New School Setup Checklist

Setting up a new school — or opening a new campus — requires coordinating dozens of operational tasks simultaneously. This checklist ensures that administrative systems, academic structures, staffing, and compliance requirements are all in place before the first student arrives. It is structured around the critical pre-opening phases that determine whether a school opens smoothly or spends its first term firefighting basic operational failures. Following this checklist helps new school proprietors avoid the most common and costly early mistakes.

For: School proprietors, founders, and administrators setting up a new school or new campus from scratch, including faith-based schools, private day schools, boarding schools, and international schools in Africa. · When: Begin using this checklist 6–12 months before opening day. Some items, especially licensing and infrastructure, require lead times of several months.