Introduction

ProPublica journalists decided to test the limits of private school founding by attempting to launch schools in three states. The experiment aimed to uncover just how accessible the process really is, and what it reveals about the broader education landscape.

What Happened

In Arkansas, the barrier to entry was strikingly low: a $45 filing fee, a form on the secretary of state's website, and an American flag. The team received a certificate of organization the same day, establishing the ProPublica-Arkansas Times Curiosity Academy. West Virginia required a handwritten notice of intent, which led to a brief health-safety hurdle that was quickly resolved by exploring the state's microschool pathway. North Carolina's process involved an online notice of intent, fire and sanitation inspections, and a state that will not deny an application but will not process incomplete ones.

  • Arkansas: $45, flag, same-day certification; now 220+ private schools and 143 microschools eligible for voucher funds.
  • West Virginia: Handwritten application, then microschool route bypasses building-inspection requirements; unlimited enrollment possible.
  • North Carolina: Online notice, mandatory fire and health inspections; state won't deny but won't process applications missing required reports.

Why This Matters

With hundreds of new private schools opening each year and public funds directed toward voucher programs, the experiment highlights a system with remarkably few guardrails. The findings suggest that, for better or worse, the barriers to entering the private school sector are far lower than most assume, raising questions about oversight, accountability, and the implications for public education funding.

Key Takeaways

  • No teaching experience or formal qualifications are required to start a private school in any of the three states.
  • Arkansas's Education Freedom Accounts program has expanded from fewer than 100 to more than 220 private schools since 2023.
  • West Virginia's microschool category offers a path that skips traditional safety inspections while still allowing unlimited student enrollment.
  • North Carolina requires fire and sanitation inspections, but state statute prohibits the agency from denying a private school application.
  • The reporters ultimately declined to enroll students, but the experiment proved that starting a school is far simpler than expected.

Conclusion

The investigation demonstrates that starting a private school is far easier than most people expect. As voucher programs grow and more states relax entry requirements, the experiment's most pressing question remains: when the hurdles are this low, what does that mean for students, families, and the future of education oversight?