How do charter public schools get started?

Groups – usually comprised of teachers, parents, and/or community members submit an application to the school district; the school district approves the application; the applicants form a governing board that negotiates a contract with the district school board; and the applicants and district school board agree upon a charter or contract. The district school board then becomes the sponsor of the charter school. The negotiated contract outlines expectations of both parties regarding the school's academic and financial performance.

Applicant groups should present strong school governance models with necessary board member skill sets, a comprehensive business plan demonstrating a high level of fiduciary and operational acumen, and an academic program either filling an educational void or introducing an innovative model not currently offered to public school students.

 

CharterStart

CharterStart is a program available to individuals and founding groups who are seriously interested in starting a high quality charter public school in Florida.

CharterStart is a comprehensive and targeted training program provided as a service of the Florida Charter School Alliance. CharterStart will support founding groups through technical and hands-on assistance through the application process (specific to the laws and rules of Florida) and in the planning stages for opening and initial operations.

The program consists of a CharterStart workshop series, application review and individual consulting with founding groups. Participants will be provided with research-based materials, information, and best practices relative to opening a quality charter school in Florida. In addition, the Alliance may provide founding groups with feedback and technical assistance related to sponsor expectations on charter application drafts and foundation and public grant application expectations.

Benefits of Joining CharterStart

  • Application review
  • Sample documents and excerpts from successful applications
  • Planning and implementation forms and templates
  • Budget and financial review
  • Interview preparation and support
  • Personalized consulting
  • Assistance and review of CSP Grant application

Contact:

Lori Butler
Vice President of School Services
lbutler@flcharteralliance.org
954-881-5792