Running a Private School

Get help and guidance on running a private school. Find guidance and resources related to administration, fundraising and marketing. Explore strategic plan development, creative fundraising ideas and the latest technology uses in marketing.

View the most popular articles in Running a Private School:

Does Your School Avoid Politics?

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Does Your School Avoid Politics?
Does your school avoid politics? You might want to make sure it does if you are set up as a non-profit corporation.

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

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

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

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

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

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Technology Products for Schools

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Technology Products for Schools
Your community expects the best technology to be in place in your classrooms. Take advantage of the fast moving market which is always coming out with new products at ever lower prices.

Your school needs dependable hardware. It needs hardware which will have many uses and also increase productivity. Whether you are in the market for projectors, white boards, a remote KVM switch, you need the best. Use these suggestions as a starting point in your evaluation process. The product links take you to the manufacturers' sites which will indicate where you can purchase these or similar items. Take a few minutes to bookmark and read Benjamin Herold's informative article in Education Week entitled Technology in Education: An Overview.

Promeathean ActivPanel
A whiteboard has so many uses for the creative teacher that I hardly know where to begin. 21st-century students live in a digital world most of the time, so it just makes sense to teach them using media-rich devices such as interactive whiteboards. Promeathean is but one manufacturer. Google "electronic whiteboards" to find several others. Don't stint on professional installation and training. Both are essential in order to receive full value.

Manufacturer's Description:
The award-winning ActivPanel is powered by a revolutionary, upgradeable Android processor that transforms the traditional projection display into an intelligent hub that unleashes the power of teacher and student connectivity. - See more.

Dymo LabelWriter® 450
This little printer is worth its weight in gold. Use it to label just about anything. Great for printing barcode labels for all your valuable classroom equipment.

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Keeping In Touch With Your Graduates

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Keeping In Touch With Your Graduates
You have many ways to keep in touch with your graduates. Each generation of graduates needs a method of communication which suits its expectations.

Keeping in touch with your graduates is not easy these days. In the old days, you sent a chatty snail mail letter to your graduates two or three times a year. It was full of news about marriages, grad school, jobs, and so on. Of course, it always had updates and information about goings-on at school, sports results and a word from your favorite teachers. Those kinds of newsletter mailings to alumni still go out. If you can afford them, your older graduates will most definitely appreciate them. The reality is that each generation of graduates needs a method of communication which suits its expectations.

Printed mailings have been largely supplanted by interactive school web sites where graduates can log on and keep in touch with their classmates whenever and wherever they choose.

Most alumni relations staff realize that their most recent classes don't stay in touch in the same ways their older graduates do. Snail mail and printed materials are fine for the class of '70 and earlier. Even Web portals may only be effective for the classes prior to '00. Our recent grads are a completely different beast.

The classes from 2001 onwards are the text, cellphone, YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, and the Facebook crowd. They are all about social networking. Put a class reunion on YouTube and the response will be tremendous. When one of your alums creates a group on a social networking site, it will invariably draw other alums. They all love keeping in

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State Regulation of Private Schools

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State Regulation of Private Schools
This article explores the complex landscape of state regulation of private schools in the United States. It discusses the balance between parental rights, state interests, and religious freedom, while providing an overview of how different states approach the regulation of private education.

State Regulation of Private Schools provides a brief description, by state, of the legal requirements that apply to private schools. In addition, each state entry includes statistics on private schools by type in the state. This manual is intended to serve as a reference for public and private school officials, state policymakers, and researchers. This manual is an update of a 1993 publication by the (then) Office of Private Education, The Regulation of Private Schools in America: A State-by-State Analysis.

To ensure the accuracy of the analysis, contact persons in each state were designated by the Chief State School Officer. Each state summary was submitted to the appropriate state department of education for their consideration and approval. The individuals in each state who reviewed and amended these summaries were key to the timely and accurate updating of this information. Their participation, cooperation, and expertise are most appreciated. For the first time, legal requirements regarding homeschooling are included in each state. s summary. Additionally, state data on private schools from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics are included for each state.

This document is intended to provide helpful guidance. It creates no new rights or responsibilities. Additionally, nothing in this study reflects the position of the U.S. Department of Education as to the meaning or effect of any state legal requirement. Readers are encouraged to consult state constitutions and the full text of relevant case law, statutes, and regulations.

Under the United States Constitution, parents

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Running a Private School

ADMINISTRATIVE
Here you'll find information on the administrative side of running a private school. We'll cover strategic plan development, state regulations, human resources and school safety. Learn more about the obstacles of taking over a struggling school, get tips on hiring a headmaster, and receive expert advice on dealing with bad press.
FUND-RAISING
Private schools often need to be creative when it comes to funding. This section provides tools, tips and resources on fundraising. Learn more about supporting your school, how to handle major gifts, and why keeping in touch with graduates can benefit your budget.
MARKETING AND TECHNOLOGY
Advances in technology have changed the way businesses market themselves. This section provides tips on social media marketing, information on the latest technology being used and SEO basics for private schools.