Planning and Launching a New School
A journey of a thousand miles begins with these steps.

What We Offer
Charter Application Training
Opening the doors on a new charter school starts with getting approval from an authorizer. The Charter Support Unit helps you navigate this step in a way that satisfies the requirements of those who are charged with upholding charter school quality while also creating a touchstone to guide the formation of your new school.
Check out the trainings page for more information.
Launch Year Training (Texas)
The Texas CSU facilitates the Texas Public Charter Schools Association’s Launch Year Training Program. Upon charter approval by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the CSU steps in to provide a year-long training, planning, and technical support leading up to the first day of school with students. Training and technical assistance covers operations, administration, and compliance and brings in subject-matter experts from across Texas.
Check out our LYT page for more information.
New School Institute (Florida)
Specifically for Florida schools, this comprehensive training series prepares for a successful opening once a school has an approved charter.
Check out the NSI page for more information about upcoming events and courses.
Resources & Templates
From checklists for new schools to sample policy manuals, the CSU’s library contains invaluable resources to get your school started on the right foot.
Value of partnership
“The value of the partnership we’ve built with the Charter Support Unit team is immeasurable. They provided guidance and walk each school through the exhaustive foundation-building process to a successful first day of school. Through our partnership, we have developed tools and resources for new schools to utilize. We plan on exploring more opportunities to collaborate. I know they’re just a phone call away. “
– Nadia Luna, VP of Member Services
Texas Public Charter Schools Association
Planning & Launching
Trainings, Webinars, Sample Documents, Resources, and more…
- From the Courtroom to the Classroom: Understanding the Intersection of Criminal and Family Law and Our Campuses
March 10, 2021
Charter schools are constantly forced to deal with issues involving students that extend far beyond the classroom. Parents fighting over custody of the child, court orders that split time sharing of a student between parents, restraining orders limitin …
Read more - New School Safety Requirements for Charter Schools
March 10, 2021
As a result of school shootings across the country, Governor Rick Scott signed SB 7026, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. This legislation outlines significant reforms to make Florida schools safer for all stakeholders. Part o …
Read more - Charter Conversations: Jana Wilcox Lavin
March 10, 2021
In her role as Executive Director of Opportunity 180, Jana spearheads the organization’s investments to provide more kids a high-quality education, more resources and data about schools to families, and more great neighborhood schools in Clark County, …
Read more - Charter Conversations: Dr. Marco Clark
March 10, 2021
This Founder & CEO’s tough love approach to inspiring his Washington D.C. students to academic achievement earned him the reputation for being America’s Toughest Principal. He brings his passionate and purposeful guidance to us on how to “Man the B …
Read more - Charter Conversations: Paul Morrissey
March 10, 2021
The Founder & Director of San Antonio’s successful Compass Rose Academy pushes for excellence by raising the bar on education. His “high expectations, productive struggle, and fanatical support” pillars lift the students and staff to reach that bar …
Read more
