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New Charter School Application Process and Timeline

 

Application Timeline

Letter of Intent and Prospectus

First Monday Annually in August 

Full Application (only approved prospectus)

Second Friday Annually in January

Board Of Education Decision Announced 

Annually in May

 

Step 1:  Letter of Intent and Prospectus 

The first required step in applying to be approved as an operator of a charter school is the Letter of Intent. This letter provides notice to the authorizer, Prince George's County Board of Education, that a potential new charter school application is forthcoming. The Letter of Intent must be submitted directly to Monica.Gaines@pgcps.org. When submitting the Letter of Intent with the suggested prospectus, place in the email subject line, "STARTING A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL"

Prospectus (Maximum 10 pages):

Along with the Letter of Intent, all applicants are highly encouraged to submit a prospectus (preliminary application) that summarizes the proposed new charter school program.  This prospectus provides the applicant the opportunity to research the needs and justification for approving the new charter school. It is also serves as an introduction to the planned innovative and unique programmatic features of the charter school and how it will address the needs of the students and the district.  The Prospectus should be submitted with the Letter of Intent to Monica.Gaines@pgcps.org. When submitting the Prospectus with the Letter of Intent, place in the email subject line, "STARTING A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL". 

We are accepting prospectuses to open a new charter school until the deadline of August 7, 2023.  

Step 2:  Prospectus Review and Debriefing

The technical review of prospectus is an assessment of the proposed program and the value it might add to the district. The debriefing provides an opportunity for the applicant to discuss and receive feedback about the strengths and challenges of the prospectus. The information gathered during the debriefing should be helpful in developing a strong charter school application. 

Step 3:  Full Charter School Application

The full application is submitted by the applicant that provides a comprehensive description of the school from an instructional, operational and governance perspective. The applicant is required to demonstrate proficiency to a series of questions throughout the application template. Responses are expected to be clearly articulate an understanding regarding the functions needed to fulfill the responsibility of planning, opening and operations of the new public charter school. This application serves as as guide to the information that may be in requested. 

Sample - PGCPS Charter School Application.docx

Step 4: Capacity Interview and Recommendation

The final step in the application process includes the evaluation of the application and an interview with the applicant. A team of internal and external content specialists will thoroughly read and evaluate the application for merit and sound educational principles that will govern a high quality learning environment. An interview with the applicant is conducted to solicit clarifying answers to questions discovered during the evaluation of the application. The process culminates with a recommendation to the board of education for its review and approval or denial. A final decision will be rendered within 120 days of the receipt of the application. If the application is denied, a debriefing is held to share concerns.  The applicant may appeal the denial to the State Board of Education. 

Charter School Resources