Starting a Private or Independent School

The process to start a new private school in WA State takes 2-3 years on average.

Private School Requirements by WA State Law

Annual Approval by the WA State Board of Education

All private schools must be approved by the Washington State Board of Education before opening to serve students. The first step is to review the State Board of Education’s Private Schools webpage outlining Becoming an Approved Private School.

The Washington State Legislature established that private schools should be subject only to those minimum state controls necessary to ensure the health and safety of students and that graduation requirements meet a sufficient basic education. RCW 28A.195.010 outlines the minimum requirements and exemptions that all private K12 schools must follow.

The State Board of Education is tasked with tracking these requirements and provided clarification of the Teacher Certification Requirement for Private Schools in 2023.

Academic Year Requirements for Private Schools

Washington private schools must provide 180 days or 1000 hours of education for their students.

To learn more about how Washington defines a school day, visit https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=392-121-033.

WA State Learning Standards & Instructional Materials

The OSPI website has all the standards, expectations, and open resources for grade-related curricula. https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/learning-standards-instructional-materials.

Learning standards define what all students need to know and be able to do at each grade level.

As required by state law (RCW 28A.655.070), OSPI develops the state’s learning standards and periodically revises them based on the student learning goals in RCW 28A.150.210. Click here to learn more about the process and click here for a timeline of review and implementation.

PreK

If you are running an all-day preK (over 4 hours), you will need a license from the Dept. of Children, Youth and Families: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/licensed-provider/licensing-process.

If you are running a school program for K plus any grade, you will need approval from the State Board of Education: https://www.sbe.wa.gov/our-work/private-schools/private-school-approval.

Accreditation and approval are different processes in Washington. It is APPROVAL that is mandatory in WA State.

Private School Participation in Federal Programs

To be eligible to participate in federal programs, private schools must be state-approved and non-profit.

The students, parents/guardians, and educators of non-profit, private schools approved by the Washington State Board of Education may be eligible for services provided through some Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) federal education programs. These services can provide a valuable supplement to the core programming and professional development of participating private schools.

Review OSPI’s Requirements for Private Schools to Participate in Federal Programs. Each year, private schools must notify districts and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) of their intent to participate, or not, in federal program services by completing and submitting the Private Participation in Federal Programs application in the Education Data System (EDS). See EDS Log-In Instructions. The application is due in April each year.

ESEA programs

Title I, Part A – Education for the Disadvantaged
Title I, Part C – Education of Migratory Children
Title I, Part D – Neglected & Delinquent
Title II, Part A – Supporting Effective Instruction
Title III, Part A – English Learners & Immigrant Education
Title IV, Part A – Student Support & Academic Enrichment
Title IV, Part B – 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Title V, Part B – Rural Education Initiative
Title VI, Part A – Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education
Title VII, Part B – McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Education for Homeless Children and Youth
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Act (Special Education)