To establish a new charter school in Georgia, a charter school application must be submitted to both the local board of education (LBOE) and the Office of Charter Schools Commission (OCSC). Approval from both entities is required to secure a charter school contract. If your application is approved by both the LBOE and the State Board of Education (SBOE), your school will be classified as a locally-approved charter school.
Visit the Office of Charter Schools Commission (OCSC) for Local Start-up Petition resources and templates for Letter of Intent, Start-Up Petition Application, Budget Template, etc. Please adhere to the OCSC guidance for local start-up petitions.
Steps to Start a New Locally-Approved Charter School
Submit a Letter of Intent
At least six months prior to petition deadline.
Submit a Charter Start-Up Petition
To both the OCSC and your local authorizer(s).
Local Authorizer Reviews Star-Up Petition
The local authorizer(s) will review the start-up petition and conduct panel interviews.
Local Authorizer Takes Action on Start-Up Petition
The local authorizer(s) will decide on the start-up petition after you complete the start-up petition process.
OCSC Reviews Start-Up Petition
If approved locally, submit any additional start-up petition materials to the OCSC, highlighting changes made to the petition based on local district feedback. The OCSC will conduct a review and panel interviews.
OCSC Takes Action on Start-Up Petition
The OCSC will make a recommendation to the State Board of Education.
State Board Votes on OCSC Recommendation
The State Board of Education will vote on the recommendation submitted by the OCSC.
Clayton County Public Schools
Spring 2026 Cycle Charter School Start-Up Petition Timeline
Dr. Chantara Rumph-Carter,
Director of Charter Schools
Dr. Natasha Jefferson,
Coordinator of Charter Schools
email:ccps_charters@clayton.k12.ga.us
Petitioners' Workshop via Zoom. Potential petitioner workshop to learn more about the petition process. (Optional)
CCPS Reviews for Completeness. Only petitions from Governing Boards that filed a letter of intent with CCPS and who meet the January 1, 2026 deadline for petition submissions will be reviewed for completeness.
January 6- 16, 2026
Notice of Completeness: Petitioner will be informed via email of the outcome of the review for completeness. Complete petitions will be evaluated by the review committee.
January 23 ,2026 via email
Founding Board Capacity Interview(s): All Founding Board members are required to attend. Virtual meeting options are available upon request.
February 2- 6, 2026
Initial Memo: Office of Charter Schools issues the Initial Memo via email. The Memo includes feedback and instructions on how to submit the final revised petition.
February 18, 2026
Petitioner submits a written itemized response to the Initial Memo and the revised petition via DropBox by 5:00 PM.
March 19, 2026
CCPS Charter School Committee Recommendation Letter(s) of Approval/Denial Sent to Petitioners
April 3, 2026
CCPS Superintendent recommendation for approval or denial presented and voted upon by Clayton County Board of Education (CCPS BOE).
May/June 2026
Approved Petitions Submitted to Georgia Department of Education for Review and Recommendation to State Board of Education (SBOE) Charter Committee
May/June 2026
Clayton County School District Charter School Agreement Finalized
TBD based on State
Approval
State Board of Education Action
TBD by SBOE
New Approved Start-up Petitions Pre-Opening Period
October 2026-July 2027
New Approved Start-up Petitions Expected Opening
August 2027
Note: Only petitions from Governing Boards that filed a letter of intent with CCPS by November 20, 2025and who meet the January 5, 2026 deadline for petition submissions will be reviewed for completeness.
No exceptions will be made. Be advised that this timeline is based upon the tentative 2026 meeting schedules of the CCPS BOE and SBOE, and is subject to change.
