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How to Write a Private School Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a private school (nursery, primary or high school)? If YES, here’s a complete sample private school business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE. Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a private school.

We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample private school marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for private schools. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Why Start a Private School?

One of the best things that can happen to anyone is to have a private school. This is one very lucrative business that will continue to rake in money for its owners. As an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business, you should ensure that whatever business you intend to start, you make sure that it is located in an appropriate place.

For example; if you want to start a private school, it will be a wrong business judgment if you decide to site the school close to an industrial area or close to a market. Aspiring entrepreneurs therefore are urged as a matter of necessity to ensure that they carry out a thorough market research and feasibility study of the industry they intend to go into before investing their hard earned money and time.

It is known fact that the demand for private schools is driven by the fact that most public cum government owned schools cannot accommodate every students or potential students in a given geographical location. In some cases, students with special needs cannot cope in public schools hence the need for private schools.

If you think starting a private school business sounds like what you want to do. Then you may want to use the business plan below as a guide.

A Sample Private School Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Private schools which is also known in the united states as independent schools, non-governmental, or non – state schools are schools that are not administered by either the local, state or the federal governments; hence, they have the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition fees, rather than relying on mandatory taxation through public (government) funding.

Some private schools have structure in place that offer scholarships to some students, which makes the cost cheaper, depending on a talent such as sport scholarship, art scholarship, academic scholarship the student may be brining to the private school, financial need, or tax credit scholarships that might be available.

The Private Schools industry comprises of primary that is kindergarten through sixth grade and secondary that is seventh through 12th grade) educational institutions that are predominantly funded through enrollment and tuition fees from students and of course from other private sources.

Recent reports released by IBISWORLD shows that the revenue for the Private Schools industry is expected to increase, as the economy continues to recover. The indicated that during the five years to 2016, enrollment decreased, which was a trend attributable to rising costs and competition from charter schools.

However, going forward, in the next five years, household income is anticipated to increase, making it easier for families to afford private-school tuition. Additionally, enrollment declines will lesson, resulting in more stable demand for private schools

In the United States of America and of course in most countries of the world, The Private Schools industry is indeed a large and thriving industry. Statistics has it that The Private Schools industry in the United States of America, is worth $52 billion, with an estimated growth rate of 0.1 percent.

There are about 25,742 registered and licensed (accredited) Private schools scattered all around the United States of America and they are responsible for employing about 644,320 people.

Aside from Catholic schools, which is the second largest sector after government schools, with around 21 percent of secondary enrollments, no other private school can boast of dominating the market; every player in the industry can comfortably compete in the industry.

It is important to state that the barriers to entry into the Private Schools industry are high. As a matter of fact, the private school industry is an industry in which it is pretty difficult for new entrants to establish themselves. So also, the reputation of the private school is of utmost importance, as private schools that have a good history of getting students into prestigious colleges often have the best reputations hence good enrollments.

With this, it is obvious that a new entrant in to the private school industry cannot offer this. Reputation indeed is imperative to parents’ decisions when shopping for private school for their wards. This is so because the quality of education cannot be assessed until well after it is complete. As a major marketing tool, schools need to show parents a track record of admission to elite colleges and universities.

Even though this might seem like a saturated industry, the industry is still pretty much open for aspiring school proprietors and proprietress to still come in and compete. As a matter of fact, if you conduct your research and feasibility studies very well before starting your own private school couple with impressive profile of your faculty members, you are likely going to struggle less to make headway in the industry.

2. Executive Summary

Rolland Gyros International Private School is an international private school that will be located in a well – populated residential estate in Ashville – North Carolina, United States of America. We are a standard private school that is composed of primary (kindergarten through sixth grade) and secondary (seventh through 12th grade) educational institution that will be predominantly funded through tuition fees and levies from students and of course from other private sources.

Rolland Gyros International Private School is a client-focused and result driven private school that provides broad-based learning approaches and experience at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pockets of our clients (students and parents alike).

We will offer standard and professional teaching services in a highly secured and conducive learning environment to all our students that is primary (kindergarten through sixth grade) and secondary (seventh through 12th grade). We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass all our students’ expectations and educational goals whenever they enroll in our tutorial college.

At Rolland Gyros International Private School, our students’ overall best interest would always come first, and everything we do is guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hire professional educationist cum teachers in various subjects who are well experienced and passionate in imparting knowledge to students at various learning ladder.

Rolland Gyros International Private School will at all time demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as an educational organization, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our students’ needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our students.

We have plans to offer learning platforms to people with both learning disability and physical disability (especially the blind, the dumb and the deaf). Our overall business goal is to position our private school to become the leading tutorial brand in the educational industry in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina, and also to be amongst the top 30 private schools in the United States of America within the first 12 years of operations.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Ashville is the right place to launch our private school.

Rolland Gyros International Private School is founded by Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Rolland Gyros and family. She is an educationist per excellence and she has won many awards in the education sector in the United States. Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Rolland Gyros has both the academic qualifications and experience to run a private school that can favorably compete with other leading private schools not only in Ashville – North Carolina, but also throughout the United States and Canada.

3. Our Products and Services

Rolland Gyros International Private School is going to offer varieties of educational services within the scope of the education board in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our private school is to soundly educate people in various subjects and of course to make profits from the education cum private schools industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and business goal.

Our service offerings are listed below;

• Teaching basic literacy and numeracy
• Establishing foundations in science, mathematics, geography, history and other social sciences
• Constantly working hard to meet regulatory accreditation standards
• Administering private funding efforts
• Providing access to extracurricular activities
• Retailing of Educational Books and Materials

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build a highly competitive private school that will become the number one choice for both parents and students in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina.
• Our vision reflects our values: integrity, service, excellence and teamwork.
• Our mission is to provide professional and conducive learning environment to students at different level of learning.
• Our overall business goal is to position Rolland Gyros International Private School to become the leading private school brand in the educational cum private school industry in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina, and also to be amongst the top 30 private schools in the United States of America within the first 12 years of operations.

Our Business Structure

It is a known fact that, the success of any business is to a larger extent dependent on the business structure of the organization and the people who occupy the available roles in the organization. Rolland Gyros International Private School will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our private school.

We will ensure that we hire competent hands (teaching and non – teaching staff members) to help us build the private school of our dream. The fact that we want to become one of the leading private school brand in the industry in the whole of the United States of America makes it highly necessary for our organization to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.

We will work hard to ensure that we only attract people with the right mindset to help us achieve our business goals and objectives in record time. Below is the business structure that we will build Rolland Gyros International Private School;

• Head of The Private School(School Proprietress)

School Administrator

Tutors for Various Subjects – Secondary (seventh through 12th grade)

Tutors for Various Subjects – Primary (kindergarten through sixth grade)

• Accountant / Bursar
• Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer

Security Officers

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Head of the Tutorial College / School Coordinator:

• Responsible for providing direction for the college
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for handling high profile clients and deals
• Responsible for fixing fees and signing business deals (partnership)
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the tutorial college
• Coordinates all arms of the tutorial school (tutorial center, adult education, home tutors and special education)
• Evaluates the success of the tutorial college
• Reports to the board of the tutorial college
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the tutorial school
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for tutors (teachers)
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders (parents and member of the school board) to review the effectiveness of the schools’ Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily activities of the private school.
• Effectively teach subject / subjects as assigned by the school administrator
• Accesses the progress of students under their care
• Ensures that students abide by the rules and regulations of the private school
• Contributes his / her quota towards growing the private school
• Receives complaints from parents and channel it to the appropriate quarters
• Handle any other duty as assigned by the school administrator.
• Ensure that students abide by the rules and regulations of the school administrator
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the school administrator.

Marketing Executive

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new students, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the school

School Bursar (Accountant)

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Serves as internal auditor for Rolland Gyros International Private School

Client Service Executive

• Welcomes / receive parents and students by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with parents and students (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the parents and students with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with parents and students on the phone, uses every opportunity to build parent’s interest in the schools’ products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the HR and Admin Manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to parents and students when they make enquiries
• Receives parcels / documents for Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Distribute mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned by the School Administrator.
• Responsible for cleaning the school facility at all times
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Cleans both the interior and exterior of the schools facility
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the school administrator
• Ensures that the school facility is secured at all time
• Controls traffic and organize parking
• Gives security tips to staff members from time to time
• Patrols around the building on a 24 hours basis
• Submits security reports weekly
• Any other duty as assigned by the school administrator

6. SWOT Analysis

Rolland Gyros International Private School engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring with bias in the education sector to assist us in building a well – structured private school that can favorably compete in the highly competitive education cum private schools industry in the United States.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Rolland Gyros International Private School. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Rolland Gyros International Private School;

As a private school, our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team with excellent qualifications and experience in the educational sector. We are well positioned in a community with the right demography and we know we will attract loads of students from the first day we open our doors and welcome students for enrollment.

As a new private school in Ashville – North Carolina, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance via reputation in the already saturated education cum private schools industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the education cum private schools industry is massive considering the number of parents who would want their wards to perform excellently well in their education and go ahead to be admitted in Ivy league colleges. As a standard and international private school, Rolland Gyros International Private School is ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes her way.

Every business faces a threat or challenge at any part of the life cycle of the business. These threats can be external or internal. This shows the importance of a business plan, because most threats or challenges are to be anticipated and plans put in place to cushion what effect they might bring to the private school.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as a private school operating in the United States of America are unfavorable government policies that might affect private schools, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects spending / purchasing power.

There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The trend in the private school line of business is that the key to attracting students is the educational performance and the pass rate of their students in national exams. Any private school that has good records will always thrive. The demand for private schools is driven by the fact that most public cum government owned schools cannot accommodate every students or potential students in a given geographical location.

In some cases, students with special needs cannot cope in public schools hence the need for private schools. The economic downturn hasn’t really affected this industry, especially in countries that believe in the efficacy of education.

The areas you would need to spend heavily on is in ensuring that your school is up to standard, your advertisements, and on insurance policy cover. Lastly, it is trendier to find private schools engaging in extra – curricular activities and as a matter of fact, a private school that thrives in sports can leverage on that to attract students who are sports inclined.

8. Our Target Market

As a standard and international private school, Rolland Gyros International Private School is going to offer varieties of educational services within the scope of the education board in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our private school is to soundly educate people in various subjects and of course to make profits from the education cum private schools industry

Our target market as a private school cuts across people (students) of different class and people from different culture background whether African, White, Caucasian, Latinos, Indians, and Asians. We are coming into the education cum private schools industry with a business concept that will enable us work with the students at different learning stages residing in and around Ashville – North Carolina.

Our competitive advantage

Indeed the private schools industry is highly competitive and the entry barriers are high. As a matter of fact, the private school industry is an industry in which it is pretty difficult for new entrants to establish themselves. So also, the reputation of the private school is of utmost importance, as private schools that have a good history of getting students into prestigious colleges often have the best reputations hence good enrollments.

We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the education cum private schools industry means that you should be able to deliver consistent quality service, your students should be able to experience remarkable difference and improvement and you should be able to meet the expectations of both students and parents alike.

Rolland Gyros International Private School might be a new entrant into the education cum private schools industry in the United States of America, but the management staffs and owners of the private school are considered gurus. They are people who are core professionals, licensed and highly qualified educationist / teachers at various levels of learning in the United States. These are part of what will count as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees (teaching and non – teaching staff members) will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups private school in the United States) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Rolland Gyros International Private School is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the education cum private schools industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract students on a regular basis.

Rolland Gyros International Private School will generate income by offering the following tutorial services;

• Teaching High school students various subjects in our private school

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be parents and students who would need the services of private schools to be able to achieve their educational goals and as such the services of private schools will always be needed.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Ashville – North Carolina and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the private school and our student base.

We have been able to critically examine the private schools cum education market in the United States of America and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast.

The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in Ashville – North Carolina. Below is the sales projection for Rolland Gyros International Private School, it is based on the location of our tutorial center and of course the wide range of tutorial services that we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year-: $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $450,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and natural disasters within the period stated above. So, there won’t be any major competitor (private school) offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiffer competition amongst private schools in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best marketing experts to handle our sales and marketing concerns. Our sales and marketing team will be recruited base on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the private school.

We will also ensure that our students’ excellent results from national exams and other exams speaks for us in the market place; we want to build a standard and first – class private school that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients (both individuals and corporate organizations).

Our goal is to grow our private school to become one of the top 30 private schools in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in Ashville – North Carolina but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Rolland Gyros International Private School is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our private school by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to schools, parents / household and key stake holders in Ashville – North Carolina.
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in schools, libraries and even student organizations.
• Creating a website, allows parents to be able to look you up, and also allows you to post general study tips, giving you an added advantage.
• Use friends and family to spread word about our private school
• Introduce Rolland Gyros International Private School to learning specialists, school coaches, school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors especially as they are with students everyday
• Post information about Rolland Gyros International Private School on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops.
• Placing a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Using tutorial referral networks such as agencies that will help match students with Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Joining relevant association or body that will enable you network and meet others in same industry.
• Advertising online by using an advertising platform such as Google Adwords, that will allow us place text advertisements alongside on websites with related contents, and along results from search engines.
• Advertise our private school in relevant educational magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• Attend relevant educational expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We are aware of the potency of a good publicity strategy hence we have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to become the number one choice for both parents and students in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our private school. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Rolland Gyros International Private School;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Ashville – North Carolina.
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods in and around Ashville – North Carolina
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around Ashville – North Carolina
• Passing general information via our school’s social media handles like twitter, Facebook, Google hangouts etc.
• Ensure that all our teaching and non – teaching staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our schools’ logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Private schools in the United States of America and of course in all the parts of the world charge students per tem / per session and students have the options of either paying their tuitions before resumption or during the school session.

Private schools generally charge students based on loads of factors, locations, services offerings and extra – curricular activities et al At Rolland Gyros International Private School we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our students by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance.

In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to all our students at regular intervals. We are aware that there are some students that would need special assistance, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such students’ needs.

• Payment Options

At Rolland Gyros International Private School, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up a private school business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by acquiring a large facility, then you would need a higher amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are taken care of, and that your private school’s environment is conducive enough for the students to learn.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The materials and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a private school business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. However, this is what it would cost us to start Rolland Gyros International Private School in the United of America;

• Business incorporating fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring a large facility that will accommodate the number of block of closes, playing field, staff offices and parking lots et al (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) will cost – $350,000.
• Equipping the classes and office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, pens and pencils, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $50,000
• Launching an official Website will cost – $500
• The budget for the payment of salaries for the first three months of operations: $120,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $15,000

Going by the market survey and feasibility studies conducted, we came to the conclusion that we will need an average of $750,000 to start a small scale but standard private school in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Rolland Gyros International Private School

Rolland Gyros International Private School is a family business that will be owned and managed by Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Rolland Gyros and her immediate family. They are the sole financial of the private school which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the private school to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $250,000 (Personal savings $200,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $500,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is a known fact that the future of any business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and of course the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Rolland Gyros International Private School is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers (students and parents alike) over is to ensure that we offer nothing less than the best, to offer quality education to all our students so much so that they can favorably compete with students all over the United States and gain admission to Ivy League colleges.

Rolland Gyros International Private School will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more as determined by the board of the organization. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

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Business Plan & Budget

Documenting your vision.

A business plan is an essential part of the planning process, helping identify goals and metrics and your plan to achieve them.

• Starting with your objectives
• Business plan vs. a budget
• Business plan types
• Creating your business plan
• Creating your budget

Planning for Your New School

Your business plan and budget are important tools for two reasons:

First, before you invest your time, energy and money in opening a school, it is important that you have a plan for yourself that you can believe in. Opening any business is hard work and carries risk - schools are no exception! Having a plan can allow you to move forward with confidence.

Second, your plan can be helpful to help others understand how you expect to turn you vision from dream to reality. From recruiting staff to recruiting financial backing, a solid plan allows you to build confidence in others, too.

In this section we look at the fundamentals for school business plans and budgets, and how these are derived from your vision and objectives.

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Websites & Admissions

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Websites & Admissions

Starting with your objectives.

As Lewis Carroll so playfully points out: you need to first know where you want to go, and then you can build a plan to get there.

If you’ve not already started with the work outlined in the school identity section of this guide, now is a great time to review the topics on core values and mission. Once your core values and mission are clear, you can begin to set objectives by examining questions such as:

Who are the students and families you want to serve? There are any number of ways you might think about this: are you intending to provide services for an underserved population or a group with particular needs that aren’t being met in your community? Are you wanting to bring together families with a common interest or ideology, whether that is an academic focus, religious conviction, academic philosophy, or opportunity for particular experiences?

What is the ideal size for your program? Even knowing you won’t get there right away, do you ultimately want to remain a small community of 18 or 24, or does your objective require a population of 300 or 500 or 1000 students to support the diversity of programming, staff expertise and varies programs you’d like to offer?

What role do you want to create for yourself? This can be a particularly tricky question, but it is crucial to step back and consider as part of your plan. If your first love is working in the classroom, you should have a plan that allows you classroom time. That may mean splitting time between administrative tasks and a small class workload, or it could mean having a large enough enrollment to bring in a full-time administrator. If you are excited by strategy and operations, and enjoy building a team, recruiting parents, and overseeing the day-to-day running of the school, keep yourself in an administrative role. There are dozens of roles you might choose to play: why not use this opportunity to ensure you put yourself in your dream job?

Once you’ve worked through your objectives (and written them down!) you’re ready to move on and begin planning.

Business Plan vs. Budget

A common misconception is that a well-defined and detailed budget is essentially the same as a business plan. While a solid budget is an important component of a business plan, a true business plan looks beyond just the projected income and expenses to answer questions about both strategy and tactics. 

The Role of a Business Plan

Business plans can seem daunting if you’ve never had to write one before. It is a must-have document, though, as it serves as a road map for your new school. Although there are many things that are going to be a part of the business plan, it is there to explain what you hope to accomplish with your school and how you are going to accomplish it. Additionally, business plans serve as important documentation for financial institutions or investors to see whether your school is worth investing in.

The Role of a Budget

Budgets, on the other hand, are primarily internal documents you’ll use to track your income and expenses and determine where your spending should take place. If you need new textbooks or want to give someone a raise, your budget will guide you through your decisions and help you determine if you have the money to do so, or what you need to accomplish to make it happen.

Business Plan Types

Creating a business plan can take time, but the good thing is that they tend to follow a consistent format – so you can basically work from a template to create yours. There are two common approaches used today:

Traditional "Full" Business Plan

A traditional, full business plan tends to be comprehensive and detailed. Creation of a full business plan can be time consuming but going through the process will help identify areas of planning that you may not have considered, and the resulting plan should provide sufficient details to be used when talking with banks or investors. For full business plans, the US Small Business Administration has a great  step-by-step guide  that walks you through each section of your business plan, along with some examples to look at.

Start-Up "Lean" Business Plan

An alternate approach is the lean start-up plan, which is faster to write and focuses more on high-level plans and a few key elements. Lean plans can be a good place to start, with the assumption you will update and revise the plan frequently.  Particularly if soliciting funding, you may require additional time and detail later. Tim Berry, one of the leading experts on lean business plans, provides a good overview in his  What's a Lean Business Plan  article.

Creating Your Business Plan

There are lots of options for online business plan templates and most share a lot of common characteristics. There’s nothing wrong with picking one based on personal taste. Any of the following are excellent options as a starting point:

growthink (non-profit business plans)

Rocket Lawyer

My Own Business Institute

InvoiceBerry

US Small Business Administration

That there are many internet-based companies that offer business plan writing or editing, specifically. Here are just a few that you might want to check out:

Cayenne Consulting

Go Business Plans

Wise Business Plans

Many of the same companies that provide the business plan templates we highlighted are business consultants, not just business plan writers. Consultants can help you in your overall plans, particularly in areas where you may need guidance.

Professional organizations and associations for private schools, as well as your local chamber of commerce are also great resources for finding business consultants to assist you in creating your business plan and beyond.

Creating Your Budget

Understanding your costs.

The costs you’ll incur as a new school are really dependent on the choices you make in facilities and staffing. You’ll find a lot of useful information in those sections of this guide and they will help you get a clearer picture of the various expenses you’re going to face as you open up your school.

One of the great things about a budget is that, as long as you can easily read and understand it, the format isn’t going to make or break you. That said, staying organized and keeping track of everything takes a good system. One of the most popular methods is using a spreadsheet or system of spreadsheets to plan your income and expenses. Smartsheet has an excellent business budget template that you can modify to meet the needs of your school.

Once you are up and running, insight into actual income and expenses can be generated by your accounting software. Some accounting packages include budgeting tools as well, easing the work of comparing your plan to your actual numbers.

Tools to Assist With Budget Creation

Several excellent resources exist that can help you develop a budget, including:

The American Association of School Administrators has put together a  School Budgets 101  document that outlines common expenses and budgetary considerations for schools

The Guardian published  A beginner's guide to planning and managing school budgets in 2016, which explains several important budgeting principals.

Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters

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.

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.

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.

What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.

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

Associations

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Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Accelerators & Incubators

Business Consultants & Advisors

Educators & Business Schools

Students & Scholars

AI Business Plan Generator

Financial Forecasting

AI Assistance

Ai Pitch Deck Generator

Strategic Planning

See How Upmetrics Works  →

• Sample Plans
• WHY UPMETRICS?

Customer Success Stories

Business Plan Course

Small Business Tools

Strategic Planning Templates

E-books, Guides & More

• Sample Business Plans
• Education & Training

School Business Plan

High demand and a recurring revenue model make starting a school business a lucrative and rewarding profession.

Anyone can start a new business, but you need a detailed business plan when it comes to raising funding, applying for loans, and scaling it like a pro!

Need help writing a business plan for your school business? You’re at the right place. Our school business plan template will help you get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A School Business Plan?

Writing a school business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your Business:

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.

Market Opportunity:

Educational programs & services:.

Highlight the school services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.

Marketing & Sales Strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your business. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

Describe your business in this section by providing all the basic information:

Describe what kind of school business you run and the name of it. You may specialize in one of the following school businesses:

• Public schools
• Private schools
• Charter schools
• Magnet schools
• Virtual or online schools
• Boarding schools
• International schools
• Religious schools
• Describe the legal structure of your school, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission Statement:

Business history:.

If you’re an established school, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.

Additionally, If you have received any awards or recognition for excellent work, describe them.

Future Goals

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Market size and growth potential:

Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.

Competitive Analysis:

Market trends:.

Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.

Regulatory Environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your school business plan::

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to students. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your school services:

Mention the school services your business will offer. This list may include services like,

• Education programs
• Extracurricular activities
• Counseling & Guidance
• Special education services
• Transportation services
• Food services
• Testing and assessments

Describe specialized programs:

Student leadership programs, additional services:.

In short, this section of your school plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.

Pricing Strategy:

Marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your school business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your school business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training:

Operational process:, equipment & software:.

Include the list of equipment and software required for school, such as whiteboards & projectors, student information systems, learning management systems, communication & collaboration tools, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your school business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO:

Key managers:.

Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.

This section should describe the key personnel for your school, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.

Financing Needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your school business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample school business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful school plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our school business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a school business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful school business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your school.

How to get funding for your school business?

There are several ways to get funding for your school business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your school business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your school business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your school business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any school business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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School Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

School Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their schools.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a school business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a school business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a School Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your school as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a School

If you’re looking to start a school or grow your existing school, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your school to improve your chances of success. Your school business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Schools

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for schools are donations and gifts, tuition, personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for schools.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a school.

If you want to start a school or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your school business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of school you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a school that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of schools?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the school industry.
• Discuss the type of school you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of school you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of schools:

• Private K-12 school : this type of school typically charges tuition, and may be affiliated with a religious organization, or specialize in a particular learning method.
• Charter school: this type of school offers primary or secondary education for a tuition, and may receive some public funding, and/or donations. These schools require their students to take state-mandated exams.
• Special subject school: this type of school specializes in teaching a specific subject, such as driving, first-aid, self-defense, fine arts, language, or general tutoring.
• Preschool: this type of school typically serves children who are aged 3 and 4. These schools prepare young children to enter formal education, and are funded by some combination of tuition, donations, and government grants.

In addition to explaining the type of school you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of students served, the number of students accepted into elite formal education institutions, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the school industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the school industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your school business plan:

• How big is the school industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your school? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your school business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: families with elementary-aged children, families with high-school-aged children, families with preschool children.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of school you operate. Clearly, families with high schoolers would respond to different marketing promotions than families with preschoolers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other schools.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes public schools, virtual schools, and families who do homeschooling. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of students do they serve?
• What type of school are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide specialized instruction, either in subject or in method?
• Will you offer courses or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a school business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of school that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide religious-focused K-8 education, college preparatory courses, or single-subject instruction like driving or fine arts?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the courses and/or extracurricular activities you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your school. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your school located in a growing neighborhood, in the city center, or will you operate purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your school marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your school, including answering calls, planning and delivering instruction, applying for grants, fundraising, performing administrative tasks, overseeing instructors, handling discipline, scheduling and monitoring extracurricular activities, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to enroll your Xth student, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your school to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your school’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing schools. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in running a school or experience with public school administration or who has served on a public school board.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you enroll 100 or 1,000 students per semester, and/or offer extracurricular activities? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your school, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a school:

• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your school location lease or a list of elective courses or extracurricular activities you will offer.  

Writing a business plan for your school is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the school industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful school.  

School Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my school business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your school business plan.

How Do You Start a School?

Starting a school is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your School
• Create Your School Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your School
• Secure Startup Funding for Your School (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your School with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your School
• Buy or Lease the Right School Equipment
• Develop Your School Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your School
• Open for Business

Learn more about   how to start your own school .

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to learn about Growthink’s business plan writing services .

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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Here is a free business plan sample for a private school.

If the idea of shaping young minds and establishing a thriving educational community excites you, then launching a private school might be your calling.

In the following paragraphs, we will guide you through a comprehensive business plan tailored for a private school.

As an aspiring educational entrepreneur, you must recognize that a robust business plan is crucial for laying the foundation of a successful institution. It serves as a roadmap, detailing your educational philosophy, operational strategies, and financial projections.

To streamline your planning process, you can utilize our private school business plan template. Our team of experts is also on standby to provide a complimentary review and offer suggestions for improvement.

How to draft a great business plan for your private school project?

A good business plan for a private school must reflect the unique aspects of educational services.

To start, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of the educational market. This includes offering up-to-date statistics and identifying emerging trends in the education sector, as illustrated in our private school business plan template .

Then, you should articulate your educational philosophy and mission. This encompasses your vision, identifying your target demographic (for example, local families, international students, students with special educational needs), and the distinct educational approach of your school (progressive, traditional, Montessori, International Baccalaureate, etc.).

The next section should delve into market analysis. This requires a thorough understanding of local educational options, demographic trends, and parental preferences.

For a private school, particular emphasis should be placed on the curriculum and extracurricular programs you plan to offer. Detail your academic programs, sports, arts, and other activities, and explain how they cater to the needs and aspirations of your student body.

The operational plan is equally important. It should outline the location of your school, the design and facilities of the campus, faculty recruitment, and the student enrollment process.

For a private school, it is important to highlight the qualifications of your teaching staff, educational methodologies, and standards for student safety and welfare.

Then, address your marketing and enrollment strategy. How will you attract new students and retain current ones? Consider promotional methods, community engagement, and alumni relations.

Adopting digital strategies, such as a user-friendly website or active social media engagement, is also vital in the modern landscape.

The financial structure is another critical component. This includes the initial investment, tuition fee structure, operational expenses, and the point at which the school becomes financially sustainable.

In a private school, managing cash flow is essential, as there may be significant upfront costs before tuition fees are received. Therefore, careful financial planning is imperative. For assistance, refer to our financial forecast for a private school .

Compared to other business plans, a private school's plan must pay special attention to accreditation requirements, educational standards, and long-term student outcomes.

A well-crafted business plan will assist the school founder not only in refining their vision and strategies but also in attracting investors or securing loans.

Lenders and investors seek robust market analysis, realistic financial projections, and a clear understanding of the school's day-to-day operations.

By presenting a thorough and substantiated plan, you showcase your credibility and dedication to the educational venture's success.

To achieve these goals while saving time, simply fill out our private school business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a private school

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a private school .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market data and figures.

The private education sector is a significant and growing market globally.

Recent estimates suggest that the global private schooling market is valued at over 500 billion dollars, with expectations for continued growth as more parents seek specialized and high-quality education for their children.

In the United States, there are over 34,000 private schools, serving 5.7 million PK-12 students, and accounting for 25% of the nation's schools and 10% of all PK-12 students.

These statistics underscore the critical role private schools play in the educational landscape and their substantial contribution to the economy.

Emerging trends in the education sector indicate a shift towards personalized and technologically integrated learning experiences.

There is a growing emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, with schools investing in advanced science labs and computer programming courses to prepare students for the future job market.

Additionally, the rise of digital learning platforms and educational software is transforming traditional teaching methods, allowing for more interactive and student-centered learning.

Environmental education and sustainability are also becoming integral parts of school curricula, reflecting the increasing awareness of global environmental issues.

Moreover, there is a heightened focus on mental health and well-being, with schools incorporating mindfulness practices and social-emotional learning into their programs.

These trends demonstrate how private schools are evolving to meet the educational needs and expectations of a new generation of students and parents.

Success Factors

The success of a private school hinges on several critical elements.

Foremost, the quality of education provided, including the qualifications of teachers and the rigor of academic programs, is paramount in attracting and retaining students.

Innovation in curriculum design and the integration of technology into the classroom are also vital in setting a school apart in a competitive market.

The location and facilities of a school can significantly influence its appeal to potential students and their families.

Exceptional student services and support, including extracurricular activities and college counseling, are essential for fostering a well-rounded educational experience.

Lastly, effective financial management, commitment to sustainability, and the ability to adapt to the evolving educational landscape are key factors for ensuring the long-term success and reputation of a private school.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our private school project is designed to provide a superior educational experience tailored to the needs of students in a nurturing and inclusive environment. Situated in a community with a growing demand for quality education, our school will offer a comprehensive curriculum from kindergarten to high school, with a focus on holistic development, critical thinking, and academic excellence.

The school will feature state-of-the-art facilities, small class sizes for personalized attention, and a diverse range of extracurricular activities to promote well-rounded growth.

Our private school aims to be recognized as a leading institution that not only imparts knowledge but also instills values and life skills essential for the success of our future leaders.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our private school lies in its commitment to fostering an environment where students can excel academically while developing socially and emotionally. We offer a unique blend of rigorous academics, innovative technology integration, and a strong emphasis on character education.

Our dedication to cultivating a passion for lifelong learning and providing a supportive community ensures that each student reaches their full potential. We strive to prepare our students for the challenges of higher education and the global workforce.

By investing in the best educational practices and resources, we are determined to make a significant and positive impact on the lives of our students and their families, setting a new standard for private education in our community.

Project Owner

The project owner is an experienced educator with a visionary approach to teaching and learning. With a background in educational leadership and a commitment to academic excellence, they are passionate about creating a school that reflects the highest standards of education.

Having worked in various educational settings, the project owner brings a wealth of knowledge in curriculum development, student engagement, and community involvement. They are dedicated to building a school that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of students, parents, and the community at large.

With a firm belief in the transformative power of education, the project owner is the driving force behind this initiative, committed to shaping a future where every student has access to an education that empowers them to achieve their dreams.

The Market Study

Target demographics.

The target demographics for our private school encompass a variety of groups.

Primarily, we cater to families valuing high-quality education and seeking an alternative to public schooling for their children.

Additionally, we serve parents looking for specialized curriculums that focus on individual learning styles and advanced educational approaches.

Our school also attracts families interested in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes character development alongside academic excellence.

Lastly, educators and professionals in the field of child development can become advocates for our institution, recommending it to parents who desire a tailored educational experience for their children.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of our private school project highlights several key factors.

Strengths include a dedicated and experienced faculty, a robust curriculum that exceeds standard educational models, and a commitment to student success.

Weaknesses may involve the higher tuition costs compared to public schools and the challenge of maintaining small class sizes for personalized attention.

Opportunities exist in the growing demand for alternative education options and the potential to incorporate innovative teaching methods and technology.

Threats could encompass changes in educational regulations, competition from other private and charter schools, and the economic factors that may affect families' ability to afford private education.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis within the private education sector indicates a competitive landscape.

Direct competitors include other private schools, charter schools, and magnet programs that offer unique or specialized educational experiences.

These institutions compete on the basis of academic reputation, extracurricular offerings, and the quality of their facilities and resources.

Potential competitive advantages for our school include a low student-to-teacher ratio, a strong sense of community, innovative educational programs, and a commitment to holistic student development.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our competitors is crucial for carving out a niche in the market and ensuring high retention and satisfaction rates among our students and their families.

Competitive Advantages

Our private school's competitive advantages lie in our dedication to providing a comprehensive and personalized educational experience.

We offer a broad and diverse curriculum that includes advanced STEM programs, arts, and humanities, all taught by highly qualified educators.

Our focus on fostering a supportive and inclusive community helps students thrive both academically and socially.

We are committed to transparency in our educational practices and policies, which builds trust with our families and ensures a collaborative approach to each student's success.

You can also read our articles about: - the customer segments of a private school - the competition study for a private school

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the private school is designed to establish a strong educational foundation and reputation.

In the first year, we will concentrate on building a robust curriculum and recruiting qualified educators, while also focusing on student enrollment and community engagement.

The second year will be dedicated to enhancing our extracurricular programs and integrating technology into our teaching methods to provide a well-rounded education.

In the third year, we aim to expand our facilities to accommodate more students and introduce specialized programs to cater to diverse learning needs.

Throughout this period, we will commit to excellence in education, fostering a nurturing environment, and adapting to the evolving educational landscape to serve our students and their families effectively.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our private school targets families seeking quality education, personalized learning experiences, and a safe environment for their children.

Our value proposition is centered on providing a superior educational experience, with a focus on individual student growth and preparation for higher education and life beyond school.

We offer our educational services through our campus facilities, supplemented by online resources and platforms to enhance learning.

Key activities include curriculum development, teaching, student support services, and community involvement.

Our revenue streams are derived from tuition fees, fundraising events, and grants, while our costs are primarily associated with faculty salaries, facility maintenance, and educational resources.

Access a detailed and customizable real Business Model Canvas in our school's business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is centered on showcasing the quality of our educational offerings and the success of our students.

We aim to engage with local families through open house events, community partnerships, and showcasing student achievements.

We will also leverage digital marketing, including a strong social media presence and targeted ads, to reach potential new families.

Additionally, we plan to build relationships with local businesses and educational institutions to create a network of support and opportunities for our students.

Our goal is to create a reputable brand that is synonymous with academic excellence and holistic development.

Risk Policy

The risk policy for our private school focuses on mitigating risks related to student safety, academic quality, and financial stability.

We implement rigorous safety protocols and emergency preparedness plans to ensure the well-being of our students and staff.

Academic risks are managed through continuous curriculum assessment and teacher training to maintain high educational standards.

Financial risks are addressed through prudent budgeting, diversified revenue streams, and maintaining a reserve fund for unforeseen expenses.

We also carry comprehensive insurance to protect against potential liabilities. Our priority is to provide a secure and high-quality educational environment for our students.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are committed to establishing a private school that meets the growing demand for personalized and high-quality education.

With our focus on academic excellence, student well-being, and community involvement, we are confident in our school's potential for success.

We are passionate about shaping the future leaders of tomorrow and are prepared to adapt to the educational needs of our students.

We are optimistic about the impact our school will have on the community and the lasting legacy it will create.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a private school - the marketing strategy for a private school

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a private school and our financial plan for a private school .

Initial expenses for our private school include the acquisition or leasing of a suitable campus, classroom and office equipment, educational materials and technology, renovations to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment, hiring qualified teaching and administrative staff, and costs associated with branding and marketing to attract students and establish our school's reputation.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a thorough analysis of the local demand for private education, taking into account factors such as the quality of public education, the socio-economic status of families in the area, and the unique educational programs we offer.

We anticipate a gradual increase in student enrollment, starting with a conservative number and expanding as our school's reputation for excellence grows.

The projected income statement outlines expected tuition fees and other sources of revenue, direct educational costs (teacher salaries, educational materials, technology), and operating expenses (facility maintenance, administrative costs, marketing, etc.).

This results in a forecasted net profit that is essential for assessing the long-term sustainability and profitability of our private school.

The projected balance sheet reflects assets specific to our school, such as educational equipment, technology, and campus facilities, and liabilities including loans and anticipated operational expenses.

It provides a snapshot of the overall financial health of our private school at the end of each fiscal period.

Our projected cash flow statement details the inflows and outflows of cash, enabling us to predict our financial needs at any given time. This will assist us in managing our finances effectively and preventing liquidity issues.

The projected financing plan identifies the specific sources of funds we intend to utilize to cover our startup and operational expenses.

The working capital requirement for our private school will be meticulously managed to ensure we have sufficient liquidity to support our day-to-day operations, including purchasing educational materials, managing inventory, and paying staff salaries.

The break-even point for our school is the number of students needed to enroll to cover all our costs, including startup expenses, and begin generating a profit.

It will signal the point at which our school becomes financially viable.

Performance indicators we will monitor include the student-to-teacher ratio to ensure quality education, the retention rate of students to measure satisfaction and success, and the return on investment to evaluate the efficiency of the capital invested in our educational venture.

These indicators will aid us in assessing the financial health and overall success of our private school.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a private school .

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School Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

School Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your school business plan.

We have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their schools.

Sample Private School Business Plan

Below is a school business plan template to help you create each section of your own education business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Southside Academy, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a private school that has been providing quality education to the community’s school children since 2017. Southside Academy teaches elementary, middle school, and high school students in a wide range of subjects including mathematics, science, and history. We aim to provide a welcoming and inviting environment where every student can reach their highest potential.

We promote academic, artistic, and athletic excellence in a close-knit learning environment, with a challenging curriculum that cultivates intellectual curiosity. Furthermore, we offer a low teacher-to-child ratio, where teachers can build close connections with their students as they help them excel. We develop confident, continual learners by establishing behavioral supports and the social culture needed for students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success.

Service Offering

Southside Academy offers a premium private education at an affordable tuition fee. We provide a challenging education where students can explore their true potential and a safe space where they can freely discover and express themselves. Our students range from 1st grade to 12th grade and we teach a wide variety of subjects including:

• Basic Mathematics
• Physical Education

Customer Focus

Southside Academy primarily serves families within a 5-mile radius of the school’s location. The area is home to thousands of middle and upper-class families looking for high-quality education for their children. Before the school was built, the area was underserved and many children had to travel far to attend quality private schools.

Management Team

Southside Academy’s founder is Mike Brown who has been working as a teacher for more than 20 years. Mike has taught at several public schools in the region but saw a great demand for private education. He noticed that the current location of the school was underserved and set out to create a school to serve this population. Mike Brown has successfully led Southside Academy as its principal since the school’s inception and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Mike Brown is supported by a team that has experience teaching students, managing finances, and running businesses. Specifically, our team has solid experience in being effective teachers, connecting to different types of students, and achieving key goals.

Success Factors

Southside Academy is able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Location: Southside Academy’s location is near the center of town, giving members of our community easy access for parents and their children.
• Passionate and Skillful Teachers: Southside Academy hires teachers with strong academic backgrounds who are skillful in handling all types of children.
• Low teacher-to-student ratio: We provide a low teacher-to-student ratio so that every student gets personal attention from teachers to reach their highest potential.
• Affordable, quality education: Most of the schools in the area offer their services at a very expensive price. Our fees will be moderately low so that good education is accessible to all families.

Financial Highlights

Southside Academy is currently seeking additional donations of $600,000 in order to fulfill our mission. The breakdown of the funding may be seen below:

• Salaries: $200,000
• School Materials (books, toys, desks, chairs, etc): $180,000
• Administrative Expenses: $120,000 to pay for lease costs, ongoing operational expenses, and marketing.
• Working capital: $100,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Southside Academy.

Company Overview

Who is southside academy, southside academy’s history.

Southside Academy started as an idea from a group of school teachers, including Mike Brown. The teachers were university pals who are passionate about teaching and children. They have seen the gaps in education in St. Paul, Minnesota, and wanted to create a school that elevates the academic environment for the children of this area.

Their plans to build a school started in 2015, but it was only until April 2016 that they finally completed all the paperwork and met the legal requirements. Since then, Southside Academy has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a location and built the school
• Developed the school’s name, logo, and website
• Determined curriculum
• Hired teachers and other key employees

Southside Academy’s Services

Industry analysis.

Education is an essential foundation for a thriving society. It’s more important than ever before that every child has access to affordable, high-quality education. While public schools are an essential option for many low-income families, the education provided by private schools often results in higher test scores and more students moving on to top-tier universities.

The private school industry has experienced steady growth in the past five years. The key industry drivers are economic growth, the rise in numbers of K-12 students, an increase in the number of families with both parents working, and government initiatives to support education.

According to Polaris Market Research, this growth is expected to continue with a forecasted compound annual growth rate of 6.6% from now until 2030. This shows that Southside Academy has great potential to keep growing and expanding. We will have ample opportunities to grow our curriculum and offer services to students that help them reach their highest potential.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Southside Academy serves the families and children of St. Paul, Minnesota. The area is mostly populated by young couples and new families that have disposable income and can pay a premium for their children’s education.

The precise demographics of the town in which our location resides are as follows:

Customer Segmentation

We primarily target the following three customer segments:

• Young children
• Young couples

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Southside Academy faces competition from other schools with similar profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.  

Waters Independent School

Founded in 1968, Waters Independent School is a non-profit and tax-exempt independent school system. The school is governed by an independent Board of Trustees and offers preschool through eighth-grade programs. WIS is accredited by the state’s Council of Independent Schools (FCIS).

Waters Independent School has small class sizes with low student-to-teacher ratios. Further, WIS’ Programs include a strong academic foundation coupled with programs in the arts, physical education, media/technology, foreign language, and extracurricular areas.  

Hill Preparatory School

Founded in 1923, Hill Preparatory School is a private, non-sectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school. It offers PK-12 programs in a safe, student-centered environment. HPS supports its students through the challenges of the school year with one-on-one attention from dedicated faculty, robust services like The Learning Center and the College Center, and the most advanced educational technology. The campus spans 28 acres and has a new 60,000+ square foot facility.  

Future Leaders Preparatory School

Founded in 1968, Future Leaders Prep is a private school for PreK3-8th grade. FLPS offers preschool, elementary school, and middle school programs and offers the International Baccalaureate program of study for all students. Teachers are endorsed in gifted education through a master’s level grant with [local University]’s College of Education Gifted Program. In addition to the school, Future Leaders offers community programs such as music, dance, art, and theater lessons through the Community School of the Arts, youth sports in the Community School for Sports, and the 7-week summer camp.

Competitive Advantage

There are many schools in St. Paul, Minnesota but none of them provides the same quality of education that Southside Academy provides, specifically the following:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

The Southside Academy brand will focus on the school’s unique value proposition:

• Providing premium education at an affordable price
• Providing a supportive and challenging place for children to learn
• Giving parents the assurance that their children will reach their full potential

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Southside Academy is as follows:

Social Media

Southside Academy will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. The school will utilize social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. It will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Publications

The school will place print advertisements in key local publications, including newspapers, area magazines, and business newsletters. Additionally, Southside Academy will print brochures and place them in specific locations frequented by target individuals.

Website/SEO

Southside Academy will invest heavily in developing a professional website that displays all of the features and benefits of Southside Academy. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the school’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Direct Mail

Southside Academy will blanket neighborhoods with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on Southside Academy and incentives to enroll.

Southside Academy prices its tuition at a moderate price so our students and their families feel they are getting great value when choosing our school.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Southside Academy.

Operation Functions:

• Mike Brown is the school Principal. He manages the teachers, directs the direction of education, and serves as the head of the school.
• Mike is joined by Amanda Johnson who acts as the Administrative Assistant for the school. She helps Mike with the operations of the school as well as the marketing and administrative functions.
• Mike has hired an extensive team of highly qualified educators. Together, they teach dozens of subjects, including biology, chemistry, social studies, and mathematics. Every teacher that works for Southside Academy is passionate about education and pushing their students to reach their highest potential.

Milestones:

Southside Academy expects to achieve the following milestones in the following six months:

• 3/202X Kickoff of promotional campaign to attract new students
• 4/202X Start donation campaign
• 5/202X Hire new teachers for the upcoming year
• 6/202X Achieve donation/funding goal
• 7/202X Finalize list of incoming students for next year
• 8/202X Start next school year

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

Southside Academy’s revenues come from student tuition fees and donations from both individuals and corporations.

The major costs for the company will be staffing, marketing expenses, location maintenance, equipment, and materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Southside Academy is currently seeking additional fundraising and capital of $600,000 in order to fulfill our mission. The breakdown of the funding may be seen below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and to pay off the startup business loan.

• Year 1: 200
• Year 2: 300
• Year 3: 400
• Year 4: 500
• Year 5: 600
• Tuition rate per year: $10,000

Financial Statements

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, school business plan faqs, what is a school business plan.

A school business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your school business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your School business plan using our School Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of School Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of school businesses, some examples include: private K-12 school, charter school, virtual schools, independent schools, primary school, secondary education, or preschool.

How Do You Get Funding for Your School Business Plan?

School businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a School Business?

Starting a school business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A School Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed school business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your school business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your school business is in compliance with local laws.

3, Register Your School Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your school business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your school business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary School Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your school business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your school business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful school business:

• How to Start a School

Other Helpful Business Plan Templates

Nonprofit Business Plan Template

Starting a Private School

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 before your projected opening date

Most school academic years begin in the fall. Usually in September or thereabouts. So you want to start the project at least 3 years out. You may even need an extra year or two more than that. The size and scope of the project and the funding resources at your disposal will determine how early you should start.

Determine what kind of school the local market needs. You may know what you want. But does the market affirm your vision of the kind of school which you are planning?

30-24 months out

Form a small steering committee of talented supporters to begin the preliminary work. Include parents with financial, legal, and management experience. Include people who are not afraid to play devil's advocate. Constructive criticism will clarify your objectives and plans before you get past the point of no return.

18 months out

File incorporation papers with your Secretary of State. You need a legal framework for everybody's protection. That's why you asked some attorneys to be on the steering committee. They know how to protect the about-to-be-hatched school. Listen to them. Do not stint on what they recommend.

Develop a business plan. Your gift may be teaching. But you need to enlist the aid of a successful business person to draw up your business plan. Potential donors will want to see what you hope to accomplish in Year 1, Year 3, Year 5, Year 10, etc., before they will commit significant sums to the project. Your vision will become a reality when guided by a sound, well-devised business plan.

Develop a budget for 3 years. The business plan lays out the steps to realizing your vision. A budget breaks down that vision into an annual financial plan which enables you to project income and expenses.

Locate a facility to house the school or develop building plans if you will be creating your own facility from scratch. Consult a commercial real estate professional to determine what kind of facilities are on the market in your locale. Yes, you need commercial real estate and the zoning which goes along with it for the establishment of your school. Just because an anonymous donor has said that she will give you her baronial estate, you still need to understand that zoning approvals must be obtained and won BEFORE any commitments can be made. Your donor's single car and driver didn't create any traffic. Hundreds of cars arriving in the early morning and late afternoon will attract neighborly attention for sure.

16 months out

Apply for tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. You need this document in order that donations can be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Don't piggyback on some related institution's tax-exempt status. Get your own.

Identify your Head of School and your Business Manager. Once you have the IRS approval in place, then search for your Head of School and Business Manager. These professionals will translate your vision with all its goals and objectives into reality. Hire people who are not afraid of risk. Starting a new school is a leap of faith. Some more timid souls will look at the job as potential career limiting experiences. The candidates with real leadership skills are the ones you need and want to hire.

14 months out

Secure your initial funding - donors and subscriptions. All gifts are welcome. But the money will really start rolling in once you attract a couple of well-known donors. Do your homework and lay the groundwork for fund-raising from the earliest stages. Your enthusiasm will be a powerful tool. But a sound business plan and key professionals will cinch the deal.

Attract skilled faculty by paying them fairly AND with the vision of your new school. Appeal to their entrepreneurial side and emphasis that you are looking for team players. Given the number of job cuts in public K-12 schools, you should be able to attract the talent you need without too much difficulty. This video will help make your first open house a success.

Market your school. Advertise. Promote. Tell the story of your new school through presentations at service clubs and other community groups.

9 months out

Open your school's office. Schedule admissions interviews. Organize tours of your new facilities by service clubs and other local groups. It is so important to create some buzz about your new school. Schedule open houses both for prospective parents and community leaders.

2 months out

There's much to do before opening day. Have faculty in place early in order to get the school ready for opening. Don't leave the teachers out of the picture until the week before your opening. Organizing their classrooms, tweaking their curricula and timetables - these essential tasks take time and lots of energy. You can also build invaluable esprit de corps during the weeks before school opens.

Opening day

Make it a festive occasion. Invite the local dignitaries, members of the city council and state legislature. Lots of positive stories in the local press and television stations will expose your new school to a wider audience.

Welcome your students. Begin to make them understand this is the best thing they ever did. Make them believe, as you do, that this school is going to be the very best. This is a very special opportunity for instilling school spirit. Once students believe in their school, word will spread very quickly about all the special features and unique qualities of your school. After all, isn't that why you wanted to start the school in the first place? You did want to establish a school that reflected your take on education, right? Good luck!

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @privateschoolreview

More Articles

How to write a business plan for a private secondary school?

Putting together a business plan for a private secondary school can be daunting - especially if you're creating a business for the first time - but with this comprehensive guide, you'll have the necessary tools to do it confidently.

We will explore why writing one is so important in both starting up and growing an existing private secondary school, as well as what should go into making an effective plan - from its structure to content - and what tools can be used to streamline the process and avoid errors.

Without further ado, let us begin!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a private secondary school?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for a private secondary school?
• How do I build a financial forecast for a private secondary school?

The written part of a private secondary school business plan

• What tool should I use to write my private secondary school business plan?

Being clear on the scope and goals of the document will make it easier to understand its structure and content. So before diving into the actual content of the plan, let's have a quick look at the main reasons why you would want to write a private secondary school business plan in the first place.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

It's rarely business as usual for small businesses. The economy follows cycles where years of growth are followed by recessions, and the business environment is always changing with new technologies, new regulations, new competitors, and new consumer behaviours appearing all the time...

In this context, running a business without a clear roadmap is like driving blindfolded: it's dangerous at best. That's why writing a business plan for a private secondary school is essential to create successful and sustainable businesses.

To write an effective business plan, you will need to take stock of where you are (if you are already in business) and where you want the business to go in the next three to five years.

Once you know where you want your private secondary school to be, you'll have to identify:

• what resources (human, equipment, and capital) are needed to get there,
• at what pace the business needs to progress to get there in time,
• and what risks you'll face along the way.

Going through this process regularly is beneficial, both for startups and existing companies, as it helps make informed decisions about how best to allocate resources to ensure the long-term success of the business.

To get visibility on future cash flows

If your small private secondary school runs out of cash: it's game over. That's why we often say "cash is king", and it's crucial to have a clear view of your private secondary school's future cash flows.

So, how can you achieve this? It's simple - you need to have an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your private secondary school business plan already includes a financial forecast (which we'll discuss further in this guide). Your task is to ensure it stays current.

To accomplish this, it's essential to regularly compare your actual financial performance with what was planned in your financial forecast. Based on your business's current trajectory, you can make adjustments to the forecast.

By diligently monitoring your private secondary school's financial health, you'll be able to spot potential financial issues, like unexpected cash shortfalls, early on and take corrective actions. Moreover, this practice will enable you to recognize and capitalize on growth opportunities, such as excess cash flow enabling you to expand to new locations.

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your private secondary school, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your private secondary school has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your private secondary school, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for a private secondary school

Drafting a private secondary school business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast, and convince the reader that there is a viable commercial opportunity to be seized.

Below, we'll focus on three critical pieces of information you should gather before starting to write your plan.

Carrying out market research for a private secondary school

Before you begin writing your business plan for a private secondary school, conducting market research is a critical step in ensuring precise and realistic financial projections.

Market research grants you valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other crucial factors that can impact the success of your business.

In the course of this research, you may stumble upon trends that could impact your private secondary school.

You may find that potential students are increasingly interested in extracurricular activities. Market research could reveal that students may be looking for a school that provides a variety of activities, such as sports teams, clubs, or other experiential learning opportunities. Additionally, market research could indicate that parents may be looking for a school that provides a high-quality education, with a focus on technology and innovation. This could mean that students are interested in being equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Such market trends play a pivotal role in revenue forecasting, as they provide essential data regarding potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By integrating these findings into your financial projections, you can provide investors with more accurate information, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about investing in your private secondary school.

Developing the marketing plan for a private secondary school

Before delving into your private secondary school business plan, it's imperative to budget for sales and marketing expenses.

To achieve this, a comprehensive sales and marketing plan is essential. This plan should provide an accurate projection of the necessary actions to acquire and retain customers.

Additionally, it will outline the required workforce to carry out these initiatives and the corresponding budget for promotions, advertising, and other marketing endeavours.

By budgeting accordingly, you can ensure that the right resources are allocated to these vital activities, aligning them with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and capital expenditure requirements of a private secondary school

Whether you are starting or expanding a private secondary school, it is important to have a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) in order to ensure the success of the business.

Both the recruitment and investment plans need to be coherent with the timing and level of growth planned in your forecast, and require appropriate funding.

Staffing costs for a private secondary school might include the salaries of the headmaster, teachers, administrative staff, custodial staff, and cafeteria workers. Equipment costs might include the purchase of textbooks, scientific equipment, computers, furniture, and other supplies.

In order to create a realistic financial forecast, you will also need to consider the other operating expenses associated with running the business on a day-to-day basis (insurance, bookkeeping, etc.). 

Once you have all the necessary information to create a business plan for your private secondary school, it is time to start creating your financial forecast.

What goes into your private secondary school's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your private secondary school will enable you to assess the profitability potential of your business in the coming years and how much capital is required to fund the actions planned in the business plan.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a private secondary school are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The projected P&L statement

Your private secondary school forecasted P&L statement enables the reader of your business plan to get an idea of how much revenue and profits your business is expected to make in the near future.

Ideally, your reader will want to see:

• Growth above the inflation level
• Expanding profit margins
• Positive net profit throughout the plan

Expectations for an established private secondary school will of course be different than for a startup. Existing businesses which have reached their cruising altitude might have slower growth and higher margins than ventures just being started.

The projected balance sheet of your private secondary school

Your private secondary school's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
• Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Your private secondary school's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

• Your private secondary school's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
• And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The cash flow forecast

As we've seen earlier in this guide, monitoring future cash flows is the key to success and the only way of ensuring that your private secondary school has enough cash to operate.

As you can expect showing future cash flows is the main role of the cash flow forecast in your private secondary school business plan.

It is best practice to organise the cash flow statement by nature in order to show the cash impact of the following areas:

• Cash flow generated from operations: the operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the business's commercial activities
• Cash flow from investing activities: the investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.) either to maintain the business's equipment or to expand its capabilities
• Cash flow from financing activities: the financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to financiers

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to make sure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

Your private secondary school business plan will normally include both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The sources and uses table or initial financing plan is a key component of your business plan when starting a private secondary school.

It shows where the capital needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be spent (uses).

This table helps size the investment required to set up the private secondary school, and understand how risks will be distributed between the business owners, and the financiers.

The sources and uses table also highlights what the starting cash position will be. This is key for startups as the business needs to have sufficient funding to sustain operations until the break-even point is reached.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what will go into the financial forecast of your private secondary school business plan, let's have a look at the written part of the plan.

The written part of a private secondary school business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Throughout these sections, you will seek to provide the reader with the details and context needed for them to form a view on whether or not your business plan is achievable and your forecast a realistic possibility.

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The first section of your private secondary school's business plan is the executive summary which provides, as its name suggests, an enticing summary of your plan which should hook the reader and make them want to know more about your business.

When writing the executive summary, it is important to provide an overview of the business, the market, the key financials, and what you are asking from the reader.

Start with a brief introduction of the business, its name, concept, location, how long it has been in operation, and what makes it unique. Mention any services or products you plan to offer and who you sell to.

Then you should follow with an overview of the addressable market for your private secondary school, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, you should detail any funding requirements in the ask section.

2. The presentation of the company

The second section in your private secondary school's business plan should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of the company.

The structure and ownership part provides an overview of the legal structure of the business, who the owners are and how much each has invested and owns. If you are seeking financing it is important that the reader gets a clear picture of which legal entity is receiving the funds, and who controls the business.

The location part should give an overview of the premises from which the company is operating, and why that location is of particular interest (catchment area, accessibility, amenities nearby, etc.).

When describing the location of your private secondary school to a third party financier, you could emphasize the potential of the local market. You may point out the benefits of a major city nearby, such as potential access to a highly-educated workforce, businesses, and other resources. You could also mention the potential for a robust transportation network, which could help your school attract students from a wider region. Additionally, you might mention the potential of the area to attract students from outside of the area, as the local geography and climate could be attractive to prospective students.

Finally, you should introduce the management team. Explain each member's role, background, and experience.

It is also important to emphasize any past successes that the members of the management team have achieved, and how long they've been working together, as this will help potential lenders or investors understand why they should trust in their leadership.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your private secondary school might offer its customers a range of classes such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses, foreign language classes, and a variety of extracurricular activities. Additionally, the school might provide services such as guidance counseling, college admissions assistance, and mentoring programs. All of these offerings would help to ensure that students are well prepared for life after graduation.

4. The market analysis

When presenting your market analysis in your private secondary school business plan, you should detail the customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any regulations that may apply.

The goal of this section is to help the reader understand how big and attractive your market is, and demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of the industry.

You should start with the demographics and segmentation subsection, which gives an overview of the addressable market for your private secondary school, the main trends in the marketplace, and introduces the different customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

The target market section should follow and zoom on the customer segments your private secondary school is targeting, and explain how your products and services meet the specific needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include affluent families who are willing to invest in their children's education and want them to attend a private school. These parents might value the quality of education, the smaller class sizes, and the extracurricular activities that a private school can offer. They would be likely to be willing to pay a premium for these features.

Then comes the competition subsection, where you should introduce your main competitors and explain what differentiates you from them.

Finally, you should finish your market analysis by giving an overview of the main regulations applicable to your private secondary school.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your private secondary school business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your private secondary school may face a variety of risks. For example, it could be at risk of financial losses if there is a decrease in enrollment numbers. Additionally, it might be vulnerable to cyber-attacks if its online systems are not properly secured. Adequate security measures and contingency plans should be in place to protect the school from these potential risks.

6. The operations section

The operations of your private secondary school must be presented in detail in your business plan.

Begin by addressing your staff, specifying the main roles and your recruitment plan to support the anticipated growth. Outline the qualifications and experience needed for each role and discuss your recruitment strategies, which may involve using job boards, referrals, or headhunters.

Next, clearly state your private secondary school's operating hours, allowing the reader to gauge the adequacy of your staffing levels. Additionally, mention any considerations for varying opening times during peak seasons and your approach to handling customer queries outside regular operating hours.

The key assets and intellectual property (IP) required to run your business should also be highlighted. If you rely on licenses, trademarks, physical structures like equipment or property, or lease agreements, ensure they are well-documented in this section.

Your private secondary school might have two key assets and forms of intellectual property: its proprietary curriculum and its brand. The curriculum could be a unique blend of traditional and innovative teaching methods that are tailored to the specific needs and goals of the school. It may also include a variety of resources to support students in their learning. Additionally, the school may have cultivated its own brand and image that differentiate it from other educational institutions. This might include a recognizable logo, mascot, mission statement, and other distinguishing characteristics.

Finally, provide a comprehensive list of suppliers you intend to collaborate with, along with a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms, such as price, payment terms, break clauses and contract duration. Investors often seek insight into the reasons behind your supplier choices, which may include a preference for higher-quality products or established relationships from past ventures.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of the content of a private secondary school business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours.

What tool should I use to write my private secondary school's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main solutions for creating a private secondary school business plan:

• Using specialized online business plan software,
• Outsourcing the plan to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your private secondary school's business plan

Using online business planning software is the most efficient and modern way to create a private secondary school business plan.

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your private secondary school's business plan

Outsourcing your private secondary school business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are experienced in writing business plans and adept at creating financial forecasts without errors. Furthermore, hiring a consultant can save you time and allow you to focus on the day-to-day operations of your business.

However, hiring business plan writers is expensive as you are paying for the software used by the consultant, plus their time, and their profit margin of course.

From experience, you need to budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a complete business plan, more if you need to make changes after the initial version (which happens frequently after the initial meetings with lenders or investors).

You also need to be careful when seeking investment. Investors want their money to be used to grow the business, not spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services (and other consulting services such as legal services) needs to be negligible relative to the amount raised.

The other drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself: you just get the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business plan software - which makes it difficult to maintain the document up to date without hiring the consultant on a retainer.

For these reasons, outsourcing the private secondary school business plan to a business plan writer should be considered carefully, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of hiring outside help.

Ultimately, it may be the right decision for some businesses, while others may find it beneficial to write their business plan using online software.

Why not create your private secondary school's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a private secondary school business plan is not advisable. Allow me to explain the reasons.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel or any spreadsheet demands technical expertise in accounting principles and financial modelling. Without a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, it's unlikely that the reader will fully trust your numbers.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the go-to option in the past, technology has evolved, and software now performs such tasks much faster and more accurately.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software offers ease in comparing actuals versus forecasts and maintaining up-to-date forecasts for clear visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. Such tasks are cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's address the written part of your private secondary school business plan. While it may be less prone to errors, using software can significantly boost productivity. Word processors lack instructions and examples for each section of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they lack automated formatting capabilities.

In summary, while some entrepreneurs may consider Word or Excel for their business plan, it's far from the best or most efficient solution when compared to specialized software.

• A business plan has 2 complementary parts: a financial forecast showcasing the expected growth, profits and cash flows of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to judge if the forecast is realistic and relevant.
• Having an up-to-date business plan is the only way to keep visibility on your private secondary school's future cash flows.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this practical guide gave you insights on how to write the business plan for your private secondary school. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you still have questions.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• In-depth business plan structure
• Key steps to write a business plan?
• Free business plan template

Know someone who owns or wants to start a private secondary school? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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How to Start a Private School

Steps and Tips

Daderot / Wikimedia Commons

• For Parents & Educators
• Choosing a Private School
• Homework Help
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• B.A., Classics, McGill University

Starting a private school is a lengthy and complicated process. Fortunately, many people have done it before you, and there is much inspiration and practical advice in their examples.

In fact, browsing the history section of any established private school's website can prove extremely useful. Some of these stories will inspire you. Others will remind you that starting a school takes lots of time, money, and support. Below is a timeline for the tasks involved in starting your own private school .

Today's Private School Climate

Before embarking on the journey of starting your own private school, it's important to note the economic climate in the private school sector.

A 2019 report by Bellwether Education Partners, a national educational nonprofit, noted that in previous decades, thousands of Catholic schools closed and many other private schools had lower enrollment. They reported this was caused by the increasing tuition fees that many middle- and lower-income families weren't anymore able to afford.

In fact, The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) published a strategic plan for 2013-2017, in which it pledged to increase efforts to "help schools identify and recruit qualified families in North America." This pledge led to the creation of the North American Boarding Initiative to address the declining enrollment in private boarding schools. This passage is taken from their website:

Again, we face a serious enrollment challenge. Domestic boarding enrollment has declined gradually, yet consistently, for more than a dozen years. It's a trend that shows no sign of reversing itself. Moreover, multiple surveys have confirmed that a lion's share of boarding school leaders identify domestic boarding as their most pressing strategic challenge. As a community of schools, it is time once again to take decisive action.

As of 2019, the statistical data provided by the Independent School Facts report for TABS displays that the actual numbers of enrollees over the previous five years have either been steady or growing slowly. Similarly, new and new private schools have been created, which probably also accounts for this growth.

At the same time, the National Association of Independent Schools  remarks that even though about 40% of private schools lost enrollees between 2006 and 2014, schools in areas with economic growth, like New York City or the Western states, kept growing.

Considerations

In today's day and age, it does warrant careful consideration and planning to determine if creating another private school in the current market is appropriate. This assessment will vary greatly on a number of factors, including the strength of area schools, the number of and quality of competitor schools, geographic area, and needs of the community, among others. 

For example, a rural town in the midwest without strong public school options may benefit from a private school, or depending on the location, a private school might not generate enough interest there. However, in an area like New England, which is already home to more than 150 independent schools, starting a new institution might or might not be quite as successful. 

1. Identify Your Niche

36-24 months before opening.

Determine what kind of school the local market needs—K-8, 9-12, day, boarding, Montessori, etc. Ask area parents and teachers for their opinions, and if you can afford it, hire a marketing company to do a survey. It will help you focus your efforts and ensure that you're making a sound business decision.

Once you determine what kind of school you will be opening, decide with how many grades you will actually start. Your long-range plans may call for a K-12 school, but it makes more sense to start small and grow solidly. Typically, you would establish the primary division, and add the upper grades over time as your resources permit.

2. Form a Committee

24 months before opening.

Form a small committee of talented supporters to begin the preliminary work. Include parents or other prominent members of your community who have financial, legal, management, and building experience. Ask for and get a commitment of time and financial support from each member.

You are undertaking important planning work which will demand much time and energy, and these people can become the core of your first board of directors. Co-opt additional paid talent, if you can afford it, to guide you through the various challenges, which will inevitably confront you.

3. Find a Home

20 months before opening.

Locate a facility to house the school or develop building plans if you will be creating your own facility from scratch. Only be aware that building your school will be immensely more expensive and time-consuming than working with an already existing building. Your architect and contractor committee members should spearhead this assignment.

At the same time, think carefully before you leap at acquiring that wonderful old mansion or vacant office space. Schools require good locations for many reasons, not the least of which is safety. Older buildings can be money pits. Instead, investigate modular buildings which will be greener as well.

4. Incorporate

18 months before opening.

File incorporation papers with your Secretary of State. The lawyer on your committee should be able to handle this for you. There are costs associated with the filing, but being on the committee, your lawyer would ideally donate their legal services to the cause.

This is a critical step in your long-term fundraising. People will give money much more readily to a legal entity or institution as opposed to a person. If you have already decided to establish your own proprietary school, you will be on your own when it comes to raising money.

5. Develop a Business Plan

Develop a business plan . This should be a blueprint of how the school is going to operate over its first five years. Always be conservative in your projections and don't try to do everything in these first years unless you have been lucky enough to find a donor to fund the program in its entirety. Make sure your plan is solid as this is what will further attract donors to your cause.

6. Develop a Budget

Develop a budget for 5 years; this is the detailed look at income and expenses. The financial person on your committee should be responsible for developing this critical document. As always, project your assumptions conservatively and factor in some wriggle room should things go wrong.

You need to develop two budgets: an operating budget and a capital budget. For example, a swimming pool or an arts facility would fall under the capital side, while planning for social security expenses would be an operating budget expense. Seek expert advice.

7. Tax-Exempt Status

16 months before opening.

Apply for tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Again, your lawyer can handle this application. Submit it as early in the process as you can so that you can begin to solicit tax-deductible contributions. People and businesses will definitely look at your fundraising efforts much more favorably if you are a recognized tax-exempt organization.

Tax-exempt status might also help with local taxes, though it is recommended that you pay local taxes whenever or wherever possible, as a gesture of goodwill.

8. Choose Key Staff Members

Identify your Head of School and your Business Manager. To do that, conduct your search as widely as possible. Write job descriptions for these and all your other staff and faculty positions. You will be looking for self-starters who enjoy building something from scratch.

Once IRS approvals are in place, hire the head and the business manager. It will be up to you to provide them with the stability and focus of a steady job to get your school open; they will need to provide their expertise to ensure an opening on time.

9. Solicit Contributions

14 months before opening.

Secure your initial funding—donors and subscriptions. Plan your campaign carefully so that you can build momentum, yet are able to keep pace with actual funding needs. Appoint a dynamic leader from your planning group to ensure the success of these initial efforts.

Bake sales and car washes are not going to yield the large amount of capital which you will need. On the other hand, well-planned appeals to foundations and local philanthropists will pay off. If you can afford it, hire a professional to help you write proposals and identify donors.

10. Identify Your Faculty Requirements

It is critical to attract skilled faculty . Do so by agreeing to competitive compensation. Sell your future employees on the vision of your new school; the chance to shape something is always appealing. While it is still over a year until you open, line up as many faculty members as you can. Do not leave this important job until the last minute.

11. Spread the Word

Advertise for students. Promote the new school through service club presentations and other community groups. Design a website and set up a mailing list to keep interested parents and donors in touch with your progress. Marketing your school is something that has to be done consistently, appropriately, and effectively. If you can afford it, hire an expert to get this important job done.

12. Open for Business

9 months before opening.

Open the school office and begin admissions interviews and tours of your facilities. January before a fall opening is the latest you can do this. Ordering instructional materials, planning curricula, and devising a master timetable are just some of the tasks your professionals will have to attend to.

13. Orient and Train Your Faculty

1 month before opening.

Have faculty in place to get the school ready for opening. The first year at a new school requires endless meetings and planning sessions for the academic staff. Get your teachers on the job no later than August 1 in order to be prepared for opening day.

Depending on how lucky you are at attracting qualified teachers, you may have your hands full with this aspect of the project. Take the time needed to sell your new teachers on the school's vision. They need to buy into it, so that your school can take off with the right atmosphere.

14. Opening Day

Make this a soft opening at which you welcome your students and any interested parents at a brief assembly. Then off to classes. Teaching is what your school will be known for. It needs to begin promptly on Day One.

The formal opening ceremony should be a festive occasion. Schedule it for a few weeks after the soft opening. Faculty and students will have sorted themselves out by then. In this way, a feeling of community will be apparent, and the public impression which your new school will make will be a positive one. Be sure to invite local, regional, and state leaders.

Stay Informed

Join national and state private school associations. You will find incomparable resources. The networking opportunities for you and your staff are virtually limitless. Plan on attending association conferences in Year One so that your school is visible. That will ensure plenty of applications for vacant positions in the following academic year.

• Be conservative in your projections of revenues and expenses even if you have a way to pay for everything.
• Make sure real estate agents are aware of the new school, as families moving into the community always ask about schools. Arrange open houses and gatherings to promote your new school.
• Submit your school's website to online databases where parents and teachers can become aware of its existence.
• Always plan your facilities with growth and expansion in mind, and be sure to keep them green as well—a sustainable school will last many years.
• “Toward Equitable Access and Affordability: How Private Schools and Microschools Seek to Serve Middle- and Low-Income Students.”   Bellwether Education , 27 Aug. 2019.
• “Enrollment Trends in Independent Schools.”   NAIS, 2015 .
• “Strategic Plan 2013-2017.”   TABS Strategic Plan 2013-2017 .
• Running a School: Resources for Administrators
• Private School Donations
• How Do Private Schools Determine Aid?
• How to Afford Private School
• How a Student's Rights Differ in a Private School vs. Public School
• Advice About Finding a Private School Teaching Job
• Private School Teaching Job Search Tips
• Private School Admissions Guide
• How Do I Find Private Schools Near Me?
• 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Private School
• Top 10 Questions Parents Have About Private Schools
• 6 Factors to Help You Choose a Public or Private Education
• Headmasters' Compensation
• Open House at Private Schools
• Choosing the Best School for Your Child
• Reasons Why You Should Consider Private School

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How to Start a Private School

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Approved

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 36 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 832,903 times. Learn more...

Starting a private school is a long-term process that generally takes no less than 2 years. Private schools offer high-quality education and are not managed by the state. By starting a private school, you’ll be providing a valuable service to families with children in your community. Begin by tackling the big-picture planning questions that surround creating a school, and then move into hiring faculty and staff and recruiting students.

Choosing a School Structure

• If you opt to run a non-profit private school, follow up by applying for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with the IRS.

• If you aren’t sure who to ask to become a committee member, reach out to other private schools in your area. Talk to their administration members, and find out who those schools used as committee members.

• As another option, consider a Montessori school. Montessori schools are almost always private and offer children a discovery-based model of academic experimentation and learning.

• Many private schools start with fewer and lower grade levels and add upper grades over time. For instance, you could begin by offering K-5. Then, after 3 or 4 years, you can add grades 6-8.

• Unless you have a huge operating budget, do not plan to construct a new building for your school.

Creating a Business Plan and Finding Funding

• Whether your school is nonprofit or for-profit, a business plan will help by setting the school on a successful path.
• A sound business plan will also inspire confidence—and generosity—in your potential financial donors.

• Your committee accountant or financial specialist should help with the budget. If you don’t have a financial specialist on your committee, seek expert financial advice.
• Starting a private school from scratch is an expensive undertaking. On average, starting a private school in the U.S. costs $1,000,000. The same undertaking in the U.K. costs, on average, £930,000. [8] X Research source

• When soliciting funds from financial partners, show potential investors your business plan. This will clarify to them that you know what you’re doing and that your private school is worth serious investment.

• If you have an attorney on your founding committee, ask them to handle this step. Their professional expertise will be invaluable.

Hiring and Training Key Staff and Faculty

• The principal and business administrator can work alongside your committee members to handle financial, legal, and academic obligations prior to the start of school.

• To find qualified applicants, post job descriptions on online job-finding sites like Monster, LinkedIn, and Indeed.

• Once faculty members have been hired, ask them what supplies they’ll need in order to successfully teach their core subject. Work with them to order curriculum materials, furniture, and educational supplies.

• This will be especially valuable if you’re teaching in a private school where the majority of the curriculum has already been developed and is handed down to the instructors.

Registering and Opening the School

• The state will send a representative to the campus to inspect the facilities and make sure they’re up to code and safe.
• The state will also request a school calendar and list of the names of enrolled students.

• If you're starting a school within the U.S., there are 6 regional educational accrediting agencies that you should apply to based on your location. These accreditation agencies include: [14] X Research source
• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (CACSCOC)
• The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

• To help drum up interest online, ask one of your committee members to design a website that will provide admissions and enrollment information.
• Once you have some interested community members, you could offer a tour of the private school so that parents and potential students can become familiar with the building and layout.

• Have your committee/board members on hand as well. Also try inviting local government officials, like the city mayor or the district’s state representative.

Community Q&A

• Joining national private school associations, such as NAIS.org, will provide support for you and give your private school national exposure. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Private schools often have high academic standards, low teacher-student ratios, availability of non-core subjects such as art and music. Most also place an emphasis on discipline, safety, community service, and values. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• Private schools can be proprietary (for-profit). However, most are incorporated non-profit entities. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://cullinanelaw.com/how-to-start-a-private-school/
• ↑ https://www.privateschoolreview.com/blog/starting-a-private-school
• ↑ http://www.ourkids.net/school/day-vs-boarding-schools.php
• ↑ https://www.profitableventure.com/cost-start-a-private-school/
• ↑ http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/private-schools/opening-a-private-school.stml
• ↑ https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/you-can-start-your-own-school/
• ↑ https://ncadmin.nc.gov/citizens/private-school/private-schools-k-12-requirements
• ↑ https://www.chea.org/regional-accrediting-organizations

About This Article

To start a private school, start with fundamental decisions like whether the school will be non-profit and what grade levels it will cater to. Next, write a detailed business plan and create a budget that includes how you plan to receive funding for the school. Then, hire critical staff members about 18 months before opening the school, bring on administrators about 9 months before opening, and spend 4-5 months training faculty. Finally, start promoting the school and enrolling students! For tips on registering the school with an accredited agencies, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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10 Steps to Starting a Private School

Business growth.

The Beginners Guide to Starting a Private School

Starting a private school can be not only time-consuming, but a challenging process. When thinking about starting a private school there are many key steps you will want to adhere to in order to keep the process manageable and seamless.

Private schools have many layered elements that can make the task of creating one from scratch daunting. Some of these include high academic standards, teacher-student ratios, extracurriculars such as art, music, PE, computers, discipline protocol, safety concerns, community partnerships, and accreditation just to name a few. Additionally, a private school is a business so you also have to decide if your school will for-profit or non-profit.

The following steps will help guide you in starting a private school.

#1 Determine Your Niche and Grade Levels

This is a beginning step to start the process of starting a private school. Ask yourself the following questions to see what direction your private school will move.

• What types of students will your school serve? For example, gifted, special ed, montessori, whole child, etc.
• Will your school be religious or secular?
• Will your school be for-profit or non-profit?
• What grade levels will your school serve?
• How many students will you serve in each grade level?
• How many students will your grow to over time? Think 5 years from now.
• What kind of school is needed in your target market/area?

#2 Write School Statements

School statements are a very important part of the process as they help you define your vision to your staff, parents, community and students. It is imperative that you not only focus on a mission statement, but define what all of your school statements are. Remember, these statements are reviewed every school year and can be changed or modified as your school grows.

• What is your mission statement?
• What is your pedagogy?
• What is your vision?
• What is your philosophy?

#3 Select Board of Directors or Committee

Your committee or Board of Directors should be selected from different areas of business and not solely focused on education. Chose experts from different realms of business like accounting, legal, business, and education.

• Who do you know that would be interested in be a committee member?
• Will you have a formal board of directors or an informal advisory committee?
• How often will you meet?

#4 Create a Business Plan

A business plan is an essential key in creating any business, including a school. Remember that a school is still a business and a business plan is key in creating a successful business.

• Create a 5 year business plan, including operations such as financials, marketing, curriculum development, assessments.
• Who will you hire out to complete legal paperwork?
• What systems will you use to keep student data, report cards, discipline info, tuition, human resources, payroll, CRM, admissions, etc?

#5 Research your State’s Regulations for Private Schools

Every state has regulations for private schools. Research the educational requirements for your state and make sure to adhere to the regulations of your state.

• Check your state’s Department of Education for regulations for private school establishments.

#6 Determine Budget

Develop a budget that will include your income and expenses (commonly known as a P&L or Profit and Loss). This budget will only be a projection so err on the conservative side as unknown expenses tend to always pop up.

• Develop a 5 year budget (projection).
• If you will be a non-profit you can focus on contribution capital as part of the budget.
• Hire out an accountant to assist.
• Be sure to include the costs for systems like student management systems, payroll/human resource systems, CPA, CRM’s and more.

#7 Find a Location

Finding a location for a school can be a challenging task. Keep in mind that many states require certain permits to run a school at certain locations. These are typically called Conditional Use Permits (CUP). If you find a location make sure you are allowed to run a school at that site. Adding a CUP to a site location can be time consuming and expensive.

• Will you lease a building or space inside an existing space (like a church or school)?
• How large of a space will you need (how many classrooms)?
• Do you have funding to build a school location?
• Can you share space with another school?

#8 Hire Staff

Once you have your business plan, your site location, and budget you can then hire staff for the school year you are planning to open. Typically teachers are hired for a school year and expect a contract so be prepared. Alternatively some private schools hire teachers on an hourly basis, especially the first year, in an effort to keep the budget in tact.

• How many teachers will you need? Full or part-time?
• How many office staff will you need? Full or part-time?
• Will you outsource elective or extra curricular classes?
• Will you outsource things like human resources, payroll, admissions?

#9 Promote your School

This is an important step and can be tricky as timing is crucial. Schools typically run on traditional school year schedules (August-June), therefore your timing is important.

• When will your school open?
• Begin advertising your opening at least 6 months in advance (1 year is ideal).
• Most school begin taking applications in Feb/March for the following school year.
• Make sure your SIS or student system is ready to take applications.
• Make sure you have all of your student onboarding ready to go (parent handbooks, tuition agreements, payment processes, teacher handbooks, etc).

#10 Open Your School

Congratulations! It’s time to open your school! This is an exciting day! As the founder of private schools, this is one my most cherished days. Enjoy this day!

• Plan your opening, usually in the early fall.
• Open your office first so you can give tours.
• Plan a fun groundbreaking opening on the first day of school.
• Create a sense of community with a festive opening first day. Invite community members to join.

The Last Thing You Need to Know about Starting a Private School

Although we have just scratched the surface to start a private school, this initial roadmap is a great place to begin. There are so many other things to consider, but starting with these basics will keep you focused and contain the overwhelm that can develop when starting a private school.

Starting a private school is no small feat. If you need assistance with starting or expanding your private school, our services can guide you through the process. Learn more by visiting our website .

Interested in learning more? Check out our blog about the 5 Essential Elements of a New Private School.

We would love to hear from you? Have you started a private school? Do you have feedback we can share with our readers? Let us know.

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How to Start a Private Christian School: A Comprehensive Guide

Starting a private Christian school can be a challenging yet fulfilling journey. It requires a great deal of research, planning, and organization to create an institution that can provide quality education while upholding Christian values. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to start your own private Christian school.

First, we will discuss the benefits of starting a private Christian school. Second, we will provide information on the research and planning phase, including finding your niche and creating a business plan. Third, we will explore the importance of creating a vision and mission for your school, and how to develop a curriculum and classroom design.

If you are looking to start a private Christian school, then this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn more about the legal considerations, recruiting and retaining top-quality teachers and staff, and how to make your school stand out in the community.

The Benefits of Starting a Private Christian School

Starting a private Christian school is a significant undertaking, but the rewards can be immense. Not only can you provide your community with an excellent educational option, but you can also create a learning environment that is grounded in Christian principles and values. Here are five benefits of starting a private Christian school:

Faith-Based Education: Private Christian schools allow you to provide a faith-based education that focuses on spiritual growth, moral development, and character building. Students can learn about God’s love and grace while also receiving a high-quality academic education.

Community Engagement: Private Christian schools provide opportunities for community involvement and engagement. You can create a school that is focused on building relationships with parents, students, and local businesses, creating a sense of belonging and support.

Flexibility: Private Christian schools provide greater flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods. You can customize your curriculum to fit your students’ needs and interests while incorporating Christian values into every subject.

Stronger Sense of Purpose: Private Christian schools provide students with a stronger sense of purpose and meaning. Students can see how their faith and education are intertwined, giving them a greater understanding of their place in the world.

Excellent Academic Standards: Private Christian schools often have higher academic standards and expectations than public schools. By providing a rigorous academic curriculum and a nurturing environment, you can prepare students for college and beyond.

Building a Faith-Based Community

Establishing a Supportive Network: One of the main benefits of starting a private Christian school is the opportunity to create a supportive community of like-minded individuals. This community can provide emotional, spiritual, and financial support to help the school thrive.

Fostering Spiritual Growth: Private Christian schools are uniquely positioned to foster spiritual growth in their students. By incorporating prayer, Bible study, and worship into the curriculum, students can develop a deeper understanding and connection to their faith.

Encouraging Service and Outreach: Private Christian schools often emphasize the importance of serving others and reaching out to the community. This emphasis can help instill a sense of compassion and social responsibility in students.

By building a strong faith-based community within your school, you can create a supportive environment where students can grow both academically and spiritually. This community can also provide a strong foundation for the long-term success of your school.

Providing a Strong Academic Foundation

A private Christian school is not just about teaching faith, but also about providing a top-notch academic education. One of the primary benefits of a private school education is smaller class sizes, which allows for more personalized attention to students. In addition to individualized attention, private schools often have more rigorous academic standards and offer advanced courses in various subjects.

At a private Christian school, students can expect to learn in an environment that values critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. These skills are essential for success in college and beyond. Christian schools also emphasize moral and ethical values, which provide a foundation for character development and social responsibility.

Another benefit of a private Christian school education is the opportunity for students to engage in extracurricular activities that support academic growth, such as academic clubs, debate teams, and science fairs. These programs provide students with opportunities to explore their interests and passions while developing valuable skills.

Research and Planning: The First Steps

Starting a private Christian school requires careful planning and research. Before getting started, it’s important to determine the need for a school in your area and to assess your own capabilities and resources. You’ll need to develop a business plan, create a budget, and determine the legal structure of your school.

Conducting market research will help you identify potential competitors and determine the unique features that will set your school apart. You’ll also need to decide on a location and consider the availability of resources such as teachers, textbooks, and technology.

Creating a mission statement will help you define the purpose and goals of your school. It should reflect your Christian values and vision for the school, and guide your decisions as you move forward with the planning process.

Developing a curriculum is another crucial aspect of planning. You’ll need to research state and local requirements, determine what subjects to offer, and decide on the teaching methods and materials that will be used.

Assembling a team of experienced educators, administrators, and other professionals is essential for the success of your school. You’ll need to create job descriptions, conduct interviews, and establish a system for evaluating the performance of your staff.

Before starting a private Christian school, conducting a market analysis is crucial to determine the feasibility of the school. Market research will help you identify the existing demand for a Christian school in your area and the competition you will face. It will also assist in determining the potential student enrollment and tuition fees.

Several factors should be taken into account when conducting a market analysis, such as the local demographics, the level of education, and the religious beliefs of the population. Networking with local church leaders, pastors, and other community members can also provide valuable insight into the demand for a Christian school in your area.

Furthermore, analyzing the financial requirements to start and maintain a private Christian school is crucial. Budgeting is essential to ensure that the school can operate efficiently, pay its teachers and staff, and provide adequate resources and facilities to its students.

Developing a Business Plan

A business plan is a crucial tool for any entrepreneur starting a new venture, and it’s no different when it comes to starting a private Christian school. A well-crafted business plan can help you identify your goals and objectives, as well as the resources you’ll need to achieve them.

When developing your business plan, you’ll need to consider a number of factors, including your target market , your competition, and your financial projections. Your business plan should also outline your organizational structure and the roles and responsibilities of your staff.

Another important element of your business plan is your marketing strategy. You’ll need to consider how you’ll promote your school to potential students and their families, as well as how you’ll build partnerships with other organizations in your community.

Establishing a Budget

Determine the start-up costs: Creating a detailed list of initial expenses such as facility leasing, renovation, insurance, and supplies will help you determine how much you need to raise before opening.

Determine the ongoing costs: Ongoing costs will include salaries, benefits, utilities, and maintenance expenses. Be sure to consider any additional costs that may be incurred throughout the year, such as field trips, classroom materials, or additional staff training.

Develop a revenue plan: Revenue plans will be unique to each private Christian school. Some schools may rely solely on tuition and donations, while others may include fundraising events, grants, or partnerships with local businesses.

Create a budget spreadsheet: After identifying start-up and ongoing costs and developing a revenue plan, create a detailed budget spreadsheet that will help you manage and track your finances throughout the school year.

Consult with a financial advisor: Consider consulting with a financial advisor to ensure that your budget is realistic and sustainable. They can also help you identify potential areas for growth and improvement.

Creating a Vision and Mission for Your School

Defining your school’s vision is the first step in creating a successful private Christian school. Your vision should be a concise statement of your school’s purpose and values that will guide decision-making and strategic planning.

Your school’s mission statement should outline the specific actions you will take to achieve your vision. It should communicate the goals and objectives of your school, and how it will fulfill its purpose. Your mission statement should be clear, concise, and memorable.

Developing a set of core values is also an important aspect of creating a vision and mission for your school. These values will serve as guiding principles for your school’s culture and community, and help ensure that your school stays true to its mission and purpose.

Communicating your vision and mission to parents, students, and the community is crucial for the success of your school. You should have a clear and concise message that outlines your school’s values, purpose, and goals. This can be done through various marketing channels, including your school’s website, social media, and other promotional materials.

By creating a strong vision and mission for your school, you can establish a clear direction for your school’s future and ensure that you stay focused on your goals and values. It can also help you attract and retain students and staff who share your school’s vision and values.

Articulating Your School’s Values

Defining your school’s values is crucial for creating a strong and authentic identity. Your values should align with your school’s mission and vision and guide decision-making.

Three key values for a private Christian school may include a commitment to faith , excellence , and service . Faith-based values are central to the school’s identity and may include fostering a love of God, encouraging spiritual growth, and promoting Christian values. Excellence values may include a commitment to academic rigor, innovative teaching, and continuous improvement. Service values may focus on developing a heart for others and encouraging students to serve their communities.

It is essential to articulate your values in a clear and concise way that resonates with your community. You may consider creating a values statement or integrating your values into your school’s marketing materials and curriculum.

By clearly articulating your school’s values, you can create a shared sense of purpose and help guide decision-making in a way that aligns with your mission and vision.

Defining Your School’s Educational Philosophy

Philosophy: Your school’s philosophy should reflect the values and principles that guide your educational approach. Determine your philosophy by considering the needs and goals of your students, staff, and community.

Curriculum: Develop a curriculum that aligns with your school’s philosophy and goals. Ensure that it meets the requirements of the relevant educational authorities and provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Teaching Strategies: Select teaching strategies that support your educational philosophy and curriculum. Use a variety of approaches to accommodate diverse learning styles and foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Evaluation: Develop an evaluation system that aligns with your school’s philosophy and goals. Regularly assess student progress and use the results to adjust your curriculum and teaching strategies as needed.

Legal Considerations for Starting a Private Christian School

Registration: The first step to starting a private Christian school is to register the school with the appropriate government agency. Depending on the country or state, this may include obtaining a business license, tax ID number, and meeting specific education standards.

Legal Structure: Choose the legal structure for your school that best meets your needs. This may include setting up a non-profit corporation or limited liability company (LLC).

Employee Laws: There are specific laws regarding the hiring and management of employees. It’s essential to understand these laws to ensure that your school complies with labor standards, anti-discrimination laws, and other regulations.

Obtaining the Necessary Permits and Licenses

Starting a private Christian school requires obtaining several permits and licenses from different government agencies. Local zoning ordinances may require a specific location for the school, and the school must comply with fire and safety codes .

The school must also obtain the necessary state-level education permits and licenses . This may include obtaining a license to operate as an educational institution, as well as meeting state standards for curriculum and teacher qualifications.

Additionally, the school must comply with federal and state non-discrimination laws , such as Title IX, and obtain any necessary permits related to student transportation and food service. It is important to research and comply with all necessary legal requirements to avoid any legal complications in the future.

Understanding the Regulatory Landscape

Starting a private Christian school involves complying with various regulations and standards set by government bodies. Accreditation is one of the key areas to consider. Accreditation can provide a seal of approval and increase the school’s reputation. The school must also follow the Department of Education rules and guidelines, such as meeting curriculum requirements and hiring certified teachers. Additionally, the school must adhere to state and federal tax laws and maintain accurate financial records. Noncompliance with these regulations can lead to severe consequences such as penalties, fines, and even closure.

Complying with State and Federal Laws

Licensing requirements: Private schools are not required to be licensed by the federal government, but states have varying licensing requirements. It is important to check with your state’s department of education to ensure that your school complies with state laws and regulations.

Anti-discrimination laws: Private schools are allowed to have a religious affiliation, but they must still comply with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. This means that the school cannot discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, or disability.

Special education requirements: Private schools are not required to provide special education services, but they must comply with federal laws regarding the provision of these services. This includes the requirement to provide a free and appropriate public education to students with disabilities.

Curriculum Development and Classroom Design

Developing a curriculum that meets the needs of your students is essential. Determine your educational philosophy and define your learning objectives before selecting textbooks and other resources. Incorporating technology into the classroom can enhance student learning and engagement.

Classroom design is also important to consider. Providing a comfortable and stimulating learning environment can positively impact student motivation and learning outcomes. Consider factors such as lighting, seating arrangements, and classroom decorations when designing your learning space.

It’s also important to provide a variety of teaching strategies to engage students with different learning styles. This includes hands-on activities, group work, and independent study. A well-designed curriculum and learning environment can make all the difference in the success of your students.

Designing a Curriculum that Aligns with Your School’s Values

When designing a curriculum for your private Christian school, it’s important to ensure that it aligns with your school’s values . This means taking into account the principles and beliefs that are central to your school’s mission and vision.

One approach is to incorporate a biblical worldview into every subject area. This means integrating the Bible and biblical principles into all aspects of the curriculum, from science and history to math and English.

Another important consideration is providing opportunities for spiritual growth and development. This can include offering classes on biblical studies, theology, and Christian apologetics, as well as providing regular chapel services and opportunities for community service and outreach.

Creating a Classroom Environment that Fosters Learning

To create a classroom environment that fosters learning, it is essential to focus on several key factors. First and foremost, it is critical to establish a positive and welcoming atmosphere that encourages students to engage in active learning. This can be achieved by designing a classroom layout that is conducive to collaborative learning and provides opportunities for individualized attention. Second, it is essential to develop a curriculum that is relevant, challenging, and aligned with the school’s educational philosophy and values. Finally, it is vital to create a classroom culture that promotes student empowerment, cultivates creativity and critical thinking, and fosters a sense of community and mutual respect among students.

Recruiting and Retaining Top-Quality Teachers and Staff

Competitive Salaries: One of the most important factors in attracting and retaining top-quality teachers and staff is offering competitive salaries. It’s important to do market research to ensure that you are offering a salary that is in line with other schools in your area.

Professional Development: Offering opportunities for professional development can help attract and retain talented staff. This could include offering workshops, conferences, and ongoing training programs to help your staff grow professionally.

Positive Work Environment: Creating a positive work environment is essential for attracting and retaining top-quality teachers and staff. This includes providing opportunities for collaboration, recognizing and rewarding staff, and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.

Clear Communication: Clear communication is key to ensuring that teachers and staff feel supported and valued. This includes setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and offering opportunities for open communication and dialogue.

Attracting and Hiring Talented Educators

Define your ideal candidate: Determine the specific qualifications and characteristics you are looking for in a teacher, such as education level, experience, and personality traits.

Network with local universities: Reach out to nearby colleges and universities with education programs to connect with potential candidates. Attend career fairs and post job openings on their websites.

Offer competitive compensation: Compensation is a key factor in attracting and retaining quality teachers. Research the salaries offered by other schools in your area and offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the first steps to starting a private christian school.

The initial steps to starting a private Christian school may vary depending on your location and the specific requirements of your state or country. However, some common first steps include conducting research on the demand for such a school in your area, developing a business plan, and seeking legal and financial advice.

What qualifications do I need to start a private Christian school?

The qualifications needed to start a private Christian school can also vary depending on your location. However, some common qualifications may include having a degree in education, experience in teaching or school administration, and a strong understanding of the principles and values of Christianity.

What are the legal requirements for starting a private Christian school?

The legal requirements for starting a private Christian school can also vary depending on your location. Some common legal requirements may include obtaining necessary permits and licenses, complying with state and federal laws, and ensuring that the school meets all safety and health regulations.

How do I develop a curriculum for my private Christian school?

Developing a curriculum for a private Christian school involves integrating Christian principles and values into the various subjects and activities offered. It may also involve working with educators and experts to ensure that the curriculum aligns with national and state standards and meets the needs and goals of the students.

How can I attract and retain top-quality teachers and staff for my private Christian school?

Attracting and retaining top-quality teachers and staff for a private Christian school involves offering competitive salaries and benefits, providing opportunities for professional development, creating a positive and supportive work environment, and fostering a strong sense of community and mission among the staff.

How can I ensure the success of my private Christian school?

Ensuring the success of a private Christian school involves setting clear goals and objectives, developing a strong and effective leadership team, establishing strong partnerships with parents and the local community, and continually evaluating and improving the school’s programs and operations.

Privacy Overview

How to Start a Private School PDF; Private School Business Plan Sample

How to Start a School Business - Private School Business Plan Sample PDF

Are you considering starting a School and are in need of a private school business plan? if yes, you'll find this free book to be extremely helpful.

This is a practical guide that will walk you step by step through all the essentials of starting your business. The book is packed with guides, worksheets and checklists. These strategies are absolutely crucial to your business' success yet are simple and easy to apply.

Don’t Start a New School Business Unless You Watch This Video First!

Checklist for Starting a Business: Essential Ingredients for Success

If you are thinking about going into business, it is imperative that you watch this video first! it will take you by the hand and walk you through each and every phase of starting a business. It features all the essential aspects you must consider BEFORE you start a business. This will allow you to predict problems before they happen and keep you from losing your shirt on dog business ideas. Ignore it at your own peril!

Here’s a Valuable Free Gift for You This is a high quality, full blown business plan template complete with detailed instructions and all related spreadsheets. You can download it to your PC and easily prepare a professional business plan for your business. Click Here! To get your free business plan template

The Single Most Important Ingredient for Business Success

The first and most important thing you need to acquire in order to succeed in a small business is... knowledge.

Sounds exaggerated? Listen to this...

According to research conducted by Dun & Bradstreet, 90% of all small business failures can be traced to poor management resulting from lack of knowledge.

This is backed up by my own personal observations. In my 31 years as a business coach and consultant to small businesses, I've seen practically dozens of small business owners go under and lose their businesses -- not because they weren't talented or smart enough -- but because they were trying to re-invent the wheel rather than rely on proven, tested methods that work.

Conclusion: if you are really serious about succeeding in a business... If you want to avoid the common traps and mistakes... it is absolutely imperative that you acquire the right knowledge.

"Why Invent Mediocrity, When You Can Copy Genius?"

That's an excellent quote I picked up from a fellow business owner a few years back. What this means is that you should see what is working and try to duplicate Printing Business. Why go through all the trouble of inventing something new, that you don't even know will ever work, when you can easily learn from and duplicate something that has been a proven success?

[ Note: One of the BIGGEST mistakes almost all new businesses make is that they WASTE tons of valuable time, energy and money on trying to create something "new", that has never been tested or proven... only to find out later that it was a total loss. Don't make the same mistake! ]

Hi! My name is Meir. I'm the founder and president of BizMove.com, a successful internet based information business. I'm also the author of numerous books, mostly in the area of small business management.

I've been involved in small business for the past 31 years of my life, as a business coach, manager of a consulting firm, a seminar leader and as the owner of five successful businesses.

During my career as a business coach and consultant I've helped dozens of business owners start their businesses, market, expand, get out of troubles, sell their businesses and do practically every other small business activity you can think of. You see, I have been there .... done it ... and bought the Small Business t-shirt! -- This free book contains techniques and strategies I've learned during my 31 year small business career.

Here's what you'll discover in the 'How to Start a Printing Business' book:

Success Tip: Setting Goals

Good management is the key to success and good management starts with setting goals. Set goals for yourself for the accomplishment of the many tasks necessary in starting and managing your business successfully. Be specific. Write down the goals in measurable terms of performance. Break major goals down into sub-goals, showing what you expect to achieve in the next two to three months, the next six months, the next year, and the next five years. Beside each goal and sub-goal place a specific date showing when it is to be achieved.

Plan the action you must take to attain the goals. While the effort required to reach each sub-goal should be great enough to challenge you, it should not be so great or unreasonable as to discourage you. Do not plan to reach too many goals all at one time.

Establish priorities. Plan in advance how to measure results so you can know exactly how well you are doing. This is what is meant by "measurable" goals. If you can’t keep score as you go along you are likely to lose motivation. Re-work your plan of action to allow for obstacles which may stand in your way. Try to foresee obstacles and plan ways to avert or minimize them.

Click here! to download your school business plan PDF book for free

Management Skills Video: How to Become a Great Manager and Leader

Learn how to improve your leadership skills and become a better manager and leader. Here's how to be the boss people want to give 200 percent for. In the following video you'll discover 120 powerful tips and strategies to motivate and inspire your people to bring out the best in them.

For more insightful videos visit our Small Business and Management Skills YouTube Chanel .

Here're other free books in the "how to start a business" series that may interest you:

Here's a Sample 'Executive Summary' for a School Business plan :

COMPANY NAME will provide private school services in quantitative courses, starting the first school in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Focused primarily on students in grades K-6, classes are available in courses including: history, science, geography and mathematics in addition to multiple languages, religions and philosophy COMPANY NAME will focus primarily on Eastern Indian, Asian and European based language and philosophy to start.  This method will be focused on to ensure that students can study their native language and learn native customs from where they or their families come from.  Teaching sessions focus on helping students grasp the concepts they will need to know to perform well in their class, as well as developing study strategies to effectively prepare for exams in their class. A long-term focus of empowering students is favored over a short-term problem-solving strategy. High tuition, schools claim, is used to pay higher salaries for the best teachers and also used to provide enriched learning environments, including a low student to teacher ratio, small class sizes and services, such as libraries , science laboratories and computers . Service Summary The intention is to create a student who is an international citizen who is academically capable, gain successful admission to Ivy League schools and to the best international universities; however while at the same time developing a confidence gained from knowing their family heritage, roots, history, culture, religion and languages. Each student will be having a sense of pride in being an American and also in being of Indian origin harmoniously.  COMPANY NAME projects that 50% of students will be Asian Indian decent and 50% of students will be Americans seeking to get the best education available in the United States. COMPANY NAME is planning to become an International Baccalaureate World School.  By receiving this support from a worldwide education organization, the school will be on the roster of offering courses transferable and also recognized around the world. Market Analysis Summary While there are cultural and language classes that children of Indian origin can attend outside of the regular school curriculum, there is no comprehensive school, which offers an excellent education along with meeting their cultural needs anywhere in the USA. Vision COMPANY NAME vision is to provide world-class education for its students at playschool, kindergarten, primary school levels. The aim of this educational institute is the quest for truth; blending the methods of learning of the East and West COMPANY NAME seeks to help bring to the United States the highest education possible to help children be able to compete with the world, as the American education standards and results continue to decline.

• American students rank 25th in math and 21st in science compared to students in 30 industrialized countries.
• America’s top math students rank 25th out of 30 countries when compared with top students elsewhere in the world.
• By the end of 8th grade, U.S. students are two years behind in the math being studied by peers in other countries.
• Sixty eight percent of 8th graders can’t read at their grade level, and most will never catch up.

Resource: http://www.bls.gov It will be a school for a diverse student body with a global faculty and an international curriculum. The Foundation believes its particular location in the USA will give the community of learners an incredible opportunity to examine change, explore the interconnectedness of issues and develop a global perspective. COMPANY NAME will offer an educational experience that is truly international and still Indian at heart.   The Foundation will invite the Council of International Schools (CIS) and other prominent educationists to be its' consultants. Together with experienced consultants' input, COMPANY NAME shall attract an inspiring faculty and student body.

1.1 Objectives

• Generate five informal contracts/referrals with school professors from accredited private schools located in India.
• Increase revenue steadily from 2011 to 2012.
• Offer a premiere and unique educational hub where children can learn several languages, receive higher education and expand life's horizons from an early age.

COMPANY NAME's vision is to provide world-class education for students at playschool, kindergarten, primary school levels. The aim of this educational institute is the quest for truth, blending the methods of learning of the East and West. It will be a school for a diverse student body, with a global faculty and an international curriculum COMPANY NAME believe that their particular location in the USA will give the community of learners an incredible opportunity to examine change, explore the interconnectedness of issues and develop a global perspective.

1.2 Mission

COMPANY NAME exists to help students. The Company takes a unique and innovative approach to teaching that helps students connect with the subject matter they need to master in a vast variety of subjects, religions and arts. Through personalized and focused teaching processes, the students develop the tools they need for ongoing success in their fields of study, which include international languages as well. Success depends on direct attention to the needs of the Company's clients and truly helping them achieve- COMPANY NAME won't succeed unless their clients succeed.

COMPANY NAME is a sole proprietorship. The company will be owned and operated by COMPANY NAME which is 100% owned by OWNER’S NAME, a C Corporation.  The foundation will be co-owned by CO-OWNER’S NAME and another general partner.

2.2 Start-up Summary

The company founders will hire an education consulting and management firm to handle day-to-day operations of the business and will work collaboratively to ensure that this business venture is a success.  COMPANY NAME will be seeking to attain start-up funds from a combination of investment capital and grant funding sources.  Surplus revenue from fundraising is detailed in the Sales Forecast table later in this plan. The following table and chart show the start-up costs for COMPANY NAME.

Table: Start-up

3.0 Services

The school will offer a unique and philosophical approach to education to provide for intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of every student. The school aims to provide an environment conducive to students to discover and nurture the best in their own nature. The school will accept and care for students from all the major faiths, as well as for those with no particular religious affiliation.  The intention is to create a student who is an international citizen who is academically capable, gain successful admission to Ivy League schools and to the best international universities; however while at the same time developing a confidence gained from knowing their family heritage, roots, history, culture, religion and languages. Each student will be having a sense of pride in being an American and also in being of Indian origin harmoniously. COMPANY NAME will also be providing extensive extra-curricular activities for students such as providing dance, art, culture and language courses so that students can attain and utilize the tools and education all in one place.  This will be especially appealing to parents as this will improve not only the child’s education but by having all available in one location, it will also improve quality of life for families. COMPANY NAME has future plans for utilizing the 30 acre plot of land and real estate that The Company is trying to acquire by installing a soccer field, a baseball field and a teacher/student vegetable and herb garden for education purposes.  In addition, the auditorium and smaller classroom will be rented out to increase the schools revenue. Becoming A Better Leader At The Workplace Leadership can be difficult to quantify, despite the fact that most people desperately wish to understand what it takes to be a strong leader. To really get a handle on the concept, it pays to spend some time researching and studying. The guidance below is intended to help any burgeoning leader do precisely that. When working to improve in the area of leadership, it is vital that you develop competency. People need to trust that you know what you are doing in order to feel confident in your leadership ability. Instill confidence in those who follow you by finding a mentor to help you become truly proficient in what you do. If you are rolling out a new business process, train your employees effectively. That new business process might look all shiny on paper, but if your subordinates receive insufficient, or worse, no training, it will inevitably cost you money down the road. There are ways to make training relatively painless, so do your research. Don't make the mistake of ordering people around. That is not true leadership. The key to true leadership is to inspire those around you. You need to help them find their own voices, so that they can go on to lead others. The entire journey they take with you is about their ability to know themselves better. If you have an employee that goes above and beyond the call of duty, do not hesitate to give them extra praise and rewards. Even though it may seem like you are playing favorites, you are giving them what they deserve. be open with other employees about it so they are aware of what rewards come with hard work. Know your competition just as well as you know your own company. Business isn't just about what's happening between the walls in your space. You need to make decisions based off competitive movement. If you can't make decisions because you don't know the competition, then expect your employees to see it as a weakness in leadership. Conquer your fear. Fear can be a terrible thing for you to experience, especially if you're a leader. Instead, start paying attention to what the fear is telling you. Learn to process it in a way that is healthy and in a way that urges you to move beyond the fear to something more. Be open to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of doing things. Many companies want to constantly repeat something that has proven successful for them. There is little wrong with that, but inadvertent leaders try putting too much effort into one thing that worked. Thoughtful leadership should acknowledges success, while also recognizing that there are ways to improve. Do not push people on your team too hard since this can result in doing the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish. Instead of giving them motivation to do more work, it may make them feel demoralized. In turn, they will lose a lot of respect for you. Do not be afraid to jump in and help. This is much easier if you work on site with your team, but is possible from afar if you are creative. If any person from your team needs help, jump in and give them a hand. You may learn a lot from the experience. One of the best leadership skills to develop is listening to people who work under you. By listening to your employees, you can learn new ways to reach goals. When you see that they have processed your ideas, keep an open mind for their input to maximize your potential for success. You might feel like starting each day or shift with a motivational speech, but this can get old for your crew quickly. As a matter of fact, such tactics are overrated. The biggest impact you make in terms of personnel is who you hire, who gets fired, and who gets assigned to the big projects. Learn how to laugh. Yes, you've got a serious job with a lot of responsibilities, but leadership isn't born out of tension and stress. Sometimes you need to learn how to lighten the mood. Not just for yourself, but for your employees too. If you've hit some rough patches, it's your responsibility as a leader to help your team get out of it. Don't hesitate to recognize people for their accomplishments. It is easy to forget to thank people for what they do, especially in a work environment where everything is moving quickly. Make sure you look for reasons to thank people for their good work, instead of simply chiding them when they make mistakes. This will encourage loyalty, and you will find you have an easier time leading when those you lead are loyal. Be an honest and ethical role model for your employees. Honesty with your employees is the best way to build trust. Make sure your employees understand the ethical expectations you have for them. More than that, always behave in an ethical way yourself. If your employees observe you behaving dishonestly, they will do so as well. Be a good example for your team. Just like the parents of a family, you are who your team looks up to in your organization. Do not talk negatively about the company you work for or your bosses to your team. It sets a horrible example and may come back to haunt you. A good leader turns a mistake into a learning experience. Talking about what didn't go right and being open with the entire team about this incident can help everyone from making that same mistake later. Most people wish to be effective leaders of others, but very few actually succeed in doing so. One of the most effective methods of acquiring true leadership acumen is to learn as much as possible about those who have gone before and the attributes they had in common. The article above can serve as an ongoing resource for anyone wishing to undertake just that sort of study.

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Private School Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Education Sector » Schooling

Are you about starting a private school (nursery, primary or high school)? If YES, here’s a complete sample private school business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE.

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a private school. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample private school marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for private schools. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

One of the best things that can happen to anyone is to have a private school. This is one very lucrative business that will continue to rake in money for its owners. As an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business, you should ensure that whatever business you intend to start, you make sure that it is located in an appropriate place.

For example; if you want to start a private school, it will be a wrong business judgment if you decide to site the school close to an industrial area or close to a market. Aspiring entrepreneurs therefore are urged as a matter of necessity to ensure that they carry out a thorough market research and feasibility study of the industry they intend to go into before investing their hard earned money and time.

It is known fact that the demand for private schools is driven by the fact that most public cum government owned schools cannot accommodate every students or potential students in a given geographical location. In some cases, students with special needs cannot cope in public schools hence the need for private schools.

If you think starting a private school business sounds like what you want to do. Then you may want to use the business plan below as a guide.

A Sample Private School Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Private schools which is also known in the united states as independent schools, non-governmental, or non – state schools are schools that are not administered by either the local, state or the federal governments; hence, they have the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition fees, rather than relying on mandatory taxation through public (government) funding.

Some private schools have structure in place that offer scholarships to some students, which makes the cost cheaper, depending on a talent such as sport scholarship, art scholarship, academic scholarship the student may be brining to the private school, financial need, or tax credit scholarships that might be available.

The Private Schools industry comprises of primary that is kindergarten through sixth grade and secondary that is seventh through 12th grade) educational institutions that are predominantly funded through enrollment and tuition fees from students and of course from other private sources.

Recent reports released by IBISWORLD shows that the revenue for the Private Schools industry is expected to increase, as the economy continues to recover. The indicated that during the five years to 2016, enrollment decreased, which was a trend attributable to rising costs and competition from charter schools.

However, going forward, in the next five years, household income is anticipated to increase, making it easier for families to afford private-school tuition. Additionally, enrollment declines will lesson, resulting in more stable demand for private schools

In the United States of America and of course in most countries of the world, The Private Schools industry is indeed a large and thriving industry. Statistics has it that The Private Schools industry in the United States of America, is worth $52 billion, with an estimated growth rate of 0.1 percent.

There are about 25,742 registered and licensed (accredited) Private schools scattered all around the United States of America and they are responsible for employing about 644,320 people.

Aside from Catholic schools, which is the second largest sector after government schools, with around 21 percent of secondary enrollments, no other private school can boast of dominating the market; every player in the industry can comfortably compete in the industry.

It is important to state that the barriers to entry into the Private Schools industry are high. As a matter of fact, the private school industry is an industry in which it is pretty difficult for new entrants to establish themselves. So also, the reputation of the private school is of utmost importance, as private schools that have a good history of getting students into prestigious colleges often have the best reputations hence good enrollments.

With this, it is obvious that a new entrant into the private school industry cannot offer this. Reputation indeed is imperative to parents’ decisions when shopping for private school for their wards. This is so because the quality of education cannot be assessed until well after it is complete.

As a major marketing tool, schools need to show parents a track record of admission to elite colleges and universities. Even though this might seem like a saturated industry, the industry is still pretty much open for aspiring school proprietors and proprietress to still come in and compete.

As a matter of fact, if you conduct your research and feasibility studies very well before starting your own private school couple with impressive profile of your faculty members, you are likely going to struggle less to make headway in the industry.

2. Executive Summary

Rolland Gyros International Private School is an international private school that will be located in a well – populated residential estate in Ashville – North Carolina, United States of America.

We are a standard private school that is composed of primary (kindergarten through sixth grade) and secondary (seventh through 12th grade) educational institution that will be predominantly funded through tuition fees and levies from students and of course from other private sources.

Rolland Gyros International Private School is a client-focused and result driven private school that provides broad-based learning approaches and experience at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pockets of our clients (students and parents alike).

We will offer standard and professional teaching services in a highly secured and conducive learning environment to all our students that is primary (kindergarten through sixth grade) and secondary (seventh through 12th grade). We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass all our students’ expectations and educational goals whenever they enroll in our tutorial college.

At Rolland Gyros International Private School, our students’ overall best interest would always come first, and everything we do is guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hire professional educationist cum teachers in various subjects who are well experienced and passionate in imparting knowledge to students at various learning ladder.

Rolland Gyros International Private School will at all time demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as an educational organization, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our students’ needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our students.

We have plans to offer learning platforms to people with both learning disability and physical disability (especially the blind, the dumb and the deaf).

Our overall business goal is to position our private school to become the leading tutorial brand in the educational industry in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina, and also to be amongst the top 30 private schools in the United States of America within the first 12 years of operations.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Ashville is the right place to launch our private school.

Rolland Gyros International Private School is founded by Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Rolland Gyros and family. She is an educationist per excellence and she has won many awards in the education sector in the United States.

Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Rolland Gyros has both the academic qualifications and experience to run a private school that can favorably compete with other leading private schools not only in Ashville – North Carolina, but also throughout the United States and Canada.

3. Our Products and Services

Rolland Gyros International Private School is going to offer varieties of educational services within the scope of the education board in the United States of America.

Our intention of starting our private school is to soundly educate people in various subjects and of course to make profits from the education cum private schools industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and business goal. Our service offerings are listed below;

• Teaching basic literacy and numeracy
• Establishing foundations in science, mathematics, geography, history and other social sciences
• Constantly working hard to meet regulatory accreditation standards
• Administering private funding efforts
• Providing access to extracurricular activities
• Retailing of Educational Books and Materials

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build a highly competitive private school that will become the number one choice for both parents and students in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina.
• Our vision reflects our values: integrity, service, excellence and teamwork.
• Our mission is to provide professional and conducive learning environment to students at different level of learning.
• Our overall business goal is to position Rolland Gyros International Private School to become the leading private school brand in the educational cum private school industry in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina, and also to be amongst the top 30 private schools in the United States of America within the first 12 years of operations.

Our Business Structure

It is a known fact that, the success of any business is to a larger extent dependent on the business structure of the organization and the people who occupy the available roles in the organization. Rolland Gyros International Private School will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our private school.

We will ensure that we hire competent hands (teaching and non – teaching staff members) to help us build the private school of our dream.

The fact that we want to become one of the leading private school brand in the industry in the whole of the United States of America makes it highly necessary for our organization to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.

We will work hard to ensure that we only attract people with the right mindset to help us achieve our business goals and objectives in record time. Below is the business structure that we will build Rolland Gyros International Private School;

• Head of The Private School(School Proprietress)

School Administrator

Tutors for Various Subjects – Secondary (seventh through 12th grade)

Tutors for Various Subjects – Primary (kindergarten through sixth grade)

• Accountant / Bursar
• Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer

Security Officers

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Head of the Tutorial College / School Coordinator:

• Responsible for providing direction for the college
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for handling high profile clients and deals
• Responsible for fixing fees and signing business deals (partnership)
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the tutorial college
• Coordinates all arms of the tutorial school (tutorial center, adult education, home tutors and special education)
• Evaluates the success of the tutorial college
• Reports to the board of the tutorial college
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the tutorial school
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for tutors (teachers)
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders (parents and member of the school board) to review the effectiveness of the schools’ Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily activities of the private school.
• Effectively teach subject / subjects as assigned by the school administrator
• Accesses the progress of students under their care
• Ensures that students abide by the rules and regulations of the private school
• Contributes his / her quota towards growing the private school
• Receives complaints from parents and channel it to the appropriate quarters
• Handle any other duty as assigned by the school administrator.
• Ensure that students abide by the rules and regulations of the school administrator
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the school administrator.

Marketing Executive

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new students, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the school

School Bursar (Accountant)

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Serves as internal auditor for Rolland Gyros International Private School

Client Service Executive

• Welcomes / receive parents and students by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with parents and students (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the parents and students with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with parents and students on the phone, uses every opportunity to build parent’s interest in the schools’ products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the HR and Admin Manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to parents and students when they make enquiries
• Receives parcels / documents for Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Distribute mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned by the School Administrator.
• Responsible for cleaning the school facility at all times
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Cleans both the interior and exterior of the schools facility
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the school administrator
• Ensures that the school facility is secured at all time
• Controls traffic and organize parking
• Gives security tips to staff members from time to time
• Patrols around the building on a 24 hours basis
• Submits security reports weekly
• Any other duty as assigned by the school administrator

6. SWOT Analysis

Rolland Gyros International Private School engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring with bias in the education sector to assist us in building a well – structured private school that can favorably compete in the highly competitive education cum private schools industry in the United States.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Rolland Gyros International Private School. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Rolland Gyros International Private School;

As a private school, our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team with excellent qualifications and experience in the educational sector. We are well positioned in a community with the right demography and we know we will attract loads of students from the first day we open our doors and welcome students for enrollment.

As a new private school in Ashville – North Carolina, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance via reputation in the already saturated education cum private schools industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the education cum private schools industry is massive considering the number of parents who would want their wards to perform excellently well in their education and go ahead to be admitted in Ivy league colleges.

As a standard and international private school, Rolland Gyros International Private School is ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes her way.

Every business faces a threat or challenge at any part of the life cycle of the business. These threats can be external or internal. This shows the importance of a business plan, because most threats or challenges are to be anticipated and plans put in place to cushion what effect they might bring to the private school.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as a private school operating in the United States of America are unfavorable government policies that might affect private schools, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects spending / purchasing power.

There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The trend in the private school line of business is that the key to attracting students is the educational performance and the pass rate of their students in national exams.

Any private school that has good records will always thrive. The demand for private schools is driven by the fact that most public cum government owned schools cannot accommodate every students or potential students in a given geographical location.

In some cases, students with special needs cannot cope in public schools hence the need for private schools. The economic downturn hasn’t really affected this industry, especially in countries that believe in the efficacy of education.

The areas you would need to spend heavily on is in ensuring that your school is up to standard, your advertisements, and on insurance policy cover. Lastly, it is trendier to find private schools engaging in extra – curricular activities and as a matter of fact, a private school that thrives in sports can leverage on that to attract students who are sports inclined.

8. Our Target Market

As a standard and international private school, Rolland Gyros International Private School is going to offer varieties of educational services within the scope of the education board in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our private school is to soundly educate people in various subjects and of course to make profits from the education cum private schools industry

Our target market as a private school cuts across people (students) of different class and people from different culture background whether African, White, Caucasian, Latinos, Indians, and Asians. We are coming into the education cum private schools industry with a business concept that will enable us work with the students at different learning stages residing in and around Ashville – North Carolina.

Our competitive advantage

Indeed the private schools industry is highly competitive and the entry barriers are high. As a matter of fact, the private school industry is an industry in which it is pretty difficult for new entrants to establish themselves. So also, the reputation of the private school is of utmost importance, as private schools that have a good history of getting students into prestigious colleges often have the best reputations hence good enrollments.

As a major marketing tool, schools need to show parents a track record of admission to elite colleges and universities. We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the education cum private schools industry means that you should be able to deliver consistent quality service, your students should be able to experience remarkable difference and improvement and you should be able to meet the expectations of both students and parents alike.

Rolland Gyros International Private School might be a new entrant into the education cum private schools industry in the United States of America, but the management staffs and owners of the private school are considered gurus. They are people who are core professionals, licensed and highly qualified educationist / teachers at various levels of learning in the United States. These are part of what will count as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees (teaching and non – teaching staff members) will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups private school in the United States) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Rolland Gyros International Private School is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the education cum private schools industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract students on a regular basis. Rolland Gyros International Private School will generate income by offering the following tutorial services;

• Teaching High school students various subjects in our private school

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be parents and students who would need the services of private schools to be able to achieve their educational goals and as such the services of private schools will always be needed.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Ashville – North Carolina and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the private school and our student base.

We have been able to critically examine the private schools cum education market in the United States of America and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast.

The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in Ashville – North Carolina. Below is the sales projection for Rolland Gyros International Private School, it is based on the location of our tutorial center and of course the wide range of tutorial services that we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year-: $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $450,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and natural disasters within the period stated above. So, there won’t be any major competitor (private school) offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiffer competition amongst private schools in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best marketing experts to handle our sales and marketing concerns. Our sales and marketing team will be recruited base on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the private school.

We will also ensure that our students’ excellent results from national exams and other exams speaks for us in the marketplace; we want to build a standard and first – class private school that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients (both individuals and corporate organizations).

Our goal is to grow our private school to become one of the top 30 private schools in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in Ashville – North Carolina but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Rolland Gyros International Private School is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our private school by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to schools, parents / household and key stake holders in Ashville – North Carolina.
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in schools, libraries and even student organizations.
• Creating a website, allows parents to be able to look you up, and also allows you to post general study tips, giving you an added advantage.
• Use friends and family to spread word about our private school
• Introduce Rolland Gyros International Private School to learning specialists, school coaches, school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors especially as they are with students everyday
• Post information about Rolland Gyros International Private School on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops.
• Placing a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Using tutorial referral networks such as agencies that will help match students with Rolland Gyros International Private School
• Joining relevant association or body that will enable you network and meet others in same industry.
• Advertising online by using an advertising platform such as Google Adwords, that will allow us place text advertisements alongside on websites with related contents, and along results from search engines.
• Advertise our private school in relevant educational magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• Attend relevant educational expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We are aware of the potency of a good publicity strategy hence we have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to become the number one choice for both parents and students in the whole of Ashville – North Carolina which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our private school. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Rolland Gyros International Private School;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Ashville – North Carolina.
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods in and around Ashville – North Carolina
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around Ashville – North Carolina
• Passing general information via our school’s social media handles like twitter, Facebook, Google hangouts etc.
• Ensure that all our teaching and non – teaching staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our schools’ logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Private schools in the United States of America and of course in all the parts of the world charge students per tem / per session and students have the options of either paying their tuitions before resumption or during the school session.

Private schools generally charge students based on loads of factors, locations, services offerings and extra – curricular activities et al At Rolland Gyros International Private School we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our students by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance.

In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to all our students at regular intervals. We are aware that there are some students that would need special assistance, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such students’ needs.

• Payment Options

At Rolland Gyros International Private School, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up a private school business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake.

If you intend to go big by acquiring a large facility, then you would need a higher amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are taken care of, and that your private school’s environment is conducive enough for the students to learn.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The materials and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a private school business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. However, this is what it would cost us to start Rolland Gyros International Private School in the United of America;

• Business incorporation fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring a large facility that will accommodate the number of block of closes, playing field, staff offices and parking lots et al (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) will cost – $350,000.
• Equipping the classes and office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, pens and pencils, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $50,000
• Launching an official Website will cost – $500
• The budget for the payment of salaries for the first three months of operations: $120,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $15,000

Going by the market survey and feasibility studies conducted, we came to the conclusion that we will need an average of $750,000 to start a small scale but standard private school in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Rolland Gyros International Private School

Rolland Gyros International Private School is a family business that will be owned and managed by Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Rolland Gyros and her immediate family.

They are the sole financial of the private school which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the private school to just three major sources. These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $250,000 (Personal savings $200,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $500,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is a known fact that the future of any business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and of course the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Rolland Gyros International Private School is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers (students and parents alike) over is to ensure that we offer nothing less than the best, to offer quality education to all our students so much so that they can favorably compete with students all over the United States and gain admission to Ivy League colleges.

Rolland Gyros International Private School will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more as determined by the board of the organization. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

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Investor boost for Moscow Metro brings new line and less gridlock

For the first time Moscow Metro management is looking to attract private investors to build a new subway line in the east of the city. Several Russian and foreign companies are already lining up to take part in a project.

The Chief Executive of the Moscow Metro Igor Besedin says negotiations are underway with a Spanish investor.  The companies are interested in developing both underground and above ground with retail and other services offered to passengers. The first private line with 9 stations stretching 19 km would be the longest subway line built in recent years.  Its cost could be about $3.2 billion, according to the Russian consulting firm FBK. The new line leading from Aviamotornaya station to Lyubertsy fields should be completed by 2015.  Moscow has a serious traffic problem, and authorities think a new subway line will help reduce the gridlock. Currently the city has 300km of underground railway split across 12 lines with 182 stations. About 7 million people use the Moscow Metro every day. Moscow Metro system has no privately owned lines yet, but the Mykinino station in the west of Moscow was built by a private investor. Private subway lines are common in big cities all over the world. Private lines operate in Tokyo and in London.

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