May 2025 A-GAME Gala: Award Winners and Gala Photo

The 2025 A-GAME Award Gala was an unforgettable evening of inspiration, connection, and celebration. Held during the A-GAME Convening in Atlanta, the event brought together visionary authorizers and partner organizations who are leading the way in redefining charter school accountability. With a red carpet welcome, elegant atmosphere, and a powerful spirit of gratitude, the gala…

NCSC25 Photo-Booth & Sessions Gallery

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Booth #606, joined us in a session, or simply said hello in the hallway during NCSC25! Whether you joined us at the Board & Authorizer Homeroom, attended one of our panels, or just popped into the photo booth for a moment of fun—we loved connecting with you. We…

Bold by Choice: Takeaways from the 2025 National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC25)

Orlando, FL | June 29 – July 2 When we boarded our flights to Orlando for the National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC25), our team carried more than just luggage. We brought a mission to guide us: Bold by Choice. This mantra sets the tone for everything we do. It reflects how we show up for…

Board & Authorizer Homeroom at NCSC25

Thank you for starting your day with us at the Board and Authorizer Homeroom at NCSC25! It was a pleasure to connect and engage with leaders like you—people who know and care that chartering is more than policy. It’s a promise we are proving together. We hope you gained bold ideas, wise questions, and new…

Authorizers: Proactively Preparing

Dear Authorizers, On April 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond—a case that challenges how courts have interpreted the constitutional boundaries of public education in recent decades. At the center is St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, approved by the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board….

Supreme Court, Charters, and Oklahoma

What’s Happening & Why It Matters Dear Colleagues:  Just about every charter school conversation these days turns to Oklahoma Charter School Board v. Drummond and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond, the two U.S. Supreme Court cases that could affect the future of charter schools everywhere. Robust debate is fundamental to the idea and practice of chartering…

Shatter Barriers – Jim Goenner NACSACon 2024

This presentation highlights some of our partners who are authorizers Changing the Arc of Education through personalizing education. Speakers emphasize the need for flexibility in curriculum to address students’ diverse needs and the necessity of eliminating bureaucratic hurdles to better serve students. Jim Goenner, Ph.D., discusses the transformative power of education and the challenges of…

A-GAME: Self-Reflect (Interview of Lindsey Omlar and Emily Gaskill)

Play Video Learn More about A-GAME More A-GAME Videos Shatter Barriers – Jim Goenner NACSACon 2024 A-GAME: Building Relationship (Interview of Indra Ciccarelli) A-GAME: Measuring Student Quality (Interview of Joseph Escobedo, Ed.D.) A-GAME Convening – February 14, 2024 A-GAME: WestEd’s Indicators of Distress (Interview of Dr. Aimee Evan) A-GAME: Tools for Authorizers (Interview of Erin…

A-GAME: Building Relationship (Interview of Indra Ciccarelli)

Play Video Learn More about A-GAME More A-GAME Videos Shatter Barriers – Jim Goenner NACSACon 2024 A-GAME: Self-Reflect (Interview of Lindsey Omlar and Emily Gaskill) A-GAME: Measuring Student Quality (Interview of Joseph Escobedo, Ed.D.) A-GAME Convening – February 14, 2024 A-GAME: WestEd’s Indicators of Distress (Interview of Dr. Aimee Evan) A-GAME: Tools for Authorizers (Interview…

A-GAME: Measuring Student Quality (Interview of Joseph Escobedo, Ed.D.)

Play Video Learn More about A-GAME More A-GAME Videos Shatter Barriers – Jim Goenner NACSACon 2024 A-GAME: Self-Reflect (Interview of Lindsey Omlar and Emily Gaskill) A-GAME: Building Relationship (Interview of Indra Ciccarelli) A-GAME Convening – February 14, 2024 A-GAME: WestEd’s Indicators of Distress (Interview of Dr. Aimee Evan) A-GAME: Tools for Authorizers (Interview of Erin…

Charter School Superintendent Search

The National Charter Schools Institute is leading the search for the da Vinci Schools which is seeking a Superintendent who has the passion, knowledge, and skills to lead and grow a well-established and yet innovative charter public school in Jackson, Michigan. This school is located on two campuses, one serving primary age students and the…

Strategic Planning in Action

Recorded April 25, 2024 | Governing for Greatness Series

Discover why strategic planning is more than just a document — it’s about actionable strategies that drive lasting change. Learn the importance of diverse voices in the process and how both governing boards and school leaders, both with a wide range of responsibilities, play crucial roles in bringing a vision to life. Don’t miss out on unlocking the true potential of strategic planning!

Supporting a High-Quality Charter Ecosystem

The National Charter Schools Institute is thrilled to join Dr. Bernadine Futrell, Assistant Secretary for Equity and Discretionary Grants and Support Services, and Dr. Anna Hinton, Director Parental Options and Improvement, both from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education. This exciting webinar, in which the Institute, along with its partners…

Want a Safe School? Start with an Authentic School Climate

March 28, 2024 | Governing for Greatness Series Safe schools start with a focus on creating an authentic school climate that puts students first. Join Wendy Larvick, Institute Director of Policy & Partnerships, as she talks with Raihan Akther, Ed.S., Principal, Bridge Academy West, and Chris White, Ed.D., Director of Assessment and Evaluation, Central Michigan…

Build a Better Budget

Recorded February 22, 2024 | Governing for Greatness Series Successful schools have strong boards and great leaders. We believe it is critically important to establish roles and responsibilities between the chief executive and the board. Boards that govern for greatness understand that management’s role in the budget development process is mission critical. Join us for…

Arc Changer Stories: Relationships Matter!

See how Grand Valley State University and ​Flint Cultural Center Academy work together to advance education. Download Resource Watch the Featurette of the Flint Cultural Center Academy

A-GAME Convening – April 3, 2024

Virtual Convening: April 3, 2024 Back to 2024 A-GAME Convenings This A-GAME Convening aims to explore the transformative power of Indicators of Distress (IoD) in shaping sustainable educational practices. Too often, we wait for schools to fail to identify them for improvement strategies. What would happen if schools could identify and address potential concerns before…

A-GAME Convening – February 14, 2024

Virtual Convening: February 14, 2024 Back to 2024 A-GAME Convenings Presentation Deck from February 14, 2024 Download PDF Watch the inaugural session of A-GAME’s season of convening, where we delve into the fascinating origin story of “Indicators of Distress” (IoD). Under the overarching theme, “Refining Quality, Empowering Change for All Students: Transforming Educational Measures, Frameworks,…

The Secret to Student Success is in the Details

Recorded January 25, 2024 | Governing for Greatness Series One could argue that the most important aspect of board governance is ensuring that the students in your school are learning. Everyone wants to ensure that students are actually learning in their school. Join the Institute’s Chief Operating Officer, Mary Bradley, as she talks with Kelli Booth, Executive…

2024 Winter & Spring A-GAME Convenings

A-GAME 2024 Winter & Spring A-GAME Convenings Redefining Quality, Empowering Change: Transforming Education through Disruption, Equity, and Innovation. This year, the A-GAME is focusing on disrupting traditional notions of quality in education to be student-centered, challenging existing frameworks, and advocating for transformation and innovation that benefit all students. We invite you to join us as…