Starting a Charter School

Given the freedom to be innovative while still being accountable for student achievement, charter schools have improved the K-12 public education landscape in Florida, have empowered parents to be true partners in a child’s education, and have raised the bar for what is possible in public education. Created three decades ago to improve access to quality public educational options and close the achievement gap, charter schools have done that and more.

If you have an idea for an innovative charter school…one that breaks with tradition, thinks outside the box, or aims to serve a historically under-served community, look at the resources below.We also recommend you visit the charter school page of the district you plan to apply to.

What is a Charter School?

Charter Schools are public schools that operate under a performance contract or “charter” which frees them from many of the regulations for traditional public schools.

Charter schools may be created when an individual, a group of parents or teachers, a municipality, or a legal entity submits an application to the authorizing agent, usually a school district. The application will demonstrate how the school will use the guiding principles outlined in s.1002.33(6), F.S., provide a detailed curriculum, contain goals and objectives for student performance, separately describe the reading curriculum and strategies, and contain an annual financial plan. Upon approval, the applicants form a governing board that negotiates a contract with the sponsor outlining the expectations of both parties regarding the school’s academic and financial performance. Source: FLDOE

Section 1002.33(6), F.S., requires charter school applicants to submit an application on a model application form developed by the Florida Department of Education. The sponsor must then review the application using the evaluation instrument also developed by the Department. If approved, the sponsor will present a contract for negotiation using the model contract format.

Florida Charter School Facts 2024-25

Charter schools have been a vital part of Florida’s K12 system of public education since 1996. Click here for facts about Florida’s charter schools.

Charter Applicant Resources & Support

Florida Department of Education
Resources from the Florida Department of Education — including model application, applicant history worksheet, and more are available here.

Florida Charter Institute
Funded by state and federal funds to expand quality school choices, the Florida Charter Institute support team (formerly Charter Support Unit) offers a variety of useful resources and customized advice to charter leaders and governing boards. Resources include New Charter Application Training, Launch Year Training & Collaboration Sessions, Operator Training, and more. Click here to learn more

Carvelli & Associates
Carvelli and Associates can assist with new charter school applications and budget development. Click here for more details and contact information.

Collaborative Education Network
Collaborative Education Network provides a variety of services, including developing charter applications, assisting with planning and implementation to open a new school, Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant writing, creating policies and procedures with governing boards, and more. Click here for more details and contact information.

Charter School Authorizers & Charter School Application Process

A public charter school may be created when an individual, a group of parents or teachers, a municipality, or a legal entity applies to the authorizer to open a charter school.The application process includes submitting a letter of intent to apply to the District’s charter school office or alternate authorizer. Note: All applications and all communications regarding applications are public records in the State of Florida.

Charter School Review Commission
The Charter School Review Commission (FS 1002.3301) may approve a charter school application. However, the school board in the district where the charter school would be located is required to serve as the sponsor of the school. The commission may take applications in multiple counties from an in-state or out-of-state operator. Learn about this option here.

Florida Charter Institute

The Florida Department of Education approved Miami Dade College’s Florida Charter Institute (FCI) as a charter school authorizer, focusing on sponsoring schools in Miami-Dade County. Click here for details.

School boards, state colleges, and universities as Authorizer
School boards, state colleges, and universities can act as “sponsors” of charter schools — meaning they can authorize the schools to operate. Sponsors also have the duty of monitoring and reviewing a charter school’s performance, revenues, and expenditures.

Tallahassee State College
Tallahassee Community College (TCC) is the first college in Florida to be approved as a charter school authorizer by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). TCC also established Tallahassee Collegiate Academy (TCA), a tuition-free charter high school on its campus

Florida Model Charter School Application, Contract, and Renewal Forms

Model Forms Rule, SBE 6A-6.0786 provides the required model application format for potential charter school developers, an evaluation instrument for sponsors, and a model charter contract format. Click here to access forms and rules.

Charter School Funding

Like district-run public schools, charter schools are funded based on enrollment and receive funding — based on the number of full-time students enrolled — from the state through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). Charter schools may also qualify for capital outlay funding from the state and federal start-up grant dollars (through the Charter School Program, a competitive grant process) to secure a facility and begin operations.

Charter School Program (CSP) Grant/start-up grant

The Federal Charter Schools Program Grant (CSP) allows Florida to drive system-wide improvements to one of the most significant charter school landscapes of any state. Each year, the Florida Department of Education administers the CSP Planning and Implementation grant through a request for proposals (RFP) process. The purpose of this grant is to provide financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of high-quality charter schools and expand the number of high-quality charter schools in Florida. Learn more about the CSP here.

What is a School of Hope?

A charter school operated by a hope operator that serves students from one or more persistently low-performing schools; is located in the attendance zone of a persistently low-performing school or within a 5-mile radius of such school, whichever is greater; and is a Title I eligible school. A hope operator is a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status, s. 501(c)(3), that operates three or more charter schools that serve students in grades K-12 in Florida or other states with a record of serving students from low-income families and is designated by the State Board of Education as a hope operator based on a variety of criteria. Hope operators may secure assistance via the Revolving Loan Program to meet building construction needs and startup expenses. Click here for details.

What is a Virtual Charter School?

In 2011, legislation was passed permitting the operation of virtual charter schools to provide full-time online instruction to eligible students. A virtual charter school must contract with an approved provider of virtual instruction services as outlined in s. 1002.45, F.S.

What is a Conversion Charter School?

Conversion charter schools are district-managed public schools that have been converted to charter schools. Conversion charter schools are not eligible for charter school capital outlay if operated in a facilities provided by the school district. Conversion Charter Ballot Process. The application for a conversion may be made by a parent, teacher, principal, district school board, or school advisory council and must be approved by a majority of the teachers and parents. The charter for a conversion charter school must identify the alternative arrangements that will be put in place to serve current students who choose not to attend the school after it is converted. SBE 6A-6.0787 establishes a procedure by which parents and teachers of public schools may vote to apply for conversion to charter status.

Monthly Financial Statement and Financial Condition

Rule SBE 6A-1.0081 establishes requirements related to the monthly financial statement that a charter school must complete and submit to its sponsor.The rule also establishes procedures for developing financial recovery and corrective action plans and determining a deteriorating financial condition. Click here for details

Authorizer Report

The report from FLDOE breaks down the number of new charter school applications submitted to school districts throughout Florida during 2022-23, as well as the decisions on each application submitted – whether the applications were approved, denied, or withdrawn by the applicant. Access the report here.