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…
- Planning for Professional Development
March 10, 2021
Most schools claim that they want to create life-long learners of their students. If this is your goal, professional development should be an essential component of your program so that our teachers are demonstrating life-long learning. Dr. Tim Kitts, …
Read more - New Salary Schedule Requirements
March 10, 2021
Florida Statute 1012.22 requires that schools develop a performance salary schedule by July 1, 2014. Charter Schools are not exempt from this new requirement. This presentation will review the legal requirements, and share a potential template that sch …
Read more - Maximum Tech, Minimum Fuss
March 10, 2021
The best edtech-tools are time-efficient and propel learning into interactive experiences filled with active participation, creation, collaboration, and reflection. Join Richard Brummer, Technology Coordinator at Ben Gamla Palm Beach Charter School, fo …
Read more - Leading a Robust Mentor Program
March 10, 2021
How do you provide more leadership opportunities for you students? What is the best way to acclimate incoming new students to your school environment? Is there a quicker way for students to get to know their peers, develop new friendships, and get exci …
Read more - Item Bank and Testing Platform
March 10, 2021
The Office of Race to the Top Assessments with the Florida Department of Education has developed the Florida Item Bank and Test Platform (IBTP); a dynamic resource that allows teachers, schools, and districts to build and administer high quality, stand …
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