New Schools for Georgia Charter School Incubator – Cohort 1 Application

What is it?
The Incubator is a three-year turnkey charter school development program with a dual focus on building strong, sustainable boards and developing outstanding school leaders. Our goal is to increase the number of high-performing charter school leaders and schools throughout Georgia, by providing fellows with the information, training and support they will need to start, run, and replicate successful charter schools.

Who should apply?
Applicant groups must have at least four committed team members to apply. Priority will be given to candidates focused on serving underserved populations through innovative approaches and academic rigor, and a strong sense of social justice.

What does it cost?
There is no cost for the program, which includes a paid one-year, school-based internship for school leaders. Special grant funding, up to $275,000 per applicant for start-up costs, is available for charter schools planning to open in the Atlanta Public Schools District.

How to Apply
Submit all requested materials by midnight, June 15^th, to incubatorapp@gacharters.org

Incubator Application Materials

1. Resumes should be included for all team members and should include current contact information and relevant experience and should be shorter than two pages in length.
2. Please list three professional references with current contact information for each team member. These references should be able to speak to why you will be successful as Incubator fellows.
3. Student Results. Provide evidence of team members’ success in working with students, particularly underserved students.
4. Responses to the following prompts. Only one response is required for each team. Each response should be no more than 750 words in length.

• Please succinctly describe your school focus, mission and vision: whom do you plan to serve? What instructional methods will you use? What existing school(s) most closely resemble(s) your planned school? What work have you already done developing this school? Why do you feel you would be a good fit for the Incubator program?
• Please describe your school’s culture. How will you ensure that all stakeholders–staff, parents, and students–contribute to, and benefit from, this culture?
• Please describe the qualities needed to be a successful charter school board member, charter school principal, and charter school teacher.
• What will be your greatest challenge in completing the incubator program? How will you meet this challenge?

Application and Selection Process
Please note the following dates. Interviews will be held at Georgia Charter Schools Association offices, 211 Perimeter Center Parkway, Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30346. Phone interviews can be arranged for applicants outside the Metro Atlanta area.

Questions?
Please send any questions about the application process and/or the Incubator program to Allen Mueller at amueller@gacharters.org, or call Allen at 404-835-8900.