ANNUAL CALL FOR QUALITY SCHOOLS

We’re partnering with SAISD educators to leverage their skills and past successes to launch high-quality, autonomous schools. When we empower educators with the autonomy to design and run high-quality schools, we will increase the number of best-fit school options that students can access, regardless of their academic abilities or geographic constraints. Due to the complexities and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications for the Annual Call for Quality Schools 3.0 are by invitation only at this time.

ANNUAL CALL FOR QUALITY SCHOOLS

We’re partnering with SAISD educators to leverage their skills and past successes to launch high-quality, autonomous schools. When we empower educators with the autonomy to design and run high-quality schools, we will increase the number of best-fit school options that students can access, regardless of their academic abilities or geographic constraints.

CALLING ALL SAISD EDUCATORS

The SAISD Office of Innovation will request proposals from educators interested in redesigning existing schools, developing new school models, and revising existing in-district charters through the District’s Annual Call for Quality Schools.

VIEW APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Letter of Intent

You must submit a non-binding Letter of Intent using the online form. The Letter of Intent gives the Office of Innovation an opportunity to provide support for applicants.

ACCESS LETTER OF INTENT

Application

After submitting a Letter of Intent, applicants will submit an Application in three parts, each with its own focus.

ACCESS APPLICATION (PDF)

ANNOUNCEMENTS & FAQs

June – August 2020

Annual Call for Quality Schools 3.0 will officially kick off on July 10th, but all new application documents have already been posted in the Resources section. Information on workshops will be published soon.
Please contact jnorman1@saisd.net if you’d like more information on applying to become an in-district charter school – either this year or next.
Letter of Intent is due on August 26, 2020. This document is necessary to begin the process, but it is not binding. You may find the document here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to create or revise an in-district charter through the Annual Call for Quality Schools?

Leadership from existing SAISD neighborhood schools and new SAISD startup schools may apply. For existing schools, there must be an applicant leadership team consisting of three to five people, including the principal and two full-time teachers. For new schools, the team must also be three to five people, including the principal and at least two other people who will be working at the campus full-time. Schools that are currently designated “Improvement Required” are not eligible to apply.

How long does the process take?

Ideally, a school would take one year to engage its school staff and community prior to applying. The official timeline from submission of the letter of intent to board approval of the school’s in-district charter application, is typically 8 to 9 months (from August to March).

Are there additional funds available for this?

New in-district charter applicants may be eligible for federal Charter School Program (CSP) grants, which are one-time grants to support school planning and start up expenses like professional development and technology. (This is not a permanent infusion of school funding.) If a school has received a CSP grant in the past, it will not be eligible for another grant. This is a competitive grant, so the award is not guaranteed. Awards are typically in the range of $800,000 per school over two years.

VIEW FAQ