The Colorado League of Charter Schools is distributing $68 million in federal education funding to help Colorado expand opportunities for students to attend high-quality public charter schools that meet and exceed state academic standards.
The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP), and the funds are distributed through the League’s five-year “Great Schools Colorado” project. The program will award up to 30 subgrants focusing on two objectives:
- Increasing the number of high-quality charter schools and high-quality charter school seats in Colorado with an emphasis on how programs drive academic outcomes for educationally disadvantaged and at-risk students.
- Improving the quality of Colorado’s charter school sector and intensifying its impact on overall school quality and school improvement across the state.
Utilizing a competitive grant process. Great Schools Colorado will award CSP subgrants to charter school developers in Colorado to carry out one of the following activities in the state:
- Open and prepare for the operation of new charter schools;
- Open and prepare for the operation of replicated high-quality charter schools; or
- Expand high-quality charter schools
Join our monthly Great Schools Colorado Cohort:
The next Great Schools Colorado-CSP Prospect Cohort meeting on April 8th will focus on Allowable Use of Funds for the grant. During this session, we will provide an in-depth overview of the guidelines and regulations surrounding the allocation of CSP funds, ensuring charter schools can make the most of their resources while maintaining compliance. Attendees will learn how to strategically use the funds for school development, curriculum enhancement, and operational support, with practical insights on budgeting, reporting, and maximizing impact for student success. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the clarity you need! Visit the Great Schools Colorado-CSP Prospect Cohort meeting page to learn more and register for this and other upcoming meetings.
Items coming in 2025:
- Eligibility
- Application
- Resources & Training
- Special Populations in Colorado Charter Schools User Guide.
- Specialized support for authorizers of schools with unique educational models.
Community Feedback Matters to Us
In collaboration with an authorizer-support organization, CLCS will develop a tool for authorizers to gather community feedback on new school proposals. This feedback will help guide pipeline development, shape innovative school models, and identify areas for additional support.
Additional Links
- The Colorado League of Charter Schools will distribute $68M in federal funding through “Great Schools Colorado,” supporting 30 high-quality charter schools statewide. Read the full press release here.
- Focus areas include expanding schools for at-risk students and improving statewide school quality. Check out the Department of Education Award page.