Charter School Program (CSP) Grant

New Schools for Alabama administers the Charter School Program (CSP) Grant Competition to support the launch of new, high-quality charter schools in Alabama.

Funding Source: Funded by a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to New Schools for Alabama to support the growth of fifteen (15) new, high-quality charter schools over five years.

Award Structure:

• Amount: Three-year grants ranging from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 per school
• Recipients selected in cycles (2020, 2021, 2022 cycles documented)

Geographic Scope: Alabama

Focus Areas:

• New charter school startups
• Schools serving 60% or greater economically disadvantaged populations
• Diverse academic models including:
  • STEM-focused schools
  • Competency-based learning schools
  • Project-based learning schools
  • Schools focused on social-emotional health
  • Career/technical schools (e.g., aviation)

Eligibility:

• Aspiring charter school founders and organizations
• Schools planning to launch in Alabama
• Non-recipients remain eligible to apply in subsequent cycles until the school opens

Application Timeline: Applications released annually; next cycle typically announced in fall

Selection Process:

• Phase 1 - Desk Audit Phase: Written application submitted with supporting documentation, evaluated against research-based rubric
• Phase 2 - Interview Phase: Selected applicants present to CSP Selection Committee and respond to questions
• Committee: Four individuals with substantial relevant experience

Contact Information:

• Phone: 205-549-3214
• Email: candie@newschoolsforalabama.org

Organization Background: New Schools for Alabama is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public charity organization created to serve kids in Alabama. The organization supports the growth of excellent public charter schools, recruits high-caliber leaders to establish new schools in underserved communities, and fosters a policy environment that supports charter school growth.

Application Process

Two-Phase Process:

1. Phase 1: Desk Audit Phase
   • Submit written application with supporting documentation
   • Application evaluated against research-based rubric
2. Phase 2: Interview Phase
   • Selected applicants invited to present application to CSP Selection Committee
   • Respond to committee questions
   • Committee composed of four individuals with substantial relevant experience

Required Materials:

• Written application (format and specific requirements not detailed in provided content)
• Supporting documentation

Application Submission:

• Electronic submission platform (specific URL not provided in content)
• Check website for submission portal details

Timeline:

• Applications released annually
• Next cycle planning announced approximately in fall of prior year
• Desk Audit Phase review conducted
• Interview Phase with selected finalists
• Recipients announced following selection process

Notes:

• Non-recipients eligible to reapply in subsequent cycles
• Application requirements and submission platform details available at newschoolsforalabama.org