1. Choose the model
A full five-day school, a two- or three-day hybrid, or a microschool of 12-40 students. Hybrids use space the church already has and keep tuition low, and families who homeschool on the off days can use the $2,000 TEFA homeschool account where the program is an approved vendor.
2. Understand Texas's light-touch rules
The state does not license, register or accredit private K-12 schools, and it sets no curriculum. Pre-K and child care programs are a different matter and must be licensed by the state's child care regulators. Fire, health and building codes still apply.
3. Build toward accreditation
TEFA requires accreditation by an organization the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) recognizes, or by TEA. It also requires at least two school years of continuous operation. Many Christian schools in Houston are accredited through ACSI, Cognia or the Texas Catholic Conference. Start the process in year one.
4. Join TEFA
School applications are rolling. You must give a nationally norm-referenced test to participating students in grades 3-12 every year, charge TEFA families the same tuition as everyone else, and keep a written financial-aid policy.
5. Set tuition against the funding stack
Price so that a family combining TEFA ($10,474) with a member rate pays close to nothing. Our partner fund is designed to close what's left for church-launched schools, especially in the first two years before TEFA applies.
6. Talk to us before you open
We can introduce you to our funding partner and to Houston congregations that have already started schools. We can also build your directory listing before you open so families find you on day one.