Starting a Private School in Virginia

Regulations, Resources, & Support

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

Learn How

Get Started

Regulations

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

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.

Software That Simplifies & Empowers Your School

Attract students, satisfy parents, and grow your school! With Twine, we keep the administration easy so you can focus on other things.

Watch a Demo

Virginia State Regulations

General Regulations

Virginia State

There are no registration requirements, and accreditation, licensing and approval are optional except for schools serving students with disabilities. In this case, licensing is required.
The Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) 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 Virginia.
Instruction in the home of a child or children by the parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of such child or children shall not be classified or defined as a private, denominational, or parochial school.
The VCPE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.

State Funding Sources & Support

Click To Expand

Virginia provides funding for private education:

The Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits Program: Allows for tax credits for donations to scholarship providers. Scholarships fund private school tuition for low-income students or those with a disability.
Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program for Education: Allows individuals or businesses to receive state tax credits – equal to 65 percent of the qualified donation – for eligible contributions made to approved neighborhood organizations that provide scholastic instruction or assistance to low-income persons or eligible students with a disability.

Curriculum Requirements

The commonwealth of Virginia does not require any specific curriculum for private schools.

Teacher Certification & Hiring

Teacher certification is not required by the commonwealth; however, an approved accrediting association may set its own requirements for teacher credentials.

Food Services / Lunch

In Virginia, 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 at least 180 days per year.

Recordkeeping & Reports

Teachers must track and report on student attendance.

Healthy & Safety Requirements

Students must be immunized or provide documentation of a medical or religious exemption.

Transportation

Local school districts may, though are not required to, enter into agreements with private schools to provide students transportation to and from school.

Testing

Private school students are not required to participate in state administered tests unless the student is a child with a disability who has been placed by a local school division

Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters

About UsMeet Our Team

Virginia State Resources

State & Regional Associations

Expand/close list

Virginia Association of Independent Schools: a nonprofit membership association that provides services to 95 independent private schools across Virginia, which serve more than 30,000 students in grades PreKindergarten-12.
Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS): The mission of SAIS is to strengthen member schools by providing high-quality accreditation processes, comprehensive professional growth opportunities, and visionary leadership development programs.