Telling your school’s story

Every school has a story to tell — but the way you share it determines whether families simply gather facts or truly feel connected.

This month, we’re focusing on how effective storytelling can strengthen your brand, build trust, and inspire families, staff, and communities to see themselves in your mission. From shaping your digital front office to crafting social media with purpose, we’ll highlight tools and examples to help your school’s narrative shine.

Stick with us as we share strategies to refine your message, celebrate the voices within your community, and spotlight how local CONNECT members like Alycia Campbell are bringing authenticity and heart to their work.

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Insights

🥪 Sept. 11 CONNECT Lunch & Learn [recording, slides + resources]
Thank you to everyone who joined our first Lunch & Learn with Jerry Gallagher, Partner at the Donovan Group. Jerry shared strategies for building trust through transparency and highlighted how intentional, consistent communication can shape positive perceptions both inside and outside of schools. Access the session recording, slides, and bonus resources any time.

💻 Your Website Is a Front Office – What Families Think in the First 5 Seconds
Your school’s website is its digital front office—families form instant impressions based on design, clarity, and ease of use. A modern, user-friendly site builds trust, boosts enrollment, and saves staff time by answering key questions upfront.

📲 Social Media Without a Strategy is Forgettable Social Media
Social media without a strategy quickly becomes forgettable and inconsistent. With a clear plan, you can create purposeful content, engage the right audience, and build a brand that stands out in a crowded online space.

⁉️ The One Question Every Parent Is Really Asking
Families don’t just want information about your school, they want to imagine their child thriving there. When your messaging speaks directly to parents’ hopes and needs, it builds trust and helps them say, “Yes, this is the place for us.”

🚀 How to Engage Elected Officials
Engaging elected officials helps charter schools build support and lasting partnerships. By aligning with state priorities, showcasing student success, and inviting leaders into your schools, you can strengthen advocacy and elevate your impact.

🌟 How to Stop ChatGPT from Making Your School Sound Generic
AI can save schools time and boost marketing output, but without a clear story foundation your message will sound like everyone else. Defining your unique promise and narrative ensures AI helps you stand out and connect with families authentically.

🔌 Social Media Doesn’t Have To Be So Overwhelming
Start with the tools and stories you already have, lean on others for help, and focus on sharing the real personality of your school because posted is better than perfect and unpublished. 

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Opportunities

🚀 Nominate a Student Leader for Charter Champions
Nominate a charter high school student for the 2025–26 Charter Champions program, a four-month advocacy training that builds leadership, public speaking, and civic engagement skills.

⛹️‍♀️ Recognize a Positive Athlete at your School
Positive Athlete is accepting nominations for students in grades 9–12 who exemplify leadership, character, and community impact, with all nominees gaining free lifelong resources and scholarship opportunities.

🍎 Daniels Scholarship Opportunity
The Daniels Scholarship Program is accepting applications through October 17, 2025, offering over 200 students annually up to $25,000 per year toward college, including full rides at partner schools in CO, NM, UT, and WY.

👩‍🏫 Governor’s Colorado Civic Educator of the Year
Nominations are open through October 10 for the Governor’s Colorado Civic Educator of the Year Award, honoring an outstanding K–12 teacher with a $1,000 prize and recognition at the November 4 Civics for Colorado event.

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Save the dates

🗓️ Leadership Summit 2025
October 10, 2025   |   12:00 - 5:30 PM   |   The Ritz Carlton, Denver
CONNECT with us at the Leadership Summit! Enjoy lunch, a panel, workshops, and a happy hour—and don’t forget to use code CONNECTatLS25 for your free ticket.

🔗 CONNECT Lunch & Learn: Partnering for Student Success
November 13, 2025   |   12:00 - 1:00 PM   |   Virtual
Boost student success by teaming with families and your community! Join Dr. Jes Stroope, District and Community Supports Manager at CDE, to explore Family-School-Community Partnering (FSCP) and walk away with practical strategies to welcome families, strengthen communication, and build a culture of true collaboration.

⭐ Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference
Feb. 26-27   |   Denver Marriott Tech Center
CONNECT, learn, and grow with us at the 2026 Annual Colorado Charter Schools Conference. There will be inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops (RFPs now open!), and powerful networking opportunities.

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Kudos

Liberty Common School: Connecting Families through Story and Growth
Liberty Common School’s new website showcases how clear, compelling storytelling and modern tools can connect with families and reflect their mission as enrollment and campuses grow.

Colorado Faces High Principal Turnover
A new report finds that 1 in 10 Colorado principals leave their schools each year, with Emily Murphy of Pagosa Peak Open School highlighting the urgent need for stronger support systems for school leaders.

Denver-based DSST charter network to open two more schools in growing eastern part of AuroraHomegrown Denver charter network DSST is expanding its footprint in neighboring Aurora, where a housing boom in the eastern part of the city is creating a need for more schools.

How a Small Colorado School Embraced ASL for one Student, Enriching All
Alta Vista Charter School, a K-6 institution nestled in the rural southeastern Colorado town of Lamar, serves a close-knit community of just 131 students. 

Innovation in Action: How CSI Schools are Redefining What’s Possible
CSI has released Stories of Impact and Innovation, highlighting how schools are addressing access gaps, rethinking instruction, and elevating school culture across the 2024–25 school year.

Merit Academy Launches Hands-On Tiny Home Construction Program
Merit Academy in Woodland Park is launching a Tiny Home construction program through a partnership with The Seed & Bean, Careers in Construction Colorado, and the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs.

From Advocate to Intern: How One Student Discovered Public Policy
What do a charter school advocacy day, a state representative, and a governor have in common? They all played a part in helping one recent graduate from The Academy discover her passion.

Brain breaks and fairy wings: Why an all-girls model works so well for this Denver middle school
A throng of seventh graders huddled on the dirt path surrounding their school’s athletic field. They were about to run a timed mile, and they were buzzing with excitement.

Charter School AP wins 2024-25 Milken Educator Award
The State Board of Education honored Chris Reynolds, Assistant Principal and AP Microeconomics teacher at Liberty Common High School, for receiving the prestigious Milken Educator Award.

Aurora mayor recognizes achievements of Lotus School for Excellence
Not every school gets a visit from its city's mayor on its first day of school, but the Lotus School for Excellence in Aurora did on Tuesday.

USNWR 2025 High School Rankings Release
Charter schools are leading the way in Colorado—claiming six of the state’s top 10 spots in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best High Schools” rankings.

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Meet the group

Alycia Campbell is Talent Acquisition Manager at Vanguard Classical School and a champion for creating equitable and inclusive educational environments. As a dedicated mom of four students in Aurora Public Schools, Alycia brings both a professional and personal perspective to her work. She believes in nurturing the “whole child” — supporting not just academics, but the full development of every student — so that all kids have the chance to thrive. Her passion for building diverse, talented teams stems from this same commitment: ensuring that every child is supported by the strongest educators possible.

What's on her desk? 
Alycia’s day-to-day isn’t without personality either — she changes her pen color depending on her mood, and she never skips the lip gloss of the day. (Because, let’s be honest, some days just call for bold ink and glossy shine.)

Connect with Alycia in our CONNECT community or on LinkedIn.