Starting a Private School in Texas
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Texas. 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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Texas State Regulations
General Regulations
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There are no registration, licensing, or approval requirements, and accreditation is optional.
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The Texas Education Agency has assembled a page of resources for private schools.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Texas.
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Texas has no laws or regulations related to homeschooling. The state of Texas does not regulate, monitor, approve, register, or accredit programs available to parents who choose to homeschool their children.
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The Texas Education Agency has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Texas does not provide funding for private education.
Curriculum Requirements
The only requirement is that schools teach students good citizenship.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Teacher certification is not required for private schools.
Food Services / Lunch
In Texas, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Agriculture.
Length of School Year
Accredited private schools must meet or exceed the minimum seat time required of public schools.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools must keep transcripts and provide them to the student’s new school should they choose to transfer.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Students must provide proof of immunization or of a medical or religious exemption.
Transportation
Transportation is not provided by the state or district, but city buses and trains are required to offer students discount fares.
Testing
Private schools can choose to optionally offer state standardized testing to students but must pay for the cost of the test.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
Texas State Resources
State & Regional Associations
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Texas Private Schools Association: advocates for the independence of Texas private schools, ensuring their freedom to fulfill their unique missions and meet the diverse needs of students.
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Texas Private School Accreditation Commission: helps ensure quality in private schools by monitoring and approving organizations that accredit the various non-public elementary and secondary educational institutions in the state of Texas.
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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.