Legal entity for the school
Some microschools are organized under a church organization. Others can be organized as their own entity, either nonprofit or for-profit. In either of these cases, it’s simpler in most states to organize as an LLC, filed with the Secretary of State.
If you plan on renting space from a church to operate your microschool, be aware that many churches will not rent to for-profit organizations.
Establish school hours and calendar
Earliest drop-off time, start time, end time, pick-up window, first day, holidays, last day. Matching your local public school district can be a good approach since it’s easier for families with different children in different schools, but we also encourage extended days and more balanced year-round academic calendars. Getting input from families is a good idea here.
Technology
We strongly recommend Chromebook laptops, which are inexpensive and easy to manage. You may also consider allowing students to bring laptops from home, but realize that you will not be able to filter/block their web surfing as easily as with Chromebooks using tools like Securly.
Also consider whether you’d like live security cameras in the school. You’ll need to make considerations for privacy, but it’s also a good security provision, and can be a great learning tool for the community to learn about your school.
Banking, Accounting, Billing, Payroll
Be sure to get a business checking account with debit card, online bill pay, and ideally online invoicing and/or payroll capabilities, including automatic IRS withholding calculations, payments, and filings. A bank with strong online tools can eliminate the need for separate accounting software like Quickbooks Online, Bill.com, or TADS.
Application process
You’ll want to gather a certain amount of information from your applicants right from the very beginning, including contact and personal information, information relevant to your particular coaching model, and a record of immunizations.
Microschool Management Software and platform
There are many softwares out there that can support you in running billing, student information, parent communication and many other important administrative and operational task that come with running a microschool. Our friends at KaiPod developed one software, that helps you do it all. After years of piecing together multople softwares and many administrational headaches, they set out to develop one platform that can support all the most important things when running a microschool. Newton by KaiPod Learning is their Microschool Management Software that allows founders to capture enrollments, build their student information system, manage tuition payments, allow two-way communications with parents, facilitate task planning for students, take attendance, and more.
Website
Microschool Revolution will provide this for you with our standard template, but you’re always welcome to create your own.
Insurance
Check with your landlord for requirements. Look for insurance brokers that specialize in private schools.
Furniture
Don’t need to go overboard here–kids are pretty flexible adapting to whatever is available.
Supplies
Printer, ink, paper, office and cleaning supplies, first aid, sports equipment, library books.
Standardized Testing
Test choice, scheduling