Published On: 22 Jun,2010

Starting a Christian school is a very tedious process that can take up to a year to determine curriculum, decide upon your testing capabilities and to gain enthusiasm among the children. But, if you use a collective effort and involve friends, parents, community and church leaders, your task won't be too hard to bear.

You can begin with a planning group that captures the interest of fellow parents, church members and community leaders. Plan for this group to meet at least six months to a year before you plan to start your home school. Provide responsibility in this group by creating committees such as a fiscal committee, marketing team or a legal branch that stays on top of any home school changes in your state.

Each committee should be chaired. Choose a name of your committee or group that includes elements of the school's affiliation, such as "Steubenville Baptist Elementary School." This group will be instrumental in creating a strong business plan. The business plan, including a marketing plan, budget, enrollment projections and more, is essential for you to gather financing for this school.

Although your school might survive the first year on the 'kindness of strangers,' you might realize that a budget is essential to aquire space to grow, teachers who are qualified and top-notch materials. You will need to hire key personnel, especially when it comes to budget, finances, and making sure that your school meets all standards. To be recognized as a legitimate and/or accredited school, your institution must meet specific educational guidelines and be registered with your state's education department. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education will direct you to the specific guidelines in your area.

Find teachers who are professionals in their study area. If you feel that your budget does not allow you to hire full time professional teacher, talk to volunteers. You can file your school as a nonprofit as well, but -- once again -- you will need to meet certain criteria. All these decisions and more, including tuition costs and how many children you want in your school, all need to be realized before you open your door to the first class. But, opening a school is very much like opening a business, and you can pick up on many tips about this type of venture online and through other home school ventures.