licensing, or approval requirements.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled summary of regulations for private schools in Arizona.
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Arizona defines home schooling as a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child’s home, so in most cases, a private school is not able to take advantage of registering as a home school.
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Arizona does not have any specific insurance requirements for schools
State Funding Sources & Support
Curriculum Requirements
Arizona requires that all students receive instruction in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Teacher certification is not required for private schools.
Food Services / Lunch
In Arizona, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Health and Nutrition Services division of the Department of Education.
Length of School Year
In order to meet school attendance requirements, private school students must attend school for the full time school is in session in the local school district.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Private schools must keep records and report on student age, enrollment status, and immunization records. Schools are also responsible for requesting student academic records from their previous schools.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Students must be vaccinated unless they meet exemption criteria. The fire marshal is responsible for establishing programs for evacuating school buildings and instructing students in private schools on the importance of fire prevention and control. Private schools must also provide safety equipment, such as protective eyewear, for students participating in labs or other hazardous educational activities.
Transportation
There are no state policies regarding private school transportation
Testing
There are no mandated testing requirements for private school students.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters

Arizona State Resources
State & Regional Associations
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Arizona Association of Independent Schools: The Arizona Association of Independent Schools (AAIS) represents 10 member schools state wide unified by a common mission–to promote high standards, educational quality, and ethics as a banner of education in the state of Arizona through professional development, outreach and advocacy.
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Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools: The Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools serves 112 Episcopal schools, richly diverse in location, size and scope, throughout the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
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Independent Schools Association of the Southwest: ISAS promotes, upholds, and advances the highest educational and professional standards for the region’s independent schools.
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Arizona School Tuition Organization Association: ASTOA’s mission is to promote and advance School Choice by mentoring, unifying, and supporting Arizona School Tuition Organizations (STO’s) in the mission of providing private school scholarships to children attending K – 12 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.