Charter School Authorization

Proposed charter applications will be reviewed at a regularly scheduled State Board of Education meeting twice per year, January and June or the next meeting with a quorum.

Persons or entities eligible to submit an application to establish a public charter school include:

(a) A nonprofit organization including, but not limited to, a college, university, museum, service club, or similar entity
(b) A group of 2 or more NH certified teachers
(c) A group of 10 or more parents

There are two forms of charter school authorization in New Hampshire:

1. Local Authorization
2. State Board Authorization

Local Authorization

An existing school district that directly supports the establishment of the charter school:

Locally authorized charter schools receive approval to open from the local legislative body (voters or city council).

• Proposed applications (for application requirements, please see RSA 194-B:3, II) to establish a charter school are submitted to the prospective school board where the school intends to be located. Please review the New Hampshire Administrative Rules for Education, PART Ed 318 Chartered Public Schools. Upon review, the local school board grants or denies the proposed application.
• The proposed application is then forwarded, by the local school board, to the New Hampshire State Board of Education for authorization to establish a charter school.
• Upon receiving charter authorization from the State Board of Education, the school board submits a warrant article to the school district legislative body for ratification or denial to fund the school.
• Funding is received directly from the school district. The amount of funding is determined by an agreed upon contract between the charter school and the local school board.

State Board Authorization

• Proposed applications to establish a charter school are submitted directly to the New Hampshire Department of Education. Please see the process for charter school authorization below.
• Authorization to establish a charter school is given by the State Board of Education.

Step1 - Process for Charter School Authorization

• Become familiar with New Hampshire Charter School law, Chapter 194-B, Chartered Public Schools, New Hampshire Administrative Rules for Education, PART Ed 318 Chartered Public Schools and information located under Helpful Resources
• Develop a proposed charter school application. The Charter School Application Guidelines will assist the applicant.
• Applications must be consistent with the alpha numbering and give a detailed description of the required components outlined in the guidelines. The application guidelines refer to RSA 194-B:3, II.
• To view previously approved charter applications, please scroll down the page.

Requirements for Submitting an Application

• An applicant seeking state board approval for a charter school submits a letter of intent to submit a proposed charter school application.
• An applicant submits an application consisting of an original, three (3) paper copies and an electronic copy to the Department for review.
• List of Requirements for Submitting an Application under Ed 318.08
• Application format: table of contents, one-inch margins, at least 11-point font and all pages must be numbered
• Applications should not exceed 50 pages (not including appendices, i.e., letters of support, proposed five-year budget). Letters of support are strongly encouraged.
• Please include an application cover sheet

Charter School Application Review for State Board Approval

Ed 318.08 (k) and Ed 318.09

• Within 10 business days of the initial filing, the Department will acknowledge receipt of application and notify the applicant of any missing information, and when the application is complete. Ed 318.08 (k)
• The application shall be reviewed, for state board approval, within 60 days after receipt of a completed application.
• A legal consultant, designated by the charter school office, shall review the application to ensure compliance with New Hampshire's Chapter 194-B, Chartered Public Schools and Administrative Rules for Education, PART Ed 318 Chartered Public Schools.
• A committee of peers shall also evaluate the application, to determine the quality, using the criteria outlined in the evaluation scoring guide. The Summary of Charter School Criteria shall also be used as a guide.
• For Peer Reviewer use only: Peer Reviewer Conflict of Interest form.
• As part of the review process, the applicant shall be provided with written comments, including suggested amendments or modifications, if the Department determines that amendments or modifications are needed.
• The applicant shall provide a written response to the legal consultant's review.
• The Department will inform the applicant in writing when they shall meet with the Commissioner of Education concerning the application to establish a charter school.