Introduction

ProPublica journalists conducted an experiment to test how easily a private school could be established across different states, aiming to expose minimal barriers many states impose, especially for schools seeking public funding through voucher programs.

What Happened

In Arkansas, the team filed paperwork with the secretary of state, paid a $45 fee, and displayed an American flag to gain official private school status. The process took less than an hour. When applying for voucher eligibility, however, additional requirements such as accreditation and curriculum development stood in the way, leading the reporters to pursue a microschool pathway that required far less documentation.

In West Virginia, the reporters handwrote application details on notebook paper, submitted a real college transcript as proof of a high school diploma, and received official school recognition without any inspection or background check.

North Carolina presented ethical and procedural hurdles; the team used a brewery's inspection reports to satisfy fire and sanitation requirements but ultimately withdrew when a state official demanded school-specific inspections, citing concerns about public resource use.

Why This Matters

The experiment revealed that many states have almost no guardrails for new private schools, especially those seeking taxpayer-funded vouchers. Reporters found that simply displaying a flag, paying a small fee, or submitting a single transcript can grant official status. With little oversight, schools can access public money without proven credentials, curriculum, or safety inspections. This raises serious questions about accountability, student safety, and the use of public funds.

Key Takeaways

  • Arkansas requires only a flag, flagpole, and $45 fee for school recognition; voucher eligibility adds accreditation hurdles, but microschools bypass many of these.
  • West Virginia's microschool pathway requires only a high school diploma transcript, with no inspections, background checks, or curriculum reviews.
  • North Carolina's requirements for fire and sanitation inspections proved a significant barrier, leading the team to abandon the effort rather than divert public inspectors' time.
  • Across all three states, the ease of registration contrasts sharply with the lack of ongoing oversight once a school is officially recognized.

Conclusion

The ProPublica experiment demonstrates that starting a private school can be surprisingly simple, especially when the goal is simply to obtain official status. However, the path to public funding reveals where states draw lines—and where they don't. Readers concerned about school accountability, voucher programs, or education policy should pay close attention to these findings, as the implications affect families and students across the country.