Starting a Charter School
Establishing high quality charter schools across New York State is a key component for the State Education Department in providing parents and students with high quality educational choices. Charter schools are publicly funded, independently run, and open to all students. Charter schools are governed by not-for-profit boards of trustees that are typically composed of educational experts, business leaders, community members, and parents. To launch and operate a charter school in New York State, the applicant(s) must submit a proposal to an authorized charter entity in New York State and gain approval to operate. The charter authorizing entities are the New York State Board of Regents (BOR), the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), the Trustees State University of New York(SUNY), or any school district within the state.
Our application packet and all pertinent guidance is now posted . You can access the initial application from there.
Please visit this web page frequently for updated announcements and materials. Please direct any questions about the State Education Department’s Charter School application process to emscosigen@mail.nysed.gov .
Useful Links:
Required Public Hearings per Commissioner's Regulation 119.4
Charter Application Technical Assistance Advisory (Revised 3-7-08) 
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