Starting a Charter School

Starting a Charter School - 2016

An application to establish a new Board of Regents-authorized charter school in New York State may be submitted by one or more individuals who are teachers, parents, school administrators or community residents, under an open competitive RFP process as is set forth in NYS Education Law, Article 56 Charter Schools Act. The Board of Regents will only approve applications that clearly demonstrate a strong capacity for establishing and operating a high quality charter school. This standard requires a strong educational program, organizational plan, and financial plan, as well as clear evidence of the capacity of the founding group to implement the proposal and operate the school effectively.

2016 Round 2 Approved New Schools

During its November 2016 meeting, the Board of Regents approved and issued charters to establish three new charter schools considered in the 2016 Round 2 application review process. Congratulations to the Trustees of:

Hebrew Language Academy Charter School 2 (Brooklyn CSD 21)
South Bronx Classical Charter School IV (Bronx CSD 9)
Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School (Syracuse)

2016 Round 2 Applicants
Fifteen Applicant Groups Invited to Submit Full Applications

Fifteen of 25 applicant groups submitting a letter of intent were invited to submit a full application, which were due by August 16, 2016. Upon receipt, the full applications were reviewed between August 16 and September 9, and successful applicant groups were invited to capacity interviews between September 26 and October 7. Following the review process, The Board of Regents will consider staff recommendations and vote to approve or deny applications at its November 14-15 meeting.

2016 Round 1 Charters Issued and

2016 Round 2 Applicants Submit LOI’s

At its June meeting, the Board of Regents approved and issued charters to establish three new charter schools considered in the 2016 Round 1 application review process. Congratulations to the Trustees of the following new schools:

REACH Academy Charter School (Buffalo Public Schools)
Brooklyn Laboratory Charter High School (NYC Brooklyn: CSD 13)
WHIN Music Community Charter School (NYC Manhattan: CSD 6)

Twenty-five of 33 applicant groups submitted their respective Letters of Intent to Apply for a Charter (LOI’s) by the June 28th deadline. A review panel is in the process of reviewing these LOI’s and upon completion successful applicant groups will be invited to submit a Full Application.

2016 Round 1 and 2 Applications

2016 Round 2 Full Applications
2016 Round 2 LOI Submissions
2016 Round 1 Full Applications
2016 Round 1 LOI Submissions

Application Materials