Strategic Planning

Aligning the Vision. Advancing the Mission. Accelerating the Impact.

Great schools don’t succeed by chance, they succeed by design. Our Strategic Planning service helps boards and leadership teams chart a bold, achievable path forward rooted in purpose, data, and community needs.

At the National Charter Schools Institute, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all models or static documents that sit on shelves and collect dust. Our strategic planning approach is deeply collaborative, grounded in your mission, and focused on real-world implementation. We serve as trusted facilitators and thought partners—guiding you through a process that builds alignment, strengthens governance, and inspires action. 

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Here’s What Sets Our Approach Apart...

Mission-Driven Focus

We begin by clarifying and reaffirming your vision, mission, and core values—ensuring they are more than statements on paper, but touchstones for decision-making and culture-building. 

Inclusive Engagement

We bring voices to the table—students, staff, families, board members, and community partners—so your plan reflects the perspectives and priorities of those you serve. 

Data-Informed Insights

We help you assess your current state using academic, financial, and operational data, then guide you in setting measurable goals that stretch your potential while staying grounded in reality. 

Facilitated Retreats & Workshops

Our team leads strategic planning sessions that foster open dialogue, creative thinking, and courageous conversations. We help you navigate challenges and set bold, achievable priorities. 

Clear Roadmaps & Accountability Tools

We translate your strategy into a working document with clear objectives, timelines, roles, and success measures—so your team knows what to do, who’s doing it, and how progress will be tracked. 

Ongoing Support

We’re in this together. From plan launch to check-ins and refresh cycles, we provide the support and coaching needed to stay on course and adapt as your context evolves. 

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Why Work With Us...

Experienced Leaders

We know education. Work with passionate professionals, who have walked in your shoes—as authorizers, board members, school leaders, teachers, and even lawmakers.

One-Stop-Shop

We have solutions for all aspects of charter operations—from one-on-one coaching and consulting with seasoned experts, to professional development and training for your team, to robust tools and software systems.

Creative Solutions

Our services, tools and expertise are always growing and evolving. We pride ourselves on thinking outside of the box and challenging the givens, with new and creative solutions that fit your custom needs.

Reliable & Responsive

Our team is trusted nationally for being reliable, respected and dedicated. We are leaders who care about supporting those who are making a difference for students. We are here for you.

Board Resources

Educational Freedom & Stewardship
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E4: Hear from Steven Palmer
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E4: Human First Excellent Always | Overview
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E3: Hear from Dr. Sundai Riggins
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E3: Designed with Students | Overview
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E2: Beyond College Prep | Overview
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E2: Hear from Sarah Anderson
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E1: Hear from Sonia Park & Ashley Heard
Bold By Choice Podcast | S3 E1: Schools That Reflect the World | Overview
Kids Don’t Need a Sector. They Need a Movement.
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E5: Chartering the Frontier
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E4: Charters Go National
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E3: The First Law
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E2: Ideas to Action
Bold by Choice Podcast | About S2 E1: The Idea
Is Public Education Obsolete?
Guardians of Opportunity: Dr. Jim Goenner’s Vision for Charter School Excellence at A-GAME
Shatter Barriers – Jim Goenner NACSACon 2024
Arc Changer Stories: School Culture Matters! Forte Preparatory Academy and SUNY Authorized Charter Schools
Arc Changer Stories: Educating the Whole Child
Revving Up for Renewal
Gerard Robinson Opening the May 2024 A-GAME Convening
Arc Changer Stories: School Culture Matters!
Strategic Planning in Action
Arc Changer Stories: Relationships Matter!
Supporting a High-Quality Charter Ecosystem
12 Board Responsibilities
The Secret to Student Success is in the Details (#2)
Educators as Advocates
Boards as Strategic Planners: Ensuring the Mission is Accomplished
Prioritizing School Security – Think Different, Not More.
Don’t Get Caught Off Guard – Know where your schools are financially
Strategies for Ensuring a Successful Budget
Keep Your School Financially Fit
The Secret to Student Success is in the Details
5 Insights Boards Need to Know
7 Things Charter School Leaders Wish Their Boards Knew
5 Ideas to Promote Your School: Serving as Advocates & Ambassadors
7 Habits of Highly Effective Board Chairs
What Boards Should Know About Facilities and Financing
What Board Members Should Know About Enrollment Efforts
About the Board network with Mary Bradley
Board Network promo for Alliance
Board Network Ad
Board Network Promo
Board Network Trailer
Board Network Walkthrough
This is the civil rights issue of the 21st century – Former Governor of NY, George E. Pataki
Negotiating the NY Charter School bill into law – Former Governor of NY, George E. Pataki
Why Charter Schools leaves a lasting legacy – Former Governor of NY, George E. Pataki
Four Pillars of School Effectiveness – JC Huizenga
Facilities Financing – JC Huizenga
Importance of Competition in Education – JC Huizenga
President Clinton Addressing MI Legislature on Charter Schools – Jim Barrett
What I am Proudest of while Serving in Michigan – Jim Barrett
Why I got Involved in Education – Jim Barrett
What is Chartering – Ember Reichgott Junge
The resources of the Founders Library – Ember Reichgott Junge
The difference in Charter Schools – Ember Reichgott Junge
How do board members make a difference – Ember Reichgott Junge
How can citizens and parents work with elected officials – Ember Reichgott Junge
Charter Schools and Innovation – Ember Reichgott Junge
Are Charter Schools a problem for education – Ember Reichgott Junge
Advice for new law makers – Ember Reichgott Junge
Helping children in my own front yard – Dr. Nell Collier
Charter school exist because of their mission – Dr. Charvez Russell
The beauty and value of the Founders Library – Harold J. Brubaker
Putting back pressure on political opposition – Harold J. Brubaker
Vouchers bill used to push legislation for charters in North Carolina – Harold J. Brubaker
What’s Next for Charters? – former Governor of Michigan John Engler
Hosting President Clinton in Michigan – former Governor of Michigan John Engler
K-12 education as monopoly – time was ripe for change…- former Governor of Michigan John Engler
Democratic community organizers secretly love charter schools – Caprice Young
Why not involvement of parents – Caprice Young
Pandemic, adult interests and the never-ending battle – Shavar Jeffries
Herding Cats: A New Breed of Education Entrepreneurs – Jon Schroeder
What is the role of the Federal Government – Jon Schroeder
The best answers come from teachers – Dave Durenberger
Joe Lieberman’s efforts in sponsoring Charter School law – Dave Durenberger
The Idea of a Charter School – Richard McLellan
If I would have known – Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
Talk to who’s in charge – Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
A Better State – Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
Advocacy – Dr. Howard Fuller
2023 Charter Founders Library promo
Why It’s Important – Mary Kay Shields
#LEAD – We teach what leaders need to know
Why choose the #LEAD Charter School Leaders Program
#LEAD mentee – Sarah Tate McClendon
#LEAD Mentor – Todd Avis
Old Mission Peninsula School – #schoolbrag
Greenspire School – #schoolbrag
West Michigan Aviation Academy #SchoolBrag
Jackson Preparatory & Early College – #SchoolBrag
William C. Abney Academy – #SchoolBrag
Charlton Heston Academy – #Schoolbrag
Renaissance Public School Academy – #Schoolbrag
Light of the World Academy – #Schoolbrag
Assessing schools in distress
Arc Changers – NACSACON 2023
Epicenter commerical
Epicenter: Empowering You to Achieve
Epicenter for schools
Epicenter Site Visits
Epicenter Scorecard
Epicenter New Applications
Jim Goenner – Ted Talk NACSACON 2023
For Kids, For You. For Education
Mary Bradley – Ted Talk NACSACON 2023