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Who in their right mind starts a private school? Starting any enterprise is a daunting project. Yet many parents and teachers are the impetus behind the dozen or so new private schools that appear on the scene each fall. Some schools begin modestly with a grade or two and grow by adding one grade a year. Other schools have much more elaborate plans. Why do these brave parents and teachers start a school? The main reason seems to be that they are passionate about teaching a certain way or adhering to a certain philosophy. Sometimes they do it simply because they want to run their own school and do things their way.

No matter what the genesis of the idea might be, the recipe for bringing a school into existence is straight-forward enough, although there are many ingredients. Staring a school requires equal parts persistence, business acumen, and vast amounts of patience. To those basic ingredients, you add huge lashings of money. Mix thoroughly. As you do, you discover that you will have to add more money regularly as the other ingredients soak up gobs of money.

This video offers an overview of starting a nonprofit organization like your school.

Here is a template for planning and opening your own school. Good luck! I did it. Lived through the experience. I still recall it as one of the best things I ever did.

36 months

How ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´s Can Manage Bad Press: Strategies for Crisis Communication

• "Popular teacher murdered"
• "Accusations of sex abuse at prestigious private school"
• "Lavish expenditures on headmaster's house renovations"

I am not making these up. These are examples of incidents that have actually taken place at private schools.

• In the course of running any business, things happen that can generate negative and unwanted publicity.
• A private school is a business. How you handle a crisis will have a huge impact on the future of your school.

It's the head of school's worst nightmare to read a story about something that happened at his school.

• It's a parent's worst nightmare to read a story about something that happened in her children's school.
• It's a teacher's worst nightmare to be in the midst of the maelstrom, which is the evolving story with all its investigations.

Managing A Crisis

The Head of School's Role

21st-century heads of schools know that they cannot simply circle the wagons and deny the existence of the story. A couple of decades ago, when social media and blogs did not exist, the fortress mentality was how many heads handled tough situations.

• You expelled a few students and fired some staff, and hopefully, the matter was put to rest permanently. Not anymore.
• Unfortunately, smartphones flash photos, comments, and opinions around the world in seconds.
• Your story better deal with all those reports effectively and professionally.

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Does your school avoid politics? You might want to make sure it does if you are set up as a non-profit corporation. If your school is exempt from taxes under the provisions of Section 501 (c3) of the Tax Code, it must refrain from conducting political activities designed to influence political elections. Consult your attorney if you are not sure what your school's IRS status is. To access Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code, you can visit the IRS page on exemption requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations. Here is the URL:

Intramural elections are exempt.
Putting up posters and holding rallies for student council president is not generally considered a violation of the 'no politicking' provisions of the law. Internal or within the bounds of the school community activities are acceptable. Read for further guidance.

This video offers an explanation of not-for-profit organizations and the 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS.

Politicking for local, state, and federal issues and candidates is forbidden.

In the current political climate, where emotions often run high and young people are increasingly drawn into the electoral process, it is crucial for schools to understand the boundaries set by their 501(c)(3) status. Politicking for local, state, and federal issues and candidates is strictly forbidden. This prohibition is not just a guideline but a legal requirement under the Johnson Amendment, which