Helping new charter schools open ready to serve students
Opening a charter school takes hundreds of decisions, systems, and deadlines. CharterSource works alongside founding teams from early design through launch and expansion, so your school is ready for students on day one.
A strong launch shapes every school year that follows
The months between charter approval and the first day of school decide a lot about the place students will walk into: how enrollment runs, how teachers are hired and supported, how the board governs, and how the budget holds up. CharterSource helps founding teams build those systems with care, so school leaders can focus on what matters most: creating an exceptional experience for students.
Support at every stage
Every founding team starts in a different place. Our New and Expanding School Services meet you where you are, from shaping an early idea to preparing a second campus. Custom pricing is available for each service, based on your school's needs and timeline.
DesignRight
About three years before opening
Coaching and support for developers early in the charter school planning process.
ApplyRight
Two to two and a half years before opening
Technical assistance and coaching for schools working on their authorizer and/or Federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant applications.
StartRight
Nine to 24 months before opening
Includes dedicated support, resources, and training to help developing schools accomplish the 600+ tasks we’ve identified as necessary to complete prior to school launch. Learn how StartRight works
GrowRight
12 to 18 months before a growth decision
Expansion planning and support, including Market Need & Demand Studies and CSP Grant advising. Learn about GrowRight
StartRight: from approval to opening day
Many organizations help founding teams write a charter application. Far fewer stay with them through the months that follow, when a plan on paper becomes a working school. StartRight fills that gap. Built on the StartRight Framework, a map of the 600+ tasks new schools complete before launch, it gives your team a clear sequence, a dedicated coach, and ready-to-use tools, all tailored to your state and authorizer expectations.
We also partner with states, authorizers, and charter support organizations to bring StartRight to new schools in their communities. If your organization supports founding teams, we would love to connect.
How StartRight works
- Discovery. We get to know your vision, mission, business plan, and the commitments in your authorizer agreement.
- Framing the work. Together we set up your working group, name key focus areas, and build a prioritized timeline to opening day.
- Creating systems. We work with your team to build the operational systems, instructional model, talent model, and board structures your school will run on.
- Weekly milestone checks. Ongoing leadership and board coaching, problem solving, and accountability reviews keep progress steady.
- The StartRight Toolbox. Templates, samples, and planning tools your team can put to use right away.
Six workstreams we build together
Develop efficient operations
- Technology plan
- Health and safety systems
- Security policies
- School calendar
Build a sustainable financial model
- Financial reporting and review
- Internal controls
- Contract approval processes
Build a sustainable people model
- Professional development philosophy and requirements
- Staff goals
- New teacher support
- Professional development structures
Support your school community
- Enrollment targets aligned to authorizer milestones
- Market analysis
- Student and family recruitment strategies
- Family engagement from first interest to the first day of school
Develop academic systems
- Teacher onboarding
- Special education data applications
- Special education and English learner program visions
- Academic policies
- Required reports
Build governance systems
- Electing officers and committee chairs
- Committee charters and board goals
- Monthly board dashboard
- Policy review calendar
- Board training
GrowRight: planning your next campus
When a school is ready to reach more students, a thoughtful plan makes all the difference. GrowRight helps established schools assess readiness, understand demand in the communities they hope to serve, and prepare for funding. Support is tailored to your needs, including deliverables such as a Market Need and Demand Study and Federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant advising. We recommend starting this process 12 to 18 months before a growth decision.
Together we look at questions such as:
- What preliminary steps need to be taken with your authorizer?
- Are your academic systems ready to replicate?
- Are your operational systems ready to replicate?
- Are conditions in your community favorable for growth?
- Is your board prepared to govern an additional school?
- What are the financial realities and opportunities surrounding this expansion?
Start with a conversation
Wherever your school is in its journey, we're glad to talk through your plans and help you find the right support for your team and your future students.