Almost anyone can start a private school. We put this to the test.

We’re reporters, not teachers. We were able to start private schools anyway

Our reporting has shown how easily people have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and more

It's Surprisingly Easy to Open Your Own Private School

Reporters at ProPublica decided to see how hard it is to open a private school in states now funding money to them—and discovered that it's not very hard at all. Journalists from the outlet teamed with local reporters in Arkansas, West Virginia, and North Carolina to easily establish schools...

Here’s How Easy It Was for Journalists to Start Two Private Schools

Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hurdles to open a school are so low, could we do it?

Almost anyone can start a private school. We put this to the test.

Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hurdles to open a school are so low, could we do it? We’re reporters, not teachers. We were able to start private schools anyway. appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.

We’re Reporters, Not Teachers. We Were Able to Start Private Schools Anyway.

Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hurdles to open a school are so low, could we do it?

CHOCHILINO We’re reporters, not teachers. We were able to start private schools anyway %

Our reporting has shown how easily people have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and more Published October 4, 2026 6:00AM (EDT) There is often a gap between educational idealism and the hyper-competitive reality of schooling. (Getty Images) This article originally appeared on ProPublica. We have no business running a private school. …