Starting a Private School in Oklahoma

Regulations, Resources, & Support

Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Oklahoma. Enjoy!

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Regulations

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

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.

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Oklahoma State Regulations

General Regulations

Oklahoma State

There are no registration, licensing, or approval requirements, but the state offers optional accreditation.
The Oklahoma Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma does not have laws governing homeschooling.
The Oklahoma DOE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.

State Funding Sources & Support

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Curriculum Requirements

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The Oklahoma Heritage Association coordinates the annual observance of Oklahoma Heritage Week for all schools, including parochial schools. To receive accreditation from the Oklahoma State Board of Education, all students in grades nine through 12 must have a minimum of six periods (or the equivalent in block scheduling) of rigorous academic and/or rigorous vocational courses each day, which may include arts, vocal and instrumental music, speech classes, and physical education classes.

Teacher Certification & Hiring

Teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree and meet the Oklahoma standards of certification.

Food Services / Lunch

In Oklahoma, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.

Length of School Year

Students must attend school for 1,080 hours per school year, with school days consisting of at least 6 hours of school activities.

Recordkeeping & Reports

Schools must keep and report on student attendance data.

Healthy & Safety Requirements

Students must be immunized or show proof of a medical or religious exemption. Schools must provide an anti-hazing policy to all students. A concealed or unconcealed weapon may be carried onto private school property or in any school bus or vehicle used by any private school for transportation of students or teachers by a person who is licensed pursuant to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, provided a policy permitting such weapons has been adopted by the school.

Transportation

District buses cannot be used to transport students to parochial schools.

Testing

There is no state policy on testing.

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Oklahoma State Resources

State & Regional Associations

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Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission: The purpose of the Oklahoma Private School Accrediting Commission is to assist the State Board of Education by assuring the educational quality and compliance with applicable rules of the Board by recognized, accredited private schools in the state.
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.
Independent Schools Association of the Southwest: ISAS promotes, upholds, and advances the highest educational and professional standards for the region’s independent schools.