1. RESULTS EXCELLENCE INNOVATION Starting a Successful Charter School
SOUTH CAROLINA
Starting a Successful Charter School
Dana C. Reed, Chief of New Schools and Accountability, SCPCSD
Mary Carmichael, Executive Director, PCSASC

2. Ask Yourself Why am I submitting a charter application?
Why do I want this school to exist?
What will the school do?
What will be the defining features and core beliefs of the school I wish to start?
Who do I need to join me in this pursuit?
How will I know the school is successful?

3. KEY OBSERVATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL CHARTERS
They take the time to plan - one to two years of planning before opening is crucial.
They begin with and sustain a focus on children, accountability, and quality.
They don’t lose sight of their vision.
They create a culture around achievement and have high expectations for all students.
They have sound business and organizational practices.

4. What You Will Need A high capacity and diverse planning committee
A solid mission
A comprehensive educational plan
A comprehensive financial plan
A comprehensive organizational plan

5. What You Will Need To Do
demonstrate you can create a successful start-up and have it ready to open in a short time
articulate not just what you will do but how you will do it
develop a successful academic program and align it to the mission
establish an effective board
establish effective building leadership and a positive culture

6. manage and monitor performance and be accountable
recruit and retain students
acquire suitable facilities and acquire/allocate resources
manage a budget
attract and manage talent
manage external relationships
remain focused on the mission

7. And Remember These Guiding Principles
Access & Equity
. High Quality
Stewardship
You are developing a public school-protect the rights of students and parents to equal access and treatment.
Focus on providing a high quality educational option for all students.
Be responsible stewards of public funding-
you will be given
public dollars to
educate the
children of South
Carolina.