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 ServicesÂ
Texas Public Charter Schools Association
Planning & Launching
Trainings, Webinars, Sample Documents, Resources, and more…
- New Goals for New Times
March 10, 2021
Students’ learning has been interrupted and the complexities associated with re-engagement and learning gains will not be captured by standardized state assessments alone. This session is designed for public charter school leaders and authorizers inter …
Read more - How to Increase Student Engagement in Remote Learning Environments
March 10, 2021
Do you ever wonder why your students struggle with learning, yet know every word to their favorite songs? The answer involves engagement, attention, and the neuroscience of learning. In this breakout session, global learning expert, Dr. Lana Israel, sh …
Read more - Bias and Microaggressions in the Classroom
March 10, 2021
LEAD will explore the impacts of implicit biases, stereotypes, and microaggressions on BIPOC students, educators, and their communities. By the end of the webinar, participants will feel empowered to employ various means of allyship, including self-edu …
Read more - Getting the Right People on the Bus: Rules and Techniques to Assemble an All-Star Staff
March 10, 2021
It doesn’t matter how good your plans are. If you don’t have good people in place, the school won’t work. Hiring is probably the single most important factor in determining a school’s success or failure, but it remains a mystery or crapshoot for so man …
Read more - The Use of Explicit Instruction to Intercept the COVID-19 Slide
March 10, 2021
When our students returned to school for the 20-21 school year, in brick and mortar or virtually, the academic, behavioral, and social emotional impacts of the extended school closures as a result of COVID-19 became increasingly evident, specifically w …
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How can we help your school?
We’re here...because we’ve been there. The CSU’s team of consultants is eager to share what we’ve learned from developing, leading, and growing schools. Turn to us for tested strategies and tools collected from some of the country’s most successful charter school leaders and advocates.