Authorizing Practices

Founding A Charter School 101

The deadline to apply to start a new public charter school is fast approaching! This is a chance for passionate educators and innovators to expand educational opportunities for DC families. The process is rigorous, and the bar is high—but for those committed to excellence, it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Starting a public charter school is a unique opportunity to bring innovative, high-quality education to DC students and families. Each year, DC PCSB invites groups to apply to open a new school. However, the process requires careful planning, strong community engagement, and a clear demonstration of demand for the proposed program. This blog outlines the key steps to starting a public charter school in Washington, DC.

On Friday, March 14, DC PCSB received one charter school application. The application is for NewU Early College Public Charter School. This program seeks to empower students to achieve college and lifelong success by providing the shortest and most affordable pathway to a college degree. NewU Early College follows an Early College High School model to eliminate barriers to increased college attainment and empower a solution to multiple labor, population, and other challenges. View the application here.

Categories of Applicants

DC PCSB categorizes applicants into three groups:

  • Experienced Operators (EOs) – Existing nonprofit school management organizations or charter schools with at least three years of performance data for a specific educational model.
  • School Management Organizations (SMOs) – Founding groups planning to contract with an existing nonprofit or for-profit SMO for executive, academic, and/or administrative services.
  • New Schools – Founding groups with leadership, teaching, or operational experience but not replicating an existing school model.

The School Reform Act (SRA) is the law that requires individuals seeking to establish a new public charter in DC to file a petition with DC PCSB, the sole authorizer. Here is the timeline for the 2025 process:

Event Date 
Release 2024 charter application guidelines August 16, 2024
Letters of intent due (encouraged but not required) January 20, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Applicants submit all application materials. March 14, 2025 at 9 a.m. 
DC PCSB informs applicants if their applications are complete March 14, 2025 at 5 p.m. 
[EO]/[SMO] site visits, if applicable March 17 – April 14, 2025
Capacity interviews April 2, 2025
Public hearing on new school applications April 28, 2025 at 6 p.m. 
Vote on new school applications May 19, 2025 at 6 p.m. 
Release decision letters May 29, 2025
Application Guidelines and Requirements

The 2025 Charter Application Guidelines are a comprehensive resource detailing requirements and evaluation criteria. Read the guidelines here.

Applicants must submit a written proposal outlining their vision for a new public charter school, answering the five standards:

  1. Demonstrated Need for the School
  2. Sufficient Progress in Developing the Plan
  3. Consistency of the Mission and Philosophy
  4. Inclusiveness
  5. Founding Group Ability

What does an application consist of?

Applicants should submit a written application describing their plans for a public charter school in four areas, including community need, an education plan, a management plan, and a finance plan. We encourage applicants to discuss their application in an introductory meeting with staff before applying to ensure it addresses all the required areas. Following these meetings, applicant groups that intend to submit an application are encouraged to submit a letter of intent. This year we received one letter by the January 2025 deadline. However, a completed application must be submitted before the deadline. The letter of intent helps us identify potential applicants in advance, allowing us to allocate internal resources to conduct a thorough review of the application.

How to submit the application?

All application materials must be submitted electronically to DC PCSB staff by Friday, March 14, 2025, at 9 a.m. Late submissions are not accepted.  

Required materials include:

  • A non-redacted, searchable electronic version of the application.
  • A Microsoft Word version of the full application.
  • A redacted, searchable electronic version of the application.
  • Board member agreements with original signatures.

DC PCSB will publish redacted versions of each application here after March 14.  Additionally, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the new school application at a monthly board meeting, online, or by leaving a voice message. Learn more here.  

The Review Process 

In addition to the written submission, the application review process includes:

  • Site Visits – Observations of an applicant’s existing school (if applicable).
  • Capacity Interviews – In-depth discussions between DC PCSB staff, Board members, and the applicant’s leadership team.
  • Public Hearings – Opportunities for community members to provide feedback on the proposed school.


How are decisions made?

The Board will discuss the application before voting to approve or deny the request at a public meeting. DC PCSB staff will publish a report prior to the vote. 

If the Board approves the application the new school will open in the 2026 – 27 school year, at the earliest. 

Individuals can learn more about our guidelines and the application timeline HERE.

DC PCSB will update this blog if an application is submitted.

Blog updated on March 17, 2025