Charter School Process

So you want to start an Oakland Public Charter School?

Step 1: Ask yourself the following:

• What is our vision?
• Where is the need?
• Who is being served?
• How will we secure funding?

Step 2: Contact the OUSD School Coordinator at (510) 879-2904.

Step 3: Familiarize yourself with critical timelines.

Step 4: Conduct further research of charter school development processes.

• Attend OCT Meetings
• Attend CSDC workshops: www.csus.edu/ier/charter/charter.html
• Research CANEC resources: www.canec.org
• Other resources?

Step 5: Write a Start-up Grant Proposal.

• Contact CDE Charter School office for additional information
www.cde.ca.gov/charter/

Step 6: Begin developing your business plan.

• Click here for "A GUIDE TO CHARTER SCHOOLS IN OAKLAND"

• Contact OCT for a real estate specialist

Step 8: Write your charter proposal.

• Solidify your design team
• Research school models and sample proposals
• Need to provide samples
• Link to samples
• Need to add "things to watch out for"
• Network with community groups, other charter schools, OUSD personnel

Step 9: Submit your charter proposal to the OUSD Board at a regular board meeting.

• Network with key board members and community supporters

Step 10: Present proposal at a public hearing (30 days after the charter proposal is submitted).

• Actively invite parent and community supporters
• Provide student testimonials

A response to your charter proposal will be received within 30 days of the public hearing.

So your charter proposal has been approved! Congratulations!

Step 1: Search for additional funding

• Need to provide desc for revolving loan fund and other useful funding supplements: www.cde.ca.gov/charter/funding/revloan2.html
• Develop a fundraising proposal template

Step 2: Continue to network and remain visible in the community.

Step 3: Being marketing and recruitment process for students, parents, and staff.

Step 4: Familiarize yourself with business operations requirements (or hire a "back office" support provider)

• District, State, and Federal requirements

Step 5: Arrange staff development / orientation.

Step 6: Develop master calendar including student and parent orientations.