Upcoming Charter Schools Reviews and Renewals

The DC School Reform Act (also referred to as the SRA) requires DC PCSB to keep schools accountable to their academic goals, so that students can thrive. As part of our oversight work, we conduct a review of public charter LEAs at least every five years. For schools founded 15 years ago, we ensure they have met the goals before renewing their charters, allowing the school to continue to operate. 

Read more about the process below, and which schools are due for reviews or renewals this school year.

During our evaluation  process, we determine whether each public charter LEA is continuing to meet its charter goals and academic achievement expectations. We also examine legal compliance and fiscal management requirements as set forth in law and accounting principles. If we determine improvements need to be made, we will work with LEAs to set improvement benchmarks . 

As the sole authorizer of public charter schools in our nation’s capital, our role is to make sure LEAs that operate public charter schools are best equipped to serve all DC students–and that they can achieve a bright future. 

How the process works

During a charter review, schools can expect the following: 

  1. Schools are first invited to a pre-review meeting with DC PCSB, to further discuss the review process
  2. After the meeting, DC PCSB will conduct its Qualitative Site Review (QSR)
  3. Next, the school will be issued a preliminary charter review report from DC PCSB, containing assessment details and a formal recommendation to the Board
  4. The school is then invited to respond to their preliminary review report, by correcting factual inaccuracies or submitting a written response. 
  5. During the final step, the DC PCSB Board votes on whether the school can continue its charter. If issues are found, charters may be revoked, or allowed to continue with conditions. 

There are some cases where DC PCSB is required by law to revoke charters. These are if the school has material financial insufficiency, meaning it did not adhere to generally accepted accounting principles, engaged in a pattern of fiscal mismanagement, or if it is not economically viable. 

During the charter renewal process, schools can expect: 

  1. Schools are first invited to a pre-renewal meeting with DC PCSB, to further discuss the renewal process
  2. After the meeting, DC PCSB will conduct its Qualitative Site Review (QSR) before the school’s charter expires
  3. Schools are then invited to electronically submit their renewal applications to Epicenter. 
  4. At this point, the SRA affords the right to request an informal, public renewal hearing before the DC PCSB Board. Schools will be first informed of this right, and given time to respond.
  5. Next, the school will be issued a preliminary charter review report from DC PCSB, containing assessment details and a formal recommendation to the Board.
  6. Before voting,  DC PCSB will conduct a renewal hearing if the school requested it.
  7. Finally, DC PCSB will vote during a regularly-scheduled meeting whether to renew a school’s charter. Charters may be renewed for another fifteen-year term, renewed under conditions, or discontinued. If the Board elects to discontinue a charter, the SRA gives schools the right to appeal this decision to an “appropriate court in the District of Columbia.”  

Learn more about the reviews and renewals process, including requirements and individual school reports approved by the Board, here.

How schools can prepare for the process

To prepare for a charter Review, schools should make sure their charter is up-to-date, particularly concerning its goals and academic achievement expectations. They should also ensure that they have cured any points of legal noncompliance previously identified by DC PCSB or OSSE. 

To prepare for a charter Renewal, schools should make sure their charter is up-to-date, particularly concerning its goals and academic achievement expectations, and ensure that they have cured any points of legal noncompliance previously identified by DC PCSB or OSSE. They should also begin analyzing their performance in meeting their goals and expectations, and begin drafting their charter renewal application.

How the public can engage

The public is encouraged to submit written or voice testimony or sign up to testify at a board meeting. Written reports will be provided prior to the Board discussion.  Please see the public comment page to learn more, https://dcpcsb.org/public-comment. 

 
The following are schools undergoing a review or renewal in school year 2022-23: 

Reviews

Up for 5-year Review

  • Digital Pioneers Academy. Presented to the Board on February 27, 2023
  • Statesmen PCS. Presented to the Board on February 27, 2023
  • The Family Place PCS. Presenting to the Board on March 20, 2023

 

Up for 10-year Review

  • SELA PCS. Presented to the Board on December 19, 2022
  • Ingenuity Prep PCS. Presented to the Board on February 27, 2023
  • Community College Prep Academy. Presenting to the Board on March 20, 2023

 

Up for 20-year Review

  • DC Prep PCS. Presented to the Board on January 23, 2023
  • Eagle Academy PCS. Presented to the Board on January 23, 2023
  • LAMB PCS. Presented to the Board on January 23, 2023

 

Up for 25-year Review

  • SEED PCS. Presented to the Board on January 23, 2023
  • EW Stokes PCS. Presented to the Board on February 27, 2023
  • Friendship PCS. Presenting to the Board on April 24, 2023
  • Maya Angelou PCS. Presenting to the Board on April 24, 2023
  • Carlos Rosario PCS. Presenting to the Board on April 24, 2023
  • César Chávez PCS. Presenting to the Board on April 24, 2023

 

Renewals

Up for 15-year Renewal 

  • Achievement Prep Academy PCS. Presented to the Board on December 19, 2022
  • Center City PCS. Presented to the Board on December 19, 2022 
  • Washington Yu Ying PCS. Presented to the Board on December 19, 2022