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Starting a charter school is an exciting and impactful endeavor. As a prospective charter school founder, you're entering a world that involves educational innovation and community leadership while navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements. The hallmark of charter schools is increased autonomy for increased accountability. There are key questions you must explore early on to ensure that your vision can turn into a reality. Let’s dive into these essential questions and how they guide your path to success.
 

1. Have You Formed Your Governing School Board?

The success of your charter school begins with a strong foundation of governance. All charters must have a governing board that oversees the school. The board holds the charter and is ultimately responsible for the success of the school. To this end, your governing school board is essential not only for overseeing the school’s academic, operational, and financial performance but also for ensuring that your mission and vision for the school are realized. The board will make critical decisions about your school's policies, finances, and overall direction.

It’s important to recruit individuals with diverse expertise and a shared commitment to your mission and vision. Your governing board should consist of members who bring knowledge in an array of areas such as education, law, business, facilities, and finance, among others. Keep in mind that many charter authorizers will closely review your board during the application process to assess its capacity to govern effectively.

By forming your board early, you also build credibility in your community and show that you're serious about creating an institution that will thrive.
 

2. What Will Be Your Academic Model? 

One of the defining features of charter schools is the autonomy to innovate. However, with that autonomy comes the responsibility to create an academic model that meets the needs of students while adhering to high standards of excellence. The academic model is the heart of your school’s educational approach, shaping everything from curriculum design to teaching methodology.

Whether you’re adopting a traditional model, project-based, Montessori, STEM-focused, arts-integrated, or another model, be clear about your academic philosophy and approach. Your authorizer and potential stakeholders will want to know what makes your school unique, how your academic model aligns with state standards, and how you plan to ensure student success. Documenting this early on will help guide curriculum decisions and approaches to staff recruitment, providing a solid framework for your school’s operations.
 

3. Have You Started Documenting Evidence of Community Support and Demand?

A charter school’s ability to thrive depends not only on its academic model but also on the community's need for it. Authorizers want to see that there is sufficient demand for a new school in the area and that the community is invested in the school’s success. Be prepared to demonstrate that your school will address specific needs, whether they are related to underserved populations, educational gaps, or a lack of specialized programs in the area.

Community support can take various forms, from letters of support to petitions, public meetings, and other forms of engagement with parents, community leaders, and local organizations. Start gathering this evidence early and build relationships with key stakeholders. Community support is not just a checkbox on your application—it serves as validation that your school will serve a meaningful purpose and make a positive impact in the community. Without robust documentation of support, it is very difficult to gain approval from authorizers to start a charter school. 
 

4. Which Authorizer Are You Submitting Your Application To?

Charter schools are authorized by state and local entities, and each authorizer has its own set of requirements and application processes. It’s essential to determine which authorizer you’ll be submitting your application to early in the process. Identifying your authorizer will guide your application process, timeline, and what you need to include in your submission.

Your authorizer could be a state-level body, a local school district, or an independent charter school authorizer. Your authorizer will have its own criteria for reviewing applications. Make sure you understand the specific application guidelines for your given authorizer and tailor your submission accordingly.
 

5. When Is the Application Due?

Time is of the essence when it comes to charter school applications. Most authorizers have specific application windows and due dates, which can vary by location and year. It's critical to research your authorizer’s timeline early and set internal milestones to ensure that your application is ready in time.

You’ll need to account for not only the time it takes to complete the application itself, but also the time needed to gather necessary documents, engage with stakeholders, and develop a robust plan for your school. Starting the process early ensures that you have enough time for such tasks, as well as affords time for the iterative drafting of your application before the due date.
 

Prepare for a Successful Charter School Launch

As a potential charter school founder, exploring these questions thoughtfully and strategically is a key part of your journey. A well-formed governance board, a clear academic model, documented community support, an understanding of your authorizer, and a clear timeline for your application will set you on a path headed for success.

Starting a charter school is a complex process. We at SchoolWorks hope that by addressing these critical questions, you will soon be on your way toward building an institution that makes a lasting impact on students and your community. 

Are you looking for additional support through your new school development process? Check out our School Design and Renewal supports, and feel free to reach out to us anytime – hello@schoolworks.org. 


This article is written by Kathryn Koerner,
SchoolWorks Director of School Developer Supports