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Partners screens all applicants carefully to determine their potential for developing and leading charter schools of excellence. Entrepreneurs of existing charter schools should provide evidence of early success in their application materials.

The team pays close attention to the overall quality and content of the materials submitted. Applicants who successfully make it through the initial review should expect to go through a rigorous, multi-stage due diligence process that includes:

  • An initial conference call;
  • In-person meetings with the CEO/Executive Director, leadership team, board members, parents, and community partners;
  • An in-depth examination of the charter school’s organization documents and charter petition, plan, operations, and finances;
  • A site visit with in-person meetings with the CEO/Executive Director, leadership team, board members, teachers, and students, if applicable;
  • Development of milestones (key goals) and an assessment of the entrepreneur's technical assistance needs;
  • Background, credit, and reference checks; and
  • Final approval by Partners’ Board of Directors.

Applicants who proceed through the various stages of Partners’ due diligence process are not preapproved. The management team will terminate the due diligence process at any stage during which new information suggests that the applicant organization may not be a good investment for Partners.

What do we look for?

  • The mission, vision, and impact, and the specific outcomes the leadership team is trying to achieve for underserved students.
  • A clear sense of purpose and high probability of having a significant educational impact on the students served.
  • The executive leadership team and whether it is strong, committed, and capable of building and maintaining a high-performing, sustainable charter school or charter school network for underserved, minority students.
  • Leadership and staff that have a relentless focus on providing high-quality educational options and achieving results for underserved students, and are willing to be held accountable.
  • The school’s financial and operational stability and an explicit plan to achieve financial sustainability.
  • Respect and standing in the community and productive partnerships with other organizations.

Accounting for the time needed to conduct due diligence, Partners will notify applicants of its decision as soon as possible and will attempt to have a final investment decision within nine months. If awarded an investment, funded charter schools and networks are required as part of the Investment Agreement to provide academic, financial, and operations data to Partners throughout their investment relationship.