While the immediate demands of opening a school can be overwhelming, developing a comprehensive business plan is essential. This step will help guide strategic decisions, resource allocations, and long-term goals for your new school. Identify your target community, including students and their families, local businesses, and other educational providers.
Develop a model for your new school that aligns with your targeted community’s needs and preferences. This will help you determine how many students to enroll, what grade levels to serve, and what types of programs and services to offer.
Start by determining your funding requirements and options. There are a variety of different sources you can consider, from founder investment (committing personal assets and credit lines) to angel investors and venture capital for high-growth startups. Additionally, you may be able to find grant opportunities, foundation funding, or interest-bearing community bonds.
New York City’s experience during the pandemic demonstrates how comprehensive mitigation strategies are essential to maintaining confidence in the safety of in-person instruction. The department’s multilayered approach, ranging from masking to ventilation to social distancing and testing, has been instrumental in keeping schools open and preventing large-scale closures.
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