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…
- Policy 3.4.4.5 – Employee Bonuses
March 9, 2021
This policy is meant to provide the option to provide employee bonuses.
Read more - Complete Sample Policy Manual
March 9, 2021
This sample policy manual provides a sample comprehensive policy manual that schools can use to craft their own policy manual. It is strongly recommended that schools do not just adopt this policy manual, but instead use it as a reference to develop a …
Read more - Sample Compensation Manual
March 9, 2021
This document provides information on how to calculate payroll information for employees, especially salaried employees whose salaries are paid over 12-months, but who may work less than 12-months out of the year. Â It provides formulas for calculating …
Read more - RFP – Alarm Monitoring
March 9, 2021
RFP (Request for Proposal) form to use to solicit bids to find a company to monitor the school’s security system. This document is just a sample, and you should modify the document with all of the pertinent information for your school before sending t …
Read more - RFP – Back Office Services Provider
March 9, 2021
RFP (Request for Proposal) form to use to solicit bids to acquire a payroll process / employee leasing company. This document is just a sample, and you should modify the document with all of the pertinent information for your school before sending this …
Read more

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.