New Charter Application Cycle
The links and timelines below reference the 2021-22 cycle.
For charter schools seeking to open in the 2022-23 school year, the deadline for submitting all applications and supporting materials to the Charter Schools Office (CSO) is November 15, 2021.
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 Application & Enrollment page here.
Information Webinars
The CSO hosted three 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 215-400-5786.
- Friday, September 10, 2021 (10:00 AM)
- Wednesday, September 22, 2021 (12:00 PM)
- Friday, October 8, 2021 (11:00 AM)
Timeline/Process
- The CSO holds informational meetings in September and October.
- Letters of Intent are due by October 15, 2021.
- Completed applications and supporting materials are due by November 15, 2021.
- 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 vote to grant or deny a new charter at a public 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.
2021-22 New Charter Applications
The table below contains information from New Charter Application Letters of Intent for the 2021-22 Cycle that were submitted to the Charter Schools Office by October 15, 2021.
| Proposed School Name | Status | Proposed School Opening Date | Year 1 Grade Span / Enrollment | At-Scale Grade Span / Enrollment | Target Community | Primary Contact | Email Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASPIRA Bilingual Business, Finance, and Technology Charter High School | Letter of Intent Submitted | August 1, 2022 | 9-10 / 600 | 9-12 / 1200 | 19140, 19120, 19134 | Kathryn McKinley | kmckinley@aspira.org |
| ASPIRA Eugenio Maria De Hostos Preparatory Charter School | Letter of Intent Submitted | August 1, 2022 | K-5 / 690 | K-8 / 1035 | 19134, 19140 | Kathryn McKinley | kmckinley@aspira.org |
| Athletic Club of Fairhill Academy | Letter of Intent Submitted | Not Listed | K-1 / 90 | K-5 / 540 | Fairhill and 19133 | James Burks | acfairhill@gmail.com |
| Philadelphia Entrepreneurial Development Academy Charter High School | Letter of Intent Submitted | September 6, 2022 | 9-11 / 300 | 9-12 / 700 | Citywide | Bernard X. James, II | Philaedainc@gmail.com |
| Shirley Chisholm Empowerment Charter School | Letter of Intent Submitted | September 6, 2023 | K-2 / 234 | K-5 / 504 | Logan | Courtney Taylor | courtneytaylor@empowermentcharter.org |