Foundations of Charter School Leadership and Administration
Program Overview
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.
Find more information here: Principal & Administrator Induction » Colorado Charter School Institute
Participation Pathways
Designed to meet the leadership training and technical assistance requirements of the Great School Colroado (GSC) grant, this one-year track supports rising, founding, and current charter school leaders as they navigate key stages of school development and leadership. Participants engage in targeted coaching and professional learning aligned with the goals of the GSC initiative.
GSC Subgrantees are required to take all six sessions.
How to register:
Note: Sessions appear to be $1 each. However, at the final basket screen, you will add a code to make them free. After adding a session to your basket, return to the main FOCSLA selection page to add the next session you are interested in. For each item, we suggest adding the session from the main FOCSLA page to your cart.
Once all sessions have been added to your basket, THEN enter code FOCSLA100 at checkout to make the basket free. If you prefer, you may also register for each session individually using the same code.
For help registering, send your desired sessions, your email, name, title, and organization to [email protected], and we will assist you.
Registration closes August 12, 2026 for Subgrantees.
Aligned with CSI’s Principal & Administrator Induction requirements, this one-year program provides eligible charter school leaders with a pathway to validate their initial principal license through a model intentionally tailored to the charter school context.
Participants may fulfill all Principal & Administrator Induction requirements through CLCS programming, including professional learning, coaching, and structured reflection.
Find more information here on how to participate in CSI’s Principal and Induction Program.
How to register:
Once you have been approved through CSI you you may register for the specific sessions you have been approved for (do not register below until you have received that communication).
Note: Sessions appear to be $1 each. However, at the final basket screen, you will add a code to make them free. After adding a session to your basket, return to the main FOCSLA selection page to add the next session you are interested in. For each item, we suggest adding the session from the main FOCSLA page to your cart.
Once all sessions have been added to your basket, THEN enter code FOCSLA100 at checkout to make the basket free. If you prefer, you may also register for each session individually using the same code.
For help email us at [email protected], and we will assist you.
Open to all rising, founding, and current school leaders, this pathway offers flexible access to high-quality, charter-focused professional learning. Participants may engage in sessions as part of their personal professional development, building knowledge and skills in key areas of school leadership.
This option is ideal for leaders seeking to deepen their practice, explore new strategies, or engage in targeted learning without participating in a formal program or induction track.
Registration must be completed a month prior to session date.
How to register:
Note: Sessions appear to be $1 each. However, at the final basket screen, you will add a code to make them free. After adding a session to your basket, return to the main FOCSLA selection page to add the next session you are interested in. For each item, we suggest adding the session from the main FOCSLA page to your cart.
Once all sessions have been added to your basket, THEN enter code FOCSLA100 at checkout to make the basket free. If you prefer, you may also register for each session individually using the same code.
For help email us at [email protected], and we will assist you.
Session Descriptions
Session 1 (Virtual)
Onboarding + Vision and Goals
September 16, 2026 | 9 AM-1:30 PM
This session grounds leaders in the foundational belief that every student can thrive, with a strong emphasis on developing a clear instructional vision. Participants will articulate their school’s vision for teaching and learning, set measurable goals, and explore how aligned systems across academics, culture, staffing, and student support drive equitable and excellent outcomes for all students.
For founding and new leaders, this session supports the development of a coherent school identity rooted in instructional priorities and strong systems design. For current leaders, it offers a reflective space to recalibrate their instructional vision and strengthen alignment across key school functions to better support student achievement.
Session 2 (In-person)
Planning and Prioritizing
October 2, 2026 (Leadership Summit) | 8:30-10 AM
Leaders will learn to create a focused, responsive priority action plan grounded in their school’s mission and informed by data, with a strong emphasis on academic outcomes. The session centers on analyzing student achievement data alongside key culture indicators to identify high-leverage priorities that drive improved teaching and learning. Leaders will explore how to align instructional leadership, school culture, and core systems to support sustained academic growth.
Founding and newer leaders will leave with a clear roadmap to launch their first year, including the key academic and culture data points needed to monitor early progress. Current leaders will strengthen strategic planning practices by using data to refine priorities, adjust implementation, and drive continuous improvement across classrooms, teams, and the broader school community.
Session 3 (Virtual)
Leadership Development/Coaching
November 11, 2026 | 9 AM-1:30 PM
Founding leaders will examine how to build internal leadership capacity through strong instructional coaching systems. This session supports participants in developing coaching structures and practices that strengthen teaching and drive continuous academic improvement.
Founding leaders will establish foundational systems for instructional coaching and support cycles. Current leaders will refine and expand their coaching practices to build leadership capacity across instructional teams.
Session 4 (Virtual)
Budget + Finance
January 27, 2027 | 9 AM- 1:30 PM
Participants will develop a working knowledge of charter school budgeting, financial oversight, and legal compliance. This session explores key fiscal responsibilities and practical tools leaders can use to ensure financial health and regulatory alignment.
Founding and new leaders will build essential financial and legal literacy critical for a successful launch. Current leaders will strengthen practices to enhance long-term sustainability, transparency, and compliance.
Session 5 (In-Person)
Hiring & Recruitment
March 3, 2027 (Annual Conference) | 1-4:30 PM
This session focuses on building a strong school team through effective hiring and recruitment practices. Leaders will explore strategies to attract, select, and onboard mission-aligned staff while strengthening systems that support long-term retention.
For founding and newer leaders, this content supports the launch of a mission-driven team from the start. Current leaders can use these strategies to strengthen talent pipelines, improve hiring decisions, and increase staff retention.
Session 6 (In-person)
Leadership Development
April 28, 2027 (League Office) | 9:30 AM-3 PM
This session focuses on building leadership capacity across teams while preparing for the upcoming school year. Leaders will deepen their instructional leadership by strengthening coaching practices, developing teacher leaders, and creating systems that distribute leadership and sustain improvement. The session also supports participants in reflecting on current-year progress and using academic and culture data to inform annual planning. Leaders will identify priorities, set goals, and outline key actions to drive strong outcomes in the year ahead.
Founding and newer leaders will establish systems to build leadership capacity and plan for a strong launch into the next school year. Current leaders will refine their coaching and leadership structures while using data to inform strategic planning, ensuring alignment across teams and a clear path toward continued academic growth.