New Charter Application Cycle

The 2020-21 New Charter Application cycle has concluded. The links and timelines below reference the 2020-21 cycle. Monitor this page for updates regarding the 2021-22 cycle.

APPENDIX I: LETTER OF INTENT
APPENDIX II: APPLICATION FACT SHEET
APPENDIX III: PERFORMANCE GOALS AND ASSESSMENT PLAN
APPENDIX IV: CMO/NETWORK STAFF ALLOCATIONS
APPENDIX V: BUDGET TEMPLATE
APPENDIX VI: FACILITY PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE
APPENDIX VII: EXISTING OPERATOR DASHBOARD

For charter schools seeking to open in the 2021-22 school year, the deadline for submitting all applications and supporting materials to the Charter Schools Office (CSO) was November 15, 2020.

NOTE: The information on this page pertains to the application process to open a new charter school in Philadelphia. If you are seeking more information on how to apply for admission into a charter school for a student, please visit our Directory.

Timeline/Process

  • The CSO holds informational meetings in September and October.
  • Letters of Intent were due by October 15, 2020.
  • Completed applications and supporting materials were due to the CSO by November 15, 2020.
  • Within 45 days of the application deadline, the Board of Education held a public hearing to review all charter applications.
  • Within 75 days of the first public hearing, the Board of Education voted to grant or deny a new charter at a pubic action meeting.

Application Requirements

The CSO updates New Charter Application materials each academic year. Applicant teams seeking to open a new charter school in Philadelphia are encouraged to review both the Charter School Law and prior year’s application guidance and evaluation reports for submitted New Charter Applications prior to submitting a New Charter Application. Please note: The CSO does not review or provide feedback on draft applications. Once an application is submitted by the due date, it is considered final and will be reviewed as submitted.

2020-21 New Charter Applications

The table below contains information from New Charter Applications for the 2020-21 Cycle that were submitted to the Charter Schools Office by November 15, 2020. The table has been updated with Application Narratives and Evaluation Reports.

Proposed School NameStatusProposed School Opening DateYear 1 Grade Span / EnrollmentAt-Scale Grade Span / EnrollmentTarget CommunityPrimary ContactEmail Address
ASPIRA Bilingual Business, Finance, and Technology Charter High SchoolApplication Narrative | Evaluation ReportAugust 1, 20219-10 / 6009-12 / 120019120, 19134, 19140Kathryn McKinleykmckinley@aspirapa.org
Eugenio Maria De Hostos Preparatory Charter School Application Narrative | Evaluation ReportAugust 1, 2021K-5 / 690K-8 / 103519134, 19140Kathryn McKinleykmckinley@aspirapa.org
Philadelphia Collegiate Charter School for BoysApplication Narrative | Evaluation Report | Revised Application Narrative | Evaluation Report (Revised Application)September 23, 2021K, 1, 4 / 220K-12 / 126819119, 19126, 19138, 19140, 19144, 19150Mr. Jack Johnson Pannellinfo@collegiateschools.org
Pride Academy Charter SchoolApplication Narrative | Evaluation Report | Revised Application Narrative | Evaluation Report (Revised Application)August 30, 2021K-2 / 180K-5 / 360West Oak LaneDr. LaToya Johnsoninfo@pridecharter.org
Empowerment Charter SchoolApplication Narrative | Evaluation ReportSeptember 6, 2022K-2 / 234K-5 / 504Citywide Courtney Taylorcourtneysdtaylor@gmail.com
JAG-CTE Innovative Academy Charter SchoolWithdrawnSeptember 7, 20229-10 / 2509-12/ 50019118, 19119, 19120, 19138, 19141, 19144, 19150Dr. Ruth B. Pattersondr.patterson@jag-pa.org

The CSO received Letters of Intent, but did not receive New Charter Application materials, for the following proposed charter schools:

  • Brilliant Minds Charter Leadership Academy
  • CB Community School
  • Roberta B. Kennedy Charter School for Girls
  • The Academy for Urban Scholars

2020-21 Resubmitted New Charter Applications

The Charter Schools Office received a resubmitted New Charter Application from Pride Academy Charter School, a 2020-21 denied charter Applicant, on April 9, 2021. Pursuant to the Charter School Law, the Board of Education considered the resubmitted New Charter Application at the first public Board meeting occurring 45 days after receipt of the resubmitted Charter Application, and denied the resubmitted Application on May 27, 2021.

The Charter Schools Office received a resubmitted New Charter Application from Philadelphia Collegiate Charter School for Boys, a 2020-21 denied charter Applicant, on May 6, 2021. Pursuant to the Charter School Law, the Board of Education considered the resubmitted New Charter Application at the first public Board meeting occurring 45 days after receipt of the resubmitted Charter Application, and denied the resubmitted Application on June 24, 2021.