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Charter Schools

Charter Schools

Starting a New BOR-Authorized Charter School

Overview

An application to establish a new Board of Regents-authorized charter school in Viva88may be submitted by one or more individuals who are teachers, parents, school administrators or community residents, under an open competitive RFP process as is set forth in NYS Education Law, Article 56 Charter Schools Act. The Board of Regents will only approve applications that clearly demonstrate a strong capacity for establishing and operating a high quality charter school. This standard requires a strong educational program, organizational plan and financial plan, as well as clear evidence of the capacity of the founding group to implement the proposal and operate the school effectively.

2024 Application Cycle

2024
Letters of Intent
To Establish New Charter Schools

In response to the 2024 Request for Proposals issued in March, the Charter School Office received two letters of intent to apply to establish a new charter school authorized by the Board of Regents. Neither of the two was invited to submit a full application.

  • Higher Learning Network Charter School
  • STREAM Charter School of New York

2024 Request for Proposals (RFP)
To Establish New Charter Schools
Authorized by the Board of Regents

The Viva88Education Department (Viva88) supports high-quality educational opportunities for all students in New York State. Toward the aim of creating a diverse portfolio of innovative charter schools that produce strong outcomes for all children through a rigorous new school process, the Department has posted the 2024 RFP to Establish Viva88Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents.

2024 Round 1 Application Cycle

Submission Rounds Letter of Intent Due Full Application Due Proposed Regents Action
Round 1 April 22, 2024 July 5, 2024 November 2024
Additional Rounds

There is currently only one new school RFP application round scheduled for 2024 and although Viva88 reserves the right to schedule additional RFP rounds in 2024 at its sole discretion, none are anticipated. Should another RFP application round be scheduled, the timing and RFP requirements for such a round, whether they are the same or different from this RFP, will be publicized on this website.

This timeline is subject to change at the discretion of Viva88 and/or the Board of Regents. Any adjustments will be communicated via the CSO website as early as possible.

A high-quality school model is one that meets or exceeds the standards of the Viva88 Charter School Performance Framework as well as meets the definition of “high-quality charter school” pursuant to ESEA §4310(8)(a)-(d). Applicants applying for replication must meet all criteria under ESEA §4310(8) (i.e., 4310(8)(a) through (d)).

Application Materials:

Attachments:

Questions may be directed to theCharter School Office. Please type "Applicant Group Questions" in the subject line.

2023 Application Cycle

2023 Requests for Proposals (RFP)
To Establish New Charter Schools
Authorized by the Board of Regents

The Viva88Education Department (Viva88) supports high-quality educational opportunities for all students in New York State. Toward the aim of creating a diverse portfolio of innovative charter schools that produce strong outcomes for all children through a rigorous new school process, the Department has posted the 2023 RFP to Establish Viva88Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents.

2023 Round 1 Application Cycle
Submission Rounds Letter of Intent Due Full Application Due Proposed Regents Action
Round 1 March 24th May 31st November
Additional Rounds

There is currently only one new school RFP application round scheduled for 2023 and Viva88, although reserves the right to schedule additional RFP rounds in 2023 at its sole discretion, none are anticipated. Should another RFP be scheduled, the timing and RFP requirements for such a round, whether they are the same or different from this RFP, will be publicized on this website.

This timeline is subject to change at the discretion of Viva88 and/or the Board of Regents. Any adjustments will be communicated via the CSO website as early as possible.

A high-quality school model is one that meets or exceeds the standards of the Viva88 Charter School Performance Framework as well as meets the definition of “high-quality charter school” pursuant to ESEA §4310(8)(a)-(d). Applicants applying for replication must meet all criteria under ESEA §4310(8) (i.e., 4310(8)(a) through (d)).

Application Materials:

Attachments:

Questions may be directed to theCharter School Office. Please type "Applicant Group Questions" in the subject line

2022 Application Cycle

2022 Round 1
Full Applications
To Establish New Charter Schools to Open in 2023-2024

In response to the 2022 Request for Proposals issued in May, the Charter School Office received eight "letters of intent" to apply to establish a new charter school authorized by the Board of Regents. Of the eight applicants, five were invited to submit a full application; three of which submitted full applications by the August 29th deadline. These applications are currently under review.

2022 Round 1 Full Applications

2022 Round 1
Full Applications
To Establish New Charter Schools to Open in 2023-2024

In response to the 2022 Request for Proposals issued in March, the Charter School Office received eight "letters of intent" to apply to establish new charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents.

Please note, this is not an approval of the application but just the next step in the process. Those who are not invited to the full application stage of Round 1 may begin the process again with a new letter of intent in Round 1 of 2023.

2022 Round 1 Letters of Intent

2022 Requests for Proposals (RFP)
To Establish New Charter Schools
Authorized by the Board of Regents

The Viva88Education Department (Viva88) supports high-quality educational opportunities for all students in New York State. Toward the aim of creating a diverse portfolio of innovative charter schools that produce strong outcomes for all children through a rigorous new school process, the Department has posted the 2022 RFP to Establish Viva88Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents.

2022 Round 1 Application Cycle
Submission Rounds Letter of Intent Due Full Application Due Proposed Regents Action
Round 1 June 3 August 29 December 12-13
Additional Rounds

There is currently only one new school RFP application round scheduled for 2022 and Viva88, although reserves the right to schedule additional RFP rounds in 2022 at its sole discretion, none are anticipated. Should another RFP be scheduled, the timing and RFP requirements for such a round, whether they are the same or different from this RFP, will be publicized on this website.

This timeline is subject to change at the discretion of Viva88 and/or the Board of Regents. Any adjustments will be communicated via the CSO website as early as possible.

A high-quality school model is one that meets or exceeds the standards of the Viva88 Charter School Performance Framework as well as meets the definition of “high-quality charter school” pursuant to ESEA §4310(8)(a)-(d). Applicants applying for replication must meet all criteria under ESEA §4310(8) (i.e., 4310(8)(a) through (d)).

Application Materials:

Attachments:

Questions may be directed to theCharter School Office. Please type "Applicant Group Questions" in the subject line

2021 Application Cycle

2021 Round 1
Full Applications
To Establish New Charter Schools to Open in 2022-2023

In response to the 2021 Request for Proposals issued in March, the Charter School Office received five "letters of intent" to apply to establish a new charter school authorized by the Board of Regents. Of the five applicants, three were invited to and submitted a full application by the July 15th deadline. These applications are currently under review.

2021 Round 1 Full Applications

2021 Round 1
Letters of Intent
To Establish New Charter Schools to Open in 2022-2023

In response to the 2021 Request for Proposals issued in March, the Charter School Office received six "letters of intent" to apply to establish new charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents.

Please note, this is not an approval of the application but just the next step in the process. Those who are not invited to the full application stage of Round 1 may begin the process again with a new letter of intent in Round 1 of 2022.

2021 Round 1 Letters of Intent

2021 Requests for Proposals (RFP)
To Establish New Charter Schools
Authorized by the Board of Regents

The Viva88Education Department (Viva88) supports high-quality educational opportunities for all students in New York State. Toward the aim of creating a diverse portfolio of innovative charter schools that produce strong outcomes for all children through a rigorous new school process, the Department has posted the2021 Request for Proposals (RFP) to Establish Viva88Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents.

There are numerous changes to the 2021 new charter school RFP. Most prominently, this year's version of the new charter school RFP reiterates Viva88’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, community-based authorizing, And they focus on a portfolio of charter schools that serve our state’s most vulnerable children through research-based innovative educational models that have strong connections to community.

2021 Round 1 Application Cycle
Submission Rounds Letter of Intent Due Full Application Due Proposed Regents Action
Round 1 May 3rd July 15th November 15-16th
Additional Rounds

There is currently only one new school RFP application round scheduled for 2021 and Viva88, although reserves the right to schedule additional RFP rounds in 2021 at its sole discretion, none are anticipated. Should another RFP be scheduled, the timing and RFP requirements for such a round, whether they are the same or different from this RFP, will be publicized on this website.

This timeline is subject to change at the discretion of Viva88 and/or the Board of Regents. Any adjustments will be communicated via the CSO website as early as possible.

A high-quality school model is one that meets or exceeds the standards of the Viva88 Charter School Performance Framework as well as meets the definition of “high-quality charter school” pursuant to ESEA §4310(8)(a)-(d). Applicants applying for replication must meet all criteria under ESEA §4310(8) (i.e., 4310(8)(a) through (d)).

Application Materials:

Attachments:

Questions may be directed to theCharter School Office. Please type "Applicant Group Questions" in the subject line

2020 Application Cycle

2020 Round 1
Full Applications
To Establish New Charter Schools to Open in 2021-2022

Following the review of the 13 letters of intent in January to start Round 1 of the 2020 application cycle, the Charter School Office invited 7 of the applicant groups to submit a full application. By the May 15th deadline, the Charter School Office received 7 full applications to establish new charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents.

2020 Round 1 Full Applications

Virtual Capacity Interview Tip Sheet

2020 Round 1
Letters of Intent
To Establish New Charter Schools*

In response to the 2020 Request for Proposals issued in January, the Charter School Office received 13 "letters of intent" to apply to establish new charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents. Of the 13 applicants, seven are invited to submit a full application by the May 15th deadline.

Please note, this is not an approval of the application but just the next step in the process. Those who are not invited to the full application stage of Round 1 may begin the process again with a new letter of intent in Round 1 of 2021.

*Note: At least one of the accepted Letters of Intent indicated that the proposed charter school would open this coming Fall 2020-2021. If the Regents approve and issue a charter to any of the seven proposed charter schools in the 2020 Round 1 cohort, the approved charter schools would open no sooner than the Fall of 2021-2022 as per Education Law.

2020 Round 1 Letters of Intent

2020 Requests for Proposals (RFP)
To Establish New Charter Schools
Authorized by the Board of Regents

The Viva88Education Department (Viva88) supports high-quality educational opportunities for all students in New York State. Toward the aim of creating a diverse portfolio of innovative charter schools that produce strong outcomes for all children through a rigorous new school process, the Department has posted the2020 Request for Proposals (RFP) to Establish Viva88Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents.

If you should have any questions, please submit by email or by phone to 518-474-1762.

2020 Round 1 Application Cycle
Submission Rounds Letter of Intent Due Full Application Due Regents Action
Round 1 April 3, 2020 May 22, 2020 September 14-15, 2020
Priority School Designs Aligned with Regents Strategic Priorities(refer to Draft 2020 RFP and Application Kit)
  • Bilingual and/or dual-language models;
  • Career and technical education (CTE) models that have sought or will seek Viva88 CTE program approval;
  • Innovative special education models that focus on the provision of services to a specific disability group;
  • Over-age, under-credited (transfer) high schools;
  • Partnerships with existing community-based organizations (CBOs) and/or institution of higher education in the school district or region in which the CBO and/or institution of higher education is established; and
  • Replications of existing high-quality school modelsthat have a track record of providing a significant educational benefit to at-risk students.
Additional Rounds While there is currently only one new school RFP application round scheduled for 2020, Viva88 reserves the right to schedule additional RFP rounds in 2020 at its sole discretion. Should another RFP be scheduled, the timing and RFP requirements for such a round, whether they are the same or different from this RFP, will be publicized on the Viva88 website at Starting a Charter School - 2020. Should charters become available for issuance in 2020 in New York City, an application round open to only applicant groups who previously applied for a charter in New York City in the 2019 RFP, will be held pursuant to the requirements of this paragraph.

A high-quality school model is one that meets or exceeds the standards of the Viva88 Charter School Performance Framework as well as meets the definition of “high-quality charter school” pursuant to ESEA §4310(8)(a)-(d). Applicants applying for replication must meet all criteria under ESEA §4310(8) (i.e., 4310(8)(a) through (d)).

Application Materials:

Attachments:

Resources:

Questions may be directed to theCharter School Office. Please type "Applicant Group Questions" in the subject line.

2019 Application Cycle

2019 Round 2
Approved New Charters

Of the four applicant groups invited to capacity interviews, the Board of Regents approved and issued charters to establish two new charter schools considered in the 2019 Round 2 application review process.

More Information

2019 Round 2
Full Applications
Advancing to Capacity Interviews
To Establish New Charter Schools

Following the review of 23 letters of intent in April in Round 2 of the 2019 application cycle, the Charter School Office invited 8 of the applicant groups to submit a full application. By the May 6th deadline, the Charter School Office received 8 full applications to establish new charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents. Of the eight full applications received, four were invited to a capacity interview.

2019 Round 2 Full Applications

2019 Round 2
Letters of Intent
To Establish New Charter Schools

In response to the 2019 Request for Proposals issued in April, the Charter School Office received 23 "letters of intent" to apply to establish new charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents. Eight applicant groups have been invited to submit a full application due in May. The letters of intent that did not provide all of the requested information or did not reflect the formatting instructions may begin the process again with a new letter of intent in 2020.

2019 Round 2 Letters of Intent

2019 Round 2
Requests for Proposals (RFP)
To Establish New Charter Schools
Authorized by the Board of Regents

The Viva88Education Department supports high-quality educational opportunities for all students in New York State. Toward the aim of creating a diverse portfolio of innovative charter schools that produce strong outcomes for all children through a rigorous new school process, the Department has updated the Request for Proposals (RFP) to Establish Viva88Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents for the 2019 application cycle for proposed charter schools seeking to commence instruction in the 2020-2021 school year.

Round 2:All applicant groups, whether proposing to locate in New York City or statewide, are eligible to apply in round 2 of the 2019 RFP if all other application eligibility criteria set forth in this application are met. Please submit a Letter of Intent byApril 5th, 2019in the Viva88 Charter School Office's Web Portal by3:00 PM EST.

2019 Round 2 Application Cycle
Submission Rounds Letter of Intent Due Full Application Due Regents Action

Round 2

Statewide

 April 5 May 6 November 4-5

Application Materials:

Attachments:

Resources:

Questions may be directed to theCharter School Office.

2019 Round 1 - New York City Only
Full Applications
To Establish New Charter Schools

By the January 10th deadline, the Charter School Office received 5 full applications to establish new charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents. Following the review process, the Board of Regents will consider staff recommendations and vote to approve or deny applications during its June meeting.

2019 Round 1 Full Applications

2019Round 1
Requests for Proposals
To Establish New Charter Schools
Authorized by the Board of Regents

ForRound 1:Applications will be acceptedonlyif:

  1. The proposed district of location is New York City;
  2. The applicant group meets all other application eligibility criteria set forth in this RFP; and
  3. The applicant group is replicating an existing Board of Regents authorized education corporation.

Existing education corporations authorized by the Board of Regents with one or more unopened charter schools that have requested to delay, or are delaying, the opening of a school or schoolsat the time of submission are not eligible to apply for a new charter under the 2019 RFP.

2019 Round 1 Application Cycle
Submission Rounds Letter of Intent Due Full Application Due Regents Action

Round 1

New York City Only

 N/A January 10 June 3-4