Starting a Private School in New Mexico
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in New Mexico. Enjoy!
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New Mexico State Regulations
General Regulations
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Accreditation by the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) is optional. Licensing, approval, and registration are not required.
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The US Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools in New Mexico.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in New Mexico.
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The New Mexico Public Education Department defines a “home school” as a home study program of instruction operated by a parent, guardian, or other person having custody and control of a school-age person that provides a basic academic educational program.
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The New Mexico PED has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
New Mexico does not provide funding for private education.
Curriculum Requirements
The state has the authority to approve courses of instruction but doesn’t have any specific requirements.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
There’s no policy on teacher certification for private schools.
Food Services / Lunch
In New Mexico, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Public Education Department.
Length of School Year
Students must attend school for the same amount of time that school is in session in the district in which they reside.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools must report on the immunization status of all students and track and report on attendance issues.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Students must be immunized or provide documentation of medical or religious exemptions. Fire drills must take place once per month.
Transportation
No state policy exists.
Testing
There is no state policy on testing.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
New Mexico 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.