How to Start a School: A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators and Community Leaders

Wildflower Schools
2 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago

If you’re an educator dreaming of starting your own school — one rooted in community, equity, and a clear vision — you’re not alone. More teachers across the country are choosing to design learning environments that reflect their values, meet community needs, and provide innovative, child-centered education.

This brief guide walks through the major stages of starting a school—from defining your vision to opening your doors. While Wildflower supports both independent and public charter schools, the insights here draw primarily from our experience with small, independent, nonprofit Montessori schools. Still, many of the ideas shared apply broadly to anyone interested in starting a school rooted in community connection and meaningful learning.

1. Start with Your “Why”

Your personal story is your foundation. It fuels your vision, communicates your purpose, and builds trust with families, funders, and partners. Begin by clarifying:

Why do you want to start a school?
Who will it serve?
What kind of impact do you hope to make?

2. Engage Your Community

Great schools are built with, not just for, the communities they serve.

Talk with families, local leaders, and organizations
Attend neighborhood meetings and events
Listen for needs, values, and aspiration
Consider accessibility: How do families get around? What barriers—like limited public transit or lack of child care—might impact enrollment or engagement?

For early childhood, check out ChildCareDeserts.org to identify gaps in childcare access in your area.

3. Understand Your School Budget’s Five Big Levers

Regardless of your school model — public charter or independent — your school budget will largely be shaped by five key areas:

Enrollment
Revenue per student
Staffing plan
Compensation and benefits
Facilities

4. Identify Your Sources of Capital

Starting a school requires early investments. Explore a mix of funding options.

Loans: Mission-driven lenders may support your work. For example, Wildflower’s Sunlight Loan Fund offers affordable loans to affiliated schools in underserved communities.
Grants: Research local, state, and national opportunities. Wildflower supports its member schools through Grants for Schools.
Vouchers/Subsidies: Public funding like Florida’s Step Up for Students program can help schools increase access and financial stability. At Blazing Stars Montessori, founding teacher Kameeka Shirley used vouchers to expand access. → Watch Video
Individual Donors: Begin cultivating support from people who believe in your vision — friends, family, and local champions.

5. Build Your Budget and Fundraising Plan

Your budget is more than numbers — it tells the story of your school’s priorities and sustainability.

Use your five levers to model expenses and revenue
Identify any funding gap — that’s your fundraising goal
Align your strategy with the sources identified in Step 4

Fundraising is storytelling. It invites others to invest their time, talent, or treasure in your vision.

6. Set Up Your Nonprofit School and Governance Structure

Once your vision, board, and budget are in place, it’s time to legally formalize your school.

Choose a school name
Form your board and adopt bylaws
File Articles of Incorporation

Important: Incorporate only after foundational pieces are in place, as it triggers legal and financial responsibilities.

7. Find and Secure Your Facility

Your space should reflect your school’s identity and values.

Create a facilities vision
Assemble a team (e.g., real estate broker, owner’s rep)
Begin site visits and evaluate feasibility

8. Plan Human Resources and Employee Experience

HR is how your staff experience will reflect your school’s values.

Design the hiring process (including interview questions) aligned with your mission
Review and adapt Employee Handbook and Policies
Choose benefits (e.g., healthcare, retirement, tuition discount for staff)

Thoughtful HR practices not only attract strong team members — they help them stay and thrive.

9. Build Your Communications & Enrollment Infrastructure

To grow your school community, make it easy for people to find you.

Create a website with your mission, bios, and enrollment details
Share updates and stories on social media
Start an email list and send regular newsletters
Publish a school calendar with enrollment dates, events, and PD days

10. Complete Legal Filings and Financial Systems

Apply for a federal EIN and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
File state-specific registrations and tax exemptions
Adopt fiscal policies and review audit requirements
Purchase business insurance
Open a bank account and accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks Online)

11. Finalize Operations and Prepare to Open

Update your budget based on real-time decisions (tuition, staffing, facilities)
Secure and prepare your classroom environment
Hire your team and finalize HR policies
Set up payroll software (e.g., Gusto)
Adopt student record keeping systems like Transparent Classroom

🎉 Plan your opening celebration and invite your community!

Ready to Start Your School?

Starting a school is a courageous act of vision, leadership, and care. You don’t have to do it alone.

At Wildflower, we support educators launching small, community-embedded independent and charter Montessori schools — from visioning and funding to operations and ongoing growth. If you’re looking for a network of guidance, resources, and like-minded changemakers - Start a School with Wildflower.

Start a School