Starting a Private School in Kentucky
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Kentucky. Enjoy!
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Kentucky State Regulations
General Regulations
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Kentucky has no registration or approval requirements, but offers optional accreditation and licensing. The exception is for-profit schools not affiliated with a religious organization — these schools must be licensed.
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The Kentucky Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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Homeschools are considered private schools in Kentucky and must follow the same regulations.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Kentucky.
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The Kentucky DOE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Kentucky does not provide funding for private education.
Curriculum Requirements
Instruction must be provided in English. Additionally, the State Textbook Commission must approve all text books and the state has the right to set minimum course standards if they so choose.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Schools must show that instructors and administrators are qualified.
Food Services / Lunch
In Kentucky, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.
Length of School Year
The school term for private and parochial schools may not be shorter than the term of the local public school district; if a school operates year-round the minimum term is 185 days; that includes no less than the equivalent of 1062 instructional hours in a minimum of 170 instructional days.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools are required to maintain student enrollment and attendance records and must provide them to the state as needed.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
School buildings are subject to inspection by the local health board.
Transportation
No public funds may be used for transporting nonpublic school students.
Testing
No state policy exists.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
Kentucky State Resources
State & Regional Associations
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Independent Schools Association of the Central States: ISACS leads schools to pursue exemplary independent education.
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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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Kentucky Association of Independent Schools: Provides professional development and guidance to independent schools.
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Kentucky Non-Public School Commission, Inc.: KyNPSC, Inc. was created to address the common concerns of those privately-operated schools that desired to be in voluntary compliance with state standards, and thus become “certified” non-public schools.
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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.