School status under I.R.C. Summary:Pre-Operational Public Charity Status : Non-profit schools can secure public charity status under I.R.C. A school does not have to establish broad public support to avoid private foundation status. And this “public support” issue for these organizations is indefinitely – not just for the first five years of activity. To qualify and remain exempt, a private school must adopt a racially nondiscriminatory policy as to students, publicize it, and operate consistently with it.