Charter School Application Process
The charter school application process provides Louisiana non-profit organizations with the opportunity to create schools that parents and guardians desire for their students. The students of Louisiana are diverse and thus, shall be provided with school choice options that best fit their individual needs.
The charter school law was enacted by the Louisiana Legislature to create a structure whereby city, parish, and other local public school boards and BESE can authorize the creation of innovative schools for students in Louisiana. BESE, as an authorizer of Type 2, 4, and 5 charter schools, has the responsibility to implement a comprehensive application process with fair procedures and rigorous criteria, enter into charter contracts with approved charter schools that articulate the rights and responsibilities of each party regarding school autonomy, and provide on-going oversight, including monitoring compliance, measuring progress, and implementing interventions in the areas of academic performance, organizational effectiveness, and financial responsibility.
For additional information on starting a charter school or charter school-specific guidance, please visit the Charter School Library.
2023-2024 New Charter School Request for Applications
New Operator Common Charter Application
- Nonprofit organization whose primary members (founder and/or proposed school leader) do not have prior experience in leading or managing a public school; and
- Who do not intend to employ an educational service provider (ESP) with prior experience in leading or managing public schools.
- See the addendum for virtual operators
Experienced Operator Common Charter Application
- Nonprofit organizations whose primary members (founder and/or proposed school leader) have prior experience in leading or managing a single public school; and/or
- Nonprofit organizations which have operated more than one charter school; and/or
- Nonprofit organizations which intend to employ an education service provider (ESP) which has operated more than one charter school.
- See the addendum for virtual operators
Application submission begins with an Letter of Intent (LOI) submission. The LOI must be emailed no later than February 23, 2024, at 5 pm to charters@la.gov.
KEY DATES FOR BESE APPROVED CHARTER APPLICATIONS (Types 2, 4, and 5 Charters)
February 23, 2024
- LDOE application window opens for Types 2, 4, and 5 applicants.
- Letter of Intent Due
March 8, 2024
- Eligibility Determination Forms Due
April 19, 2024
- LDOE submission deadline for the full application for Types 2, 4, and 5 applicants.
July 2024
- Types 2, 4, and 5 Applicants: Capacity Interviews conducted by third-party evaluator. [Tentative date]
August 20, 2024
- Types 2, 4, and 5 Applicants: BESE considers applications for new charter schools.
Please reach out to charters@la.gov with any questions.
Additional Resources
Stay up-to-date with monthly school system planning calls by checking the LDOE School System Calendar.
New School Choice Pandemic Response Funding
Overview
New School Choice Pandemic Response Funds (NSC Funds) will be available to Type 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, and 5 charter schools in the first three years of operation with the purpose of providing evidenced-based interventions to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of students. Awards will utilize the Louisiana Department of Education’s ESSER funding allocated to the SEA. The maximum allocation will be up to $350,000 to be distributed in accordance with the timeline below, upon a successful application. The charter school must comply with all funding requirements related to ESSER funds, including any additional ESSER funding through their authorizer, such as the 20% reservation to provide evidenced-based interventions.
Eligibility
Charter schools that have been approved to open by the local authorizer or the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are eligible to apply. Schools in the planning year prior to opening of the school are eligible to apply for planning and implementation funding and schools in their first semester of operation are eligible to apply for implementation funding. Applications will open again in fall of 2023.
Application
Application submission require 4 components;
1) Application Narrative:
a) Cover page
b) Award narrative (3 page limit)
c) Approach to equity (2 page limit)
2)
NSCPRF Budget
3) Approved charter school application (for non-BESE authorized schools)
4) 3 year charter budget
All four components of the application must be emailed no later than
Friday, April 20, 2023, at noon to
charters@la.gov.
Zoom support call to be held Monday, April 17, 2023 at 8:00 am.