Start a Charter School
PCSB offers two applications -- Startup and Experienced Operators -- for starting a charter school in Washington, DC.
For more information, see below or email applications@dcpcsb.org.
For Startup Applicants
Startup application is designed for local founding groups that want to start a charter school and provides a thorough overview of our rigorous application process, which is designed to approve the schools that have the most chance at success. The application is designed to evaluate the founding group's ability to design and implement a new school model, either completely innovative or in partnership with existing charter/education management organizations or school to bring a relatively untested model to DC. PCSB only accepts startup applications in the spring of every year and the school may open at the start of the school year in the following calendar year, i.e. schools applying in March 2013 can open in August 2014. (Also see
revised application guidelines to address questions about goals.)
2013 Applicants (March 1 deadline)
Startup Charter Application Timeline
September 18, 2012
|
Release of Application Guidelines
|
October 13, 2012
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
|
Public Information Session
|
December 1, 2012
|
Submission of Declaration of Intent to Apply
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March 1, 2013
|
Application Submission Deadline
Parental conversion endorsement signatures due for students enrolled in Spring 2013
|
March 12-13, 20, 2013
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Applicant Interviews
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April 8-9, 2013
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Public Hearings
|
TBD
|
Site Visits |
| May 20, 2013 |
Board decisions announced publicly |
| May 2013 |
Feedback sessions with charter applicants |
| May - June 2013 |
Charter negotiations with fully approved applicants |
| June 1, 2013 |
Parental conversion endorsement signatures for students enrolled for Fall 2013
|
For Experienced Operators
Experienced Operators Application is designed for established Charter Management Companies (CMO) or Education Management Companies (EMO) that are interested in replicating a school model that has a proven track record of success (we suggest at least 3 to 5 years of state accountability data for the flagship school). The application is designed to evaluate the success of the current educational model that is being proposed for replication and the ability of the CMO/EMO to provide local and national support and resources to the DC school. Qualified applicants may apply using the experienced operator application, with a start date of the fall of the following calendar year or sooner, depending on the application.
2013 Applicants (October 1, 2012 deadline)