Application to Start a New Charter School

The first step in creating a new public charter school is to submit a letter of intent to the department and the potential authorizer, which is the local education agency (LEA) in which the charter school is being proposed. The letter of intent must be submitted at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the date on which the application is due.

On or before 11:59 p.m. CT on February 1 of the year preceding the year in which the proposed public charter school plans to begin operation, the charter school sponsor seeking to establish a public charter school shall prepare and file an electronic copy of the state charter school application with the authorizer and the department.
  1. An application will be considered complete if it includes all the contents outlined in the “Application to Create a Charter School” updated annually and available on this page.
  2. Applicants may be required to submit up to five hard copies, and one electronic copy of the application materials to the authorizer; AND one electronic copy of the complete application to the Tennessee Department of Education, Office of Charter Schools. 
  3. Charter authorizers may charge a charter school application fee of up to $2,500 for each charter school application.
  4. In addition to the state charter application, each local board of education may ask charter school sponsors toaddress additional priorities. If provided, this supplementary guidance has been linked below.

Charter School Application Documents and Resources

Charter Creation Application Components

  • Charter School Creation Application Guidance – PDF
  • Charter School Creation Application Letter of Intent Template – DOC | PDF
  • Charter School Creation Application Requirements – PDF
  • Charter School Creation Application Template – DOC
  • Charter School Creation Application Operating Budget Template – EXCEL
  • Charter School Creation Application Portfolio and Performance Template – EXCEL
  • Charter School Creation Application Authorizer Priorities and Supporting Materials 
  • Charter School Creation Application Evaluation Guidance and Review Tool – DOC | PDF

Application to Transition ASD School to Home LEA

Planning Resources

  • Tennessee Charter School Program
    • Review the Grants page as we post additional information about funding for available for newly authorized Tennessee charter school operators planning and implementation of a new charter school
  • Vacant and Underutilized Facilities Reports
    • Per Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-13-136, an LEA having underutilized or vacant properties shall make the underutilized or vacant properties available for use by charter schools operating in the LEA.
    • FY2024 Reports: