NC Education Code · Regulation
Title 16 — root / Chapter 06 — 16 NCAC 06G .0508
Plain English summary
This rule establishes the application and review process for charter school applicants in North Carolina. Applicants must submit a completed application online and deliver a nonrefundable $1,000 fee by 5:00 p.m. on the last Friday in April, with late submissions not considered. The State Board of Education evaluates applications based on academic, financial, and governance factors outlined in nine specific criteria.
Key requirements
- Applicants shall complete and submit the charter application at https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/alternative-choices/charter-schools/applications and deliver the nonrefundable one thousand dollar ($1,000) fee to the Office of Charter Schools no later than 5:00 p.m. on the last Friday in April.
- The fee shall be in the form of a certified check or money order payable to NC DPI Office of Charter Schools.
- Applications and fees received after the deadline specified in Paragraph (a) of this Rule will not be considered.
- The Office of Charter Schools shall send written notice to the applicant and signatories of any statement required in G.S. 115C-218.1(a) informing them that the SBE will not consider the application because the applicant did not submit the application or deliver the fee to the Office of Charter School by the deadline.
- When determining whether to award a charter, the SBE shall consider any factors relevant to the applicant's academic, financial, and governance plans for the school.
- The application must reflect the applicant's commitment to the purposes of the charter school law stated in G.S. 115C-218(a).
- The application must describe how the applicant will promote the use of different and innovative teaching methods.
- The application must contain articles of incorporation and by-laws.
- The application must contain a budget that reflects anticipated revenues and costs, including costs associated with maintenance of the school facilities and projected growth.
- The application must contain a plan for acquisition and utilization of a facility consistent with the proposed budget and timeline for opening school.
- The application must describe a five year marketing plan that promotes a diverse student population.
Affected parties
- Charter school applicants
- Office of Charter Schools
- State Board of Education (SBE)
- NC Department of Public Instruction