Starting a Girls’ School

Starting a Girls' School

As the leading advocate for girls’ schools, we are eager to support those who wish to imagine and explore new opportunities that educate and empower young women. As such, we often hear from individuals and groups interested in starting a girls’ school. Below are guidelines and important steps to consider prior to opening a girls’ school as well as additional resources to support you on your journey.

The information provided on this page is not intended to be an exhaustive list of steps, but rather key questions that should be contemplated by potential school founders on the tremendous undertaking of starting a girls’ school.

1. Why All-Girls?

Your team must clearly articulate why you want to start a girls’ school. Your understanding of the research and practice of successful girls’ schools will inform the design of your educational program. A thorough and research-based understanding of the benefits and distinctions of girls’ schools will enable you to make a strong case to all of your stakeholders. Through publications, research reports, and advocacy tools that support and promote the unique benefits and outcomes of girls’ schools, NCGS provides resources that define the girls’ school advantage.

2. What are the School’s Core Values?

The Core Values:

  • Are the principles that guide you in establishing the school.
  • Set the foundation for how the school community will interact with the internal and external world.
  • Should be evident in your program design.

3. What is the School’s Vision?

A Vision Statement:

  • Defines what you want your school to achieve over time.
  • Provides guidance and inspiration as to what the school should do five, ten, or more years down the road.
  • Is written succinctly in an inspirational manner that makes it easy for stakeholders to repeat at any given time.

Note: Incorporate the top three to five values into your Vision Statement (refer to Core Values section above).

4. Whom Will the School Serve?

This question should be discussed prior to drafting your mission statement. Know your potential student population geography, socio-economic status, academic ability, and cultural diversity. How will you design your program to meet the specific needs of your prospective students? Is there a specific geographic area or demographic you want to target? This will help you determine the type of school you should open and the mission of your particular school.

5. What is the School’s Mission?

A Mission Statement:

  • Defines the purpose of the school
  • Answers three critical questions:
    • What does the school do?
    • Whom does the school serve?
    • How will the school achieve the desired outcomes?
  • Is written succinctly in the form of a few sentences.
  • Is something all staff, students, and key stakeholders can understand and articulate.

Note: Incorporate the top three to five values into your Mission Statement (refer to Core Values section above).

6. What Type of School Do You Want to Open?

There are three primary pathways to opening a new school:

  1. Charter School: A charter school a publicly funded school established by teachers, parents, or community groups under the terms of a charter with a local or national authority.The actual “charter” that establishes these types of schools is a performance contract detailing the school’s unique mission, program, student population, performance goals, and methods of assessment. One example of this model is the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women.
  2. District Initiative or Contract School: These schools are initiatives that are incubated in collaboration with the local school district. These are traditional public schools in their operation and governance structure, but may have additional resources and support from an outside community partner. Strong examples of this model are the Young Women’s Leadership Network schools in New York and the Young Women’s Preparatory Network schools in Texas.
  3. Independent School (Religious or Non-Sectarian): An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions; and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, donations, and endowment. It is governed by a board of trustees that is elected by independent means and a system of governance that ensures its independent operation. Please consult the directory of NCGS member schools for several examples of this model.

7. What Are the Next Steps?

Creating and sustaining a new girls’ school is a significant undertaking. NCGS highly recommends individuals and groups considering opening a school conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of their school plan.

Provisional Membership

The Coalition offers provisional membership to girls’ schools that are in formation or newly established girls’ schools.

Provisional dues for Independent Schools:

  • Year 1 — $500
  • Year 2 — $1,000
  • Year 3 — $1,500
  • Year 4 — Full Independent School Member

Provisional dues for Public/Charter/Tuition-free Schools:

  • Year 1 — 25% of current year dues for public/charter/tuition-free schools
  • Year 2 — 50% of current year dues for public/charter/tuition-free schools
  • Year 3 — 75% of current year dues for public/charter/tuition-free schools
  • Year 4 — Full Public/Charter/Tuition-free School Member

Please contact Jean Baker, Manager of Membership & Outreach, if you have any questions about membership or the application process.

Additional Resources:

  • Publications: brochures and research reports for prospective families that make the case for the benefits of all-girls schools
  • On Educating Girls: Podcast on Educational Possibilities: featuring experts in the field of girls’ education
  • Quick Facts: data points about the unique outcomes of girls’ school graduates
  • Research Reports: a curated archive of research studies, indexed by topic, on girls’ education and their healthy development
  • Videos: advocacy videos that message the unique benefits of girls’ schools