Technical Assistance Offerings

Great Schools Colorado is committed to supporting the growth, quality, and sustainability of charter schools across the state. As part of this commitment, we offer targeted technical assistance designed to equip school leaders, boards, and operators with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.

Our technical assistance offerings are grounded in best practices, real-world experience, and a deep understanding of Colorado’s charter landscape. Whether you're launching a new school or strengthening an existing one, these programs provide meaningful, actionable support.

Finance Community of Practice

Presented by Afton Partners   |   January–June 2027 

Strong financial leadership goes beyond managing budgets. It means understanding your school's financial health, making informed strategic decisions and working effectively with your governing board to plan for long-term sustainability. The League's Finance Community of Practice, facilitated by Afton Partners, helps charter school leaders build the knowledge and confidence to navigate these responsibilities.

Building on Afton's Five Foundations of School Financial Health, this program combines six virtual learning sessions with peer collaboration and individualized coaching. Participants will strengthen their ability to interpret financial information, improve financial operations, plan for sustainability and engage their boards in financial oversight and decision-making. Content and coaching will be tailored to the experience and priorities of participating schools, with practical tools and strategies they can apply to their own financial challenges.

Space is limited to 10 schools, with priority given to Great Schools Colorado subgrantees.

Procurement Coaching

Presented by BuyQ   |   January–June 2027

Smarter Purchasing. Stronger School Operations.

Effective purchasing practices can help charter schools reduce risk, improve efficiency and make better use of limited resources. The League's Procurement Coaching program, delivered by BuyQ, provides individualized support to help schools assess their current purchasing practices, strengthen internal controls and vendor management, and identify opportunities for more efficient, sustainable operations.

Building on a successful FY26 pilot, this program offers one-on-one coaching tailored to each school's size, experience and priorities. BuyQ will work with participating schools to identify procurement risks and gaps, develop school-specific recommendations and provide practical tools and guidance to strengthen purchasing systems and decision-making. Each school will receive a customized roadmap to help prioritize improvements and determine next steps.

Only four schools will be selected, with priority given to Great Schools Colorado subgrantees.

Startup Coaching: Year 0

Presented by LeadJoy   |   January–September 2027

Build a Strong Foundation for a Successful School Opening

Opening a new charter school requires careful financial planning, strong operational systems and the ability to navigate competing priorities. The League's Startup Coaching program, delivered by LeadJoy Education Solutions, provides individualized finance and operations support to help charter schools preparing to open in fall 2027 strengthen their readiness and address critical challenges before opening day.

Through hands-on coaching tailored to each school's leadership capacity, existing resources and timeline, participants will receive guidance on budgeting, cash flow management, financial systems and operational planning. LeadJoy will work closely with school leaders to identify their most pressing startup risks, prioritize implementation needs and develop practical strategies to address barriers to opening. The goal is to help each school build the financial and operational foundation needed for a successful launch.

Only three schools will be selected, with priority given to Great Schools Colorado subgrantees.

Colorado Operations Leader Fellowship

Presented by SchoolOps | January–June 2027

Strengthen Your Leadership. Elevate Your School's Operations.

Strong school operations require more than managing daily tasks. They demand effective systems, thoughtful leadership and the ability to turn priorities into action. The League's Colorado Operations Leader Fellowship, delivered by SchoolOps, helps charter school operations leaders strengthen their skills, build confidence and tackle real-world operational challenges through applied professional learning and individualized coaching.

Building on the FY26 Fellowship, this program combines in-person and virtual learning with personalized coaching tailored to the needs of participating leaders. Fellows will develop skills in time and task management, operational systems and project management, collaboration and leadership presence. Each Fellow will also plan and present a school-specific Capstone project addressing a meaningful operational priority, putting their learning into practice to support improvements at their school.
Space is limited to eight Fellows, with priority given to Great Schools Colorado subgrantees.

VISTA: Leadership Accelerator for Charter School Leaders

Vision, Instruction, Strategy, Talent, Achievement   |   2026–2027 Cohort 

Build the leadership systems that drive student success.

VISTA is a high-impact, cohort-based leadership accelerator designed for charter school leaders ready to strengthen instruction, align strategy, and lead lasting school improvement. Through professional development, targeted coaching, strategic planning, and peer collaboration, the program builds leadership capacity for current, founding, and new school leaders. 

Registration for the 2026–27 cohort is closed.

Foundations of Charter School Leadership & Administration

Support for Rising, Founding & Current School Leaders   |   September 2026–April 2027

The Foundations of Charter Leadership and Administration is a charter-specific professional development and induction program designed to support rising leaders, founding leaders, and current school leaders—particularly those participating in Colorado’s Principal & Administrator Induction Program. The program equips leaders with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to successfully launch, lead, and sustain high-quality charter schools.

Through targeted training, individualized coaching, and a strong charter-focused leadership network, participants build capacity to navigate the unique demands of the charter sector at every stage of leadership—from aspiring and first-year leaders to experienced principals refining their practice.

In partnership with Colorado’s Charter School Institute, this program meets the requirements of the Colorado Department of Education’s Principal & Administrator Induction Program and is aligned to the Colorado Principal and Administrator Quality Standards. It combines professional learning workshops, mentoring support, and a structured goal-setting and reflection process to meet statewide induction criteria. Learn more here.

Registration for the 2026–27 cohort is closed.