Charter School Applications
The charter school new start and replication application processes are governed by T.C.A. §§ 49-13-107 and 49-13-108, State Board Rule 0520-01-14-.01, and State Board Policy 6.111. Applicants and authorizers should be familiar with the requirements and deadlines provided in these laws, rules, and policy.
The application materials posted on this page have been updated for the 2026-27 application cycle. State Board staff will host an application training for charter school sponsors and governing bodies on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:00am Central Time. Interested attendees must register to attend.
Standard Charter School Application Process
Letter of Intent
The first step in creating a new public charter school is to submit a letter of intent to the proposed authorizer and the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission (TPCSC). The letter of intent must be submitted by December 3, in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-13-107.
Application
The next step is the submission of a complete application to the proposed authorizer. T.C.A. § 49-13-107 establishes the deadline for the application as on or before February 1 of the year preceding the year in which the proposed public charter school plans to begin operation.
- Charter School Application – DOC | PDF
- Charter School Application Scoring Rubric – DOC | PDF
- Charter School Application Budget Template – EXCEL
Submission Requirements
Applicants are required to submit an electronic copy of the complete application to the proposed authorizer by the deadline. Authorizers may also require submission of up to five paper copies of the application and may charge an application fee of up to $2,500 for each charter school application. Charter school sponsors should consult with the proposed authorizer to determine if paper copies and/or application fees are required.
Charter School Replication Application Process
Pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-13-137, “A governing body that has at least one (1) public charter school authorized by a local board of education or the commission that has been in operation for at least three (3) full school years may submit a replication application, developed by the state board of education, to a local board of education through the application process outlined in §§ 49-13-107 and 49-13-108.” If a governing body has at least one (1) public charter school authorized by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission (Commission) that has been in operation for at least three (3) full school years, the governing body may apply for replication in the LEA in which the governing body is currently operating as a Commission-authorized public charter school directly to the Commission.
Replication Letter of Intent
The first step in replicating an existing public charter school in Tennessee is to submit a letter of intent to the proposed authorizer and the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission (TPCSC). The letter of intent must be submitted by December 3, in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-13-107.
Replication Application
The next step is the submission of a complete replication application to the proposed authorizer. T.C.A. § 49-13-107 establishes the deadline for the application as on or before February 1 of the year preceding the year in which the proposed public charter school replication plans to begin operation.
- Replication Application – DOC | PDF
- Replication Application Scoring Rubric – DOC | PDF
- Replication Application Budget Template – EXCEL
Submission Requirements
Applicants are required to submit an electronic copy of the complete replication application to the proposed authorizer by the deadline. Authorizers may also require submission of up to five paper copies of the application and may charge an application fee of up to $2,500 for each charter school application. The charter school governing body should consult with the proposed authorizer to determine if paper copies and/or application fees are required.
With questions about the charter school application process, please email State Board staff at charter.applications@tn.gov.