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Start a Charter School

In alignment with the Strategic Roadmap, DC PCSB is pleased to announce the release the 2023 Charter Application Guidelines.

Over the last year, DC PCSB has worked to re-envision the evaluation of new schools. The shifts in our process seek to improve the quality of applications received by the Board and provide strong, in-demand options to DC students and families.  Learn more about our revision steps here.

The School Reform Act (SRA) requires applicants seeking to establish a new public charter school in DC to file a petition with DC PCSB, as the sole authorizer in DC. The 2023 Charter Application Guidelines explains the process by which applicants submit their petitions and DC PCSB evaluates them.

For questions about charter applications, please contact applications@dcpcsb.org.

Components of the Application Review Process

Based on the following four components and the Standard for Approval, the DC PCSB Board will vote at a public meeting for one of three possible outcomes for each applicant group: approval with standard conditions, approval with standard and school-specific conditions, and denial. More information on the Standard for Approval and applicant decisions can be found in the guidelines.

  • Written applications should be submitted according to the 2023 Charter Application Guidelines. Each written application, with redactions, is made available on DC PCSB’s website for public access.
  • Site visits to the operator’s existing school(s) will be scheduled for all eligible existing operator [EO] or school management organizations [SMO].
  • Capacity interviews allow DC PCSB staff and Board members to ask founding group members a series of questions. Topics include the founding group’s ability to execute the plan as written; supports for SWD, ELs, and at-risk students; teacher recruitment and retention; demand for the proposed school; and weak or confusing areas of the application. Transcripts of the capacity interviews will be made public.
  • Public hearings are opportunities for the Board and the public to hear from the founding group. The applicant may provide prepared comments no longer than five minutes, then the Board will question the applicant group about its application, planning process, or any other relevant topic. The public will also have the opportunity to give testimony about the application.

Timeline

The following timeline represents the external-facing events comprising the 2023 Charter Application Review Cycle. Dates are subject to change based on scheduling needs. DC PCSB staff will notify prospective applicants if there are changes and dates will be updated here. All times are provided in Eastern Time (ET).

Event 

Date 

Release revised charter application guidelines 

August 31, 2022 

Letters of intent due (encouraged but not required) 

January 20, 2023 at 5 p.m. 

Applicants submit all application materials. 

March 6, 2023 at 9 a.m. 

DC PCSB informs applicants if their applications are complete 

March 6, 2023 at 5 p.m. 

[EO]/[SMO] site visits, if applicable 

March 13 – April 14, 2023 

Capacity interviews 

March 22 – 23, 2023 

Public hearing on new school applications 

April 18, 2023 at 6 p.m. 

Vote on new school applications 

May 15, 2023 at 6 p.m. 

Decision letters released 

May 25, 2023 

2023 Charter Application Guidelines

Read what are the requirements to submit an application and how DC PCSB reviews and evaluates them.
2023 Charter Application Guidelines

Sector Planning Supplement

New school and expansion request applications must respond to the relevant data identified in the Sector Planning Supplement to inform their case for demand. New school applicants must meet at least the Standard “Demonstrated Need for the School” to receive approval.

Sector Planning Supplement

Charter Application Archive

The School Reform Act (SRA) requires applicants seeking to establish a new public charter school in DC to file a petition with DC PCSB, as the sole authorizer. This archive displays previously approved and denied charter school applications from 2011 through 2021.
Charter Application Archive

Charter Schools Program Grant

Learn more about the Title IV, Part C Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant for eligible new, replicating, and expanding DC public charter schools, as administered by the Office of State Superintendent for Education (OSSE).
Charter Schools Program Grants
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