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

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.
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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.
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.