Charter Process Timeline

• Develop the school’s vision, mission, and educational model.
• Conduct community outreach and needs assessment to determine demand and proposed location.
• Begin forming a founding board and leadership team that can meet USI’s expectations for governance and capacity.

• Prepare and submit a Statement of Intent to the USI Charter Schools Office, outlining the proposed school’s concept, anticipated opening year, grade levels, and organizer.
• The Application Review Team will provide initial guidance on requirements, timelines, and next steps in the application process.

Use USI’s New Charter School Application guidance to build a complete application that addresses:

• School overview and organizer information.
• Governance and founding team qualifications.
• Educational program, curriculum, assessment, and student support plans.
• Enrollment plan, facility approach, and operations.
• Financial model and budget projections.

Organizers may consult with the USI Charter Office on technical questions as they prepare materials.

• In accordance with Indiana Public Law 20-14 and 5-14-1.5-3.3, the USI Charter Office Team will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed charter school application. Guidelines here.
• The Application Review Team issues a written decision to approve or deny the new charter school application.
• If approved, the USI Charter Office Team meets with the school’s governing board to outline pre opening requirements, milestones, and conditions.
• Together, the USI Charter Office Team and the organizer finalize a pre opening plan that addresses facilities, staffing, policies, financial systems, and compliance tasks prior to the first day of school.

• In accordance with Indiana Public Law 20-14 and 5-14-1.5-3.3, the USI Charter Office Team will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed charter school application. Sample Public Hearing Guidelines Here

• The Application Review Team issues a written decision to approve or deny the new charter school application.

• If approved, the USI Charter Office Team meets with the school’s governing board to outline pre opening requirements, milestones, and conditions.

• Together, the USI Charter Office Team and the organizer finalize a pre opening plan that addresses facilities, staffing, policies, financial systems, and compliance tasks prior to the first day of school.

• The school completes remaining pre opening tasks in accordance with USI’s expectations and any conditions of approval.
• The USI Charter Office continues to monitor launch readiness to support a strong opening and alignment with the approved charter.

• School leadership and the governing board review performance data across academics, finance, and organizational compliance.
• The school uses USI’s Charter Office Performance Framework and prior monitoring results to identify strengths, challenges, and areas needing improvement before renewal.

• The school refines and implements improvement plans in identified areas of need, monitoring their impact on student outcomes and operations.
• Staff begin organizing documentation that may supplement USI’s performance record, such as additional assessment data or mission specific goals.

• The USI Charter Office provides renewal guidance aligned with its Performance Framework, including expectations for academic, financial, and organizational performance.
• The USI Charter Office may issue a Renewal Performance Report that summarizes the school’s record under the current charter term.

The school prepares a Renewal Application that addresses:

• Past performance: Academic results, financial health, and organizational effectiveness over the term, including responses to any past findings or corrective actions.
• Plans for the next term: Proposed changes to the educational program, budgets and financial projections, governance and leadership structures, and facilities.

The narrative should clearly connect evidence of performance to the case for renewal.

• The school submits its Renewal Application to USI Charter Office by the deadline, following all format and submission requirements.
• Applications must include both required narrative responses and any requested supporting documentation.

• The Application Review Team reviews the Renewal Application alongside the school’s full performance record, including monitoring reports and the Renewal Performance Report.
• The Application Review Team may request additional documentation, conduct site visits, or hold meetings with school leadership and the governing board to clarify questions.

• The Application Review Team makes a renewal decision and communicates the outcome to the school, including the term length and any renewal conditions as allowed by law and policy.
• If renewed, USI Charter Office and the school finalize any charter amendments and align plans for the next charter term, including any approved programmatic or organizational changes.