New Charter Application Cycle

The 2020-21 application cycle for new charter schools in Philadelphia is underway. Please use the links below to access the new charter application materials for the 2020-21 cycle.

NEW CHARTER APPLICATION GUIDELINES (2020-21)
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) is 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.

Information Webinars

The CSO hosted three identical informational webinars regarding the New Charter Application process for those interested in opening a new charter school. If you have any questions regarding the information sessions, please email charterapplications@philasd.org or call 215-400-6139.

  • Tuesday, September 15, 2020 (10:00AM – 10:30AM)
  • Wednesday, October 1, 2020 (2:00PM – 2:30PM)
  • Thursday, October 8, 2020 (12:00PM – 12:30PM)
Click here to Access the Informational Webinar Slides

Timeline/Process

  • The CSO holds informational meetings in September and October.
  • Letters of Intent are due by October 15, 2020.
  • Completed applications and supporting materials are due to the CSO by November 15, 2020.
  • Within 45 days of the application deadline, the Board of Education will hold a public hearing to review all charter applications.
  • Within 75 days of the first public hearing, the Board of Education will determine whether to grant or deny each new charter.

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 Application Letters of Intent for the 2020-21 Cycle that were submitted to the Charter Schools Office by October 15, 2020.

Proposed School NameStatusProposed School Opening DateYear 1 Grade Span / EnrollmentAt-Scale Grade Span / EnrollmentTarget CommunityPrimary ContactEmail Address
ASPIRA Bilingual Business, Finance, and Technology High SchoolLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 20219-10 / 6009-12 / 120019120, 19134, 19140Kathryn McKinleykmckinley@aspirapa.org
Brilliant Minds Charter Leadership AcademyLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 7, 2021K-4 / 65K-8 / 45519142, 19143, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148, 19153Taneisha McKendrickBmcla2013@gmail.com
CB Community SchoolLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 7, 20219-12 / 1009-12 / 1000Students involved in Juvenile Justice and/or Foster SystemsAdam LandauALandau@permitcapital.com
Eugenio Maria De Hostos Preparatory Charter School Letter of Intent SubmittedAugust 2021K-5 / 690K-8 / 103519134, 19140Kathryn McKinleykmckinley@aspirapa.org
JAG-CTE Innovative Academy Charter SchoolLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 7, 20219-10 / 2509-12/ 50019118, 19119, 19120, 19138, 19141, 19144, 19150Dr. Ruth B. Pattersondr.patterson@jag-pa.org
Philadelphia Collegiate Charter School for BoysLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 1, 2021K, 1, 4 / 220K-12 / 126819144, 19138 Northwest Philadelphia, GermantownMr. Jack Johnson Pannellinfo@collegiateschools.org
Pride Academy Charter SchoolLetter of Intent SubmittedAugust 30, 2021K-2 / 180K-5 / 360West Oak LaneDr. LaToya Johnsoninfo@pridecharter.org
Roberta B. Kennedy Charter School for GirlsLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 2, 20206-8 / 3756-12 / 875Citywide, Females Ages 11-18Elzena Robinsonpromising_minds@comcast.net
Shirley Chisholm Empowerment Charter SchoolLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 6, 2022K-2 / 234K-5 / 50419141Courtney Taylorcourtneysdtaylor@gmail.com
The Academy for Urban ScholarsLetter of Intent SubmittedSeptember 20219-12 / 1509-12 / 17419121, 19132, 19133, 19140DeVeonne L. Whitedwhite@ausohio.com