Behind every great school day is a strong operations team
Charter school operations professionals keep students safe, fed, transported, enrolled, and supported. Our training gives you practical tools, trusted peers, and experienced guidance for the work that shapes every student's day.
When operations run smoothly, students feel it
Students notice when the bus arrives on time, the lunch schedule works, and the building feels safe and ready. Those details add up to a calmer, more consistent school day, and they give teachers more time and attention for teaching. We built our operations training to support the people who make that possible.
Find the right fit for you and your team
The Operations Institute supports your whole team all year. The OPS Program offers a deeper, cohort-based path for individual professionals. Both are built on the same course library and the same 10 Essential Competencies, so they work well on their own or together.
Operations Institute
Year-round, on-demand learning with live virtual sessions, ready-to-use tools, and a community of operations peers. One registration covers your whole operations team.
At a glance
OPS Program
A 10-month hybrid program for individual professionals, with in-person workshops, coaching from experienced operations leaders, and a capstone project at your own school.
At a glance
Operations Institute: year-round learning for your whole team
Whether someone is in their first month or their tenth year, the Institute gives your team a place to build skills on their own schedule. One annual registration covers everyone on your operations team, so your office manager, business manager, and operations director can learn side by side.
30+ on-demand courses
Self-paced sessions on the topics that fill an operations calendar, each paired with resources you can use right away.
Live virtual sessions
Scheduled throughout the year, with recordings available afterward for anyone who can't join live.
Templates and tools
Ready-to-use resources for planning, compliance, hiring, safety, and the rest of your operations work.
A community of peers
An online space to ask questions and share what's working with operations professionals at other charter schools.
A sample of the course library
Courses are grouped below by topic. View the full course catalog.
People and leadership
- Essential Competencies in Charter School Operations
- Coaching and Conflict Resolution
- Effective Strategies for Hiring and Retention
Finance and compliance
- Charter School Finance
- Evaluating Partnerships and Vendors
- Balancing Priorities and Compliance in Ops Planning
- Recruitment, Enrollment, and General State Compliance
Planning and systems
- Dynamic and Strategic Planning
- Project Management in Charter School Operations
- Transforming Data into Meaningful Improvements
- Optimizing Ops with Technology and AI
Safety and student services
- Conducting a Comprehensive School Safety Audit
- Student Transportation
- Recruitment Strategies
"I rate the Operations Institute a 10! I absolutely loved it. Being able to connect and learn from really great ops professionals; I always enjoy sharing with others."
Operations Manager, Minneapolis charter school
"The Ops Institute is a great service to the community. I will take CharterSource with me wherever I land."
School leader, Bloomington
OPS Program: a deeper path for operations professionals
The Operations Professional Studies (OPS) Program is a 10-month learning experience for charter school operations professionals who want specialized training and recognition for their expertise. You'll take the Institute's competency-based courses alongside a cohort of peers, meet in person three times, and apply what you learn to a real project at your own school.
Who it's for
Operations Directors, Operations Managers, HR Managers, Business Managers, Food Service Directors, Transportation Coordinators, Office Managers, IT Coordinators, and anyone who hopes to grow into one of these roles. If your work keeps the school day running, or you'd like it to, this program was designed with you in mind.
Your year at a glance
- Kickoff workshop (in person): Meet your cohort, complete a self-assessment, and build a learning plan around your role.
- Competency-based courses (online, throughout the year): Work through interactive courses, assessments, and activities that reinforce what you learn.
- Mid-year workshop (in person): Reconnect with your peers for hands-on learning and shared problem-solving.
- Coaching (ongoing): Individual and small group coaching from experienced operations professionals.
- Capstone and closing workshop (in person): Share a capstone project that addresses a real need at your school and celebrate with your cohort.
What you'll take with you
- Up to 100 hours of CEUs that can apply toward educator or administrative licensure, through BOSA-approved trainings
- A capstone project and work samples for your professional portfolio
- Documented training and competencies that reflect the skill your role requires
- Lasting connections with peers who do similar work
- Eligibility for future opportunities to mentor and train aspiring operations professionals
Built on 10 Essential Competencies
Developed by CharterSource from operations job descriptions and interviews with operations leaders, and aligned with Minnesota charter school law and administrative licensure requirements.
- Leadership and management
- Financial acumen
- Compliance and regulatory knowledge
- Strategic planning and problem-solving
- Data-driven decision making
- Equitable and culturally responsive leadership
- Effective communication
- Project management and systems
- Technology
- Logistics and safety
Read the Essential Competencies | View the scope and sequence
Learn from people who have done the work
Our instructors have founded and led charter schools, managed operations teams, and supported schools across Minnesota. They teach from experience and share the tools they rely on.
Holly Amaya
Executive Director, CharterSource
Kelly Gutierrez
Founder, St. Croix Preparatory Academy
Betsy Lueth
Executive Director, Twin Cities Academy
Eric Molho
Principal and Consultant, Bon Partners
Erika Sass
Co-founder, Northeast College Prep
Sara Boedecker-Johnston
Organizational Development Director, Mortenson Family Foundation
Alex Corey
Minnesota Certified Emergency Manager
Start with a conversation
Not sure which option fits your team? We're glad to talk through your goals and help you find the right starting point.