Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT DOES MCPSC DO?

 

The Missouri Charter Public School Commission was established in 2012 (RSMo 160.425). Lawmakers, charter school advocates and education reformers wanted an independent sponsoring entity with the authority to sponsor high quality charter schools throughout Missouri. Sponsors enter into a contract with a Missouri non-profit organization that demonstrates the ability and capacity to operate a quality independent public school. Sponsors hold these schools accountable for the performance of the school and to the conditions of the contract. Performing schools can have their contract renewed. Poor quality charter schools can be closed.

The Commission consists of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor, with consent of the Senate. Members are selected from a slate of three (3) nominees provided from each of the following: the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, Commissioner of Higher Education, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Missouri School Boards Association. Four members are appointed by the Governor. No more than five members can be of the same political party and no more than two members can come from the same US Congressional District. Members serve a four year term.

HOW DO I START A SCHOOL?

We are excited that you are thinking about starting a charter public school! The Missouri Charter Public School Commission is the only sole-purpose, statewide sponsor of charter schools in Missouri and we are here to help you take your application through the State approval process. We’re also here to make sure that you are meeting your obligations to the students, parents, communities and tax payers you serve.

How do you start? You start by asking yourself these three questions:

  1. What will the children who attend this school experience different than if they attended another school?
  2. What are the key skills, talents and knowledge of the people who lead, teach and govern this school?
  3. What supports and resources can I access to help me get this school designed, a strong application written and approved, and the school open and successful?

If these are new questions or they made you stop and think – fantastic! We’re glad you reached out to us early in your process. You may find it best to contact the Missouri Charter Public School Association next to learn about their Charter Start program to assist you with your application.  

The Starting a School section of our website will provide you with essential information on charter schools and our role as the sponsor. You will find the necessary forms and information to get you started. Make sure you complete and submit your Letter of Intent as soon as possible. 

You are welcome to contact us and arrange for a call to discuss the charter school process.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR RENEWAL?

The best time to think about renewing your charter is the day your application is approved by the State Board of Education. The Commission will assist you in staying on top of changes to your charter, charting your successes and addressing gaps in performance. Innovative school models need to gather important data that will track the impact of the model. These data help families and educators make decisions about joining your school. They inform your governing boards decisions and they compel your sponsor and the State Board of Education to renew or revoke your charter.   Districts and charter schools will benefit from learning about your best and promising practices that are helping students learn, expanding instructional skills, finding new and effective ways to engage parents and the community, developing successful school leaders.  

 

MCPSC RENEWAL NARRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Please review policies on renewal.  Renewal documents answer these three important questions:

  • What are the expected outcomes for the next charter term?  (~1page)
  • How will you achieve these outcomes over the next charter term? (~8 pages)
  • How has your school disseminated best and promising practices to other schools?  (~1 page)

 

Our review of renewal documents asks:

  • Does this plan get this to the results you desire?
  • Does the plan serve the student population?
  • Are these outcomes both rigorous and realistic?
  • Are gaps identified annual reports, site visits and SQRs addressed?
  • Does the plan include ways to secure continuation of successes? 
  • Are better, best and promising practices included? 

Additional Requirements to upload to EpiCenter.

  • Performance Contract Goals for next charter term
  • 1 page executive summary of narrative
  • Enrollment for next Charter Term
  • Financials: actual P&L for prior two years, current year's budget, and budget projects aligned to the plan for the first two years of the renewal.  Budgets must include assumtions.
  • MCPSC Renewal Policy and Renewal Application
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A CHARTER?

Missouri is looking for new high quality public schools to serve all children. The Missouri Charter Public School Commission is especially interested in new schools that wish to serve students who do not currently have access to a quality public school where they live. The Commission also gives priority to charter school applicants that propose a school oriented to high-risk students and to the re-entry of dropouts into the school system. 

You can download the Commissions' application review process. The Standards, Policies and Practices section will provide you with information about the work of the Commission. The Materials and Resources section provides you with access to the current application and various contacts who may help you as your complete your application.

Still have questions? We are here for you. Reach out to us at info@mcpsc.mo.gov

Rolling Deadline

MCPSC will accept applications at any time.  The Commission has 90 days to review applications and determine if it will sponsor the proposed school.

Missouri Statutes require charters be granted by the State Board of Education by January 31 (see 160.405 RSMo) in order to open school the following school year. In order to meet this deadline, applications must be received by MCPSC before August 1.

Applications received August 1 or after will be reviewed for opening a year following the next school year, unless otherwise decided by the Commission.

Application

As soon as a group decides to submit an application, they should submit a Letter of Intent to Apply and a Prospectus. This alerts the Commission of your interest and allows us to plan for your submission. The Commission will review your LOI and Prospectus to determine if an applicant is invited to apply.

Letter of Intent to Apply Instructions - On the Letter of Intent to Apply form, an applicant must indicate whether it wants to be considered a "new design" or "existing design" applicant. An existing design applicant is one that is proposing to: a) replicate one or more existing schools, or b) convert a private school to a charter school. Existing design applicants must point to at least one school that is substantially similar overall to what the applicant is proposing. To constitute a replication, the school must go beyond the use of curriculum and structure, and demonstrate how the culture of the school will be substantially similar to the model. The applicant must show that individuals or organizations that have operated similar schools will be deeply involved in the creation of the proposed school.

Determine LEA Status - Applicants must determine if they are seeking to become a Local Education Agency (LEA).  LEAs are the administrative entity responsible for managing and overseeing the provision of education services.  Charter schools may be their own LEA or elect to use the host district as their LEA.  The LEA must report data directly to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Services.  The LEA receive payment for all students in the LEA.  

Invitation to Apply - Those applicants invited to apply to the Commission will be required to submitted through a online process. For your convenience, you can download a copy of the application here. The Commission will only accept applications by invitation and through the online process.

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed by staff and subject experts engaged by MCPSC. Reviewers will use Missouri State Statute, Code of State Regulations, Principals and Standards and the evaluation expectations outlined for each section.

Based on the recommendation of staff and prior to a formal vote to approve sponsorship, MCPSC will hold a public hearing on the proposed charter school. The public hearing will be held in the school district, and if possible, in the community or neighborhood the proposed charter school plans to locate. Applicants will have an opportunity to present their application to the public, media and Commission members. This 15 minute presentation will be followed by open comment session to allow those who attend to provide supportive or opposing comments and to raise questions. This hearing typically last 90 minutes.

After the public hearing and prior to a formal vote to approve the charter school, the Commission will interview applicants and the board members. Commissioners will ask questions concerning the information provided in the application, the capacity of the board and potential staff to govern and lead the school and may pursue questions based on the comments generated at the public hearing. The public and media are invited to attend, but may not participate in the interview.

Commission Sponsorship

The decision to approve or deny a charter application is taken in open session at a public meeting of the Commission and is based on information gathered through the reviews, public comments and the board interview. MCPSC and staff use the “Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing” published by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers as a foundation of its charter school authorizing and sponsorship program.

Applicants denied by the Commission may seek sponsorship through the State Board of Education.

Following approval by the Commission the final application, a charter agreement (that includes a performance contract) and a letter of sponsorship are submitted to the Charter School Office at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Office will review the application and may provide feedback to the Commission and applicant on sections that need to be strengthened to meet Missouri Statutes or Department regulation. A final edited application is provided to the Department and a request for approval is placed on the agenda of the next State Board of Education meeting. The State Board of Education has 60 days from submission to approve or deny an application (if it fails to meet statute or regulation.)

WHAT ARE THE MCPSC'S STANDARDS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES?

STANDARDS

Missouri Charter Public School Commission has adopted the National Association of Charter School Authorizer’s Principles and Standards. The Commission will use these as their guide for sponsorship. (Adopted September 9, 2015.)  Our performance framework, based on these principles and standards can be found here. (Applies to FY24 and after.)

COMMISSION POLICIES

PRACTICES

The Operating Plan for the Missouri Charter Public School Commission provides an overview of its values, principles, application process and procedures.  The Site Visit Protocol (Onsite) and the Site Visit Protocol (Virtual) is used for the initial three years of a charter and School Quality Review Protocol is used for schools transferring to the Commission and for sponsored schools requesting renewal, expansion or replication.  The Commission issues an annual report for each school. The Annual Report template can be found here. The terms, calculations and sources for the data in the annual report can be found here. Our school closure plan can be found here. 

Missouri Charter Public School Commission accepts application on an ongoing basis.

Applications must be approved by the State Board of Education by January 31 in order to open the following school year. Schools planning to open the next school year must have a final application to the Commission by August 1. Applications received after August 1 will be reviewed for opening in the year following the next school year. The Missouri Charter Public School Commission reserves the right to modify this deadline.

Schools wishing to amend their charter to become a local education agency (LEA) must amend their performance contracts pursuant to Policy 3.03, above, in time for the Commission to notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by March 1. LEA status shall become effective July 1 of the same year. DESE will then provide the school with a list of all regulations applicable to LEAs within 30 days. See RSMo 160.405.6.