How do you start up a school?

[WendyC]

Anyone ever done that? :

I have read through the enki website and am totally in love with the pediology and I have this wonderful vision of a free Charter school like that here in Austin. (where I live) Austin has tons of beautiful alternative private schools, that our family just can't afford. It also has one moreso hippie-esque Charter school, that is still pretty tradtional. I really like the idea of Charter schools as schools that are free to experiement with education philosophies and still remain accesible to a wide range of economic and racial diversity.

But what the heck do I know? I am not an educator - I am just some Joe off the street who thinks it would be really cool to have a school like that accessible to anyone. I have no idea where to start.

So does anyone have any experience with setting up a new school? What are some good first steps?

[Mizelenius]

My mom and her friend did. First of all, I think you need a pretty solid vision of the end goal. Second, you need to find PEOPLE (lotsa people!) who share your vision and who are willing to work to make it happen. Figure out where you'll get funding. Start small. Easy as pie, right?

I will tell you that it is very time-consuming. VERY time-consuming. When I get ideas about a dream school, my mom suggests I start my own and I say, NO. I wouldn't get to see my children!

[melamama]

Check out the AERO website. I think it is just what you are looking for. The founder---Jerry Mintz has been involved with alternative education for over 30 years. He is a wealth of knowledge and very cool.
They have an online school starter course that a friend of mine who started a school took. The organization was very helpful to their group that started the school. It is VERY challenging to start your own school.

Go and talk to the founders of the cool schools in your area. See what they did that worked for them.

I love Enki---wish there were more Enki schools everywhere! I totally recommend them and had been using them for hsing. If this is something you are very serious about you should contact Beth Sutton--the developer of Enki.