Charter School Founders Summit

A full-day Charter Schools 101 experience for aspiring founders — from vision and community to governance, finance, and readiness.
About this Event

Is Starting a Charter School on Your Heart? Start Here.

The Charter School Founders Summit is a full-day conference experience designed to provide a clear, realistic introduction to what it takes to start a charter school in Georgia.

This Charter Schools 101 experience walks participants through the charter school journey — from early vision and community alignment to governance, finance, and operational readiness — grounded in best practices and real-world lessons from charter leaders across Georgia.

The Summit emphasizes readiness, thoughtful pacing, and responsible next steps to help aspiring founders move forward with clarity and confidence.

Who Should Attend?

The Summit is designed for:

• Aspiring charter school founders
• Current charter school petitioners
• Potential founding board members
• Educators and community leaders early in the charter school development process

This event is ideal for individuals exploring how to start a charter school or actively preparing a charter petition who want greater clarity on readiness, alignment, and next steps.

Event Details

Evening Reception — The Night Before Wednesday, June 24, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM| Grand Bohemian Hotel | Savannah, Georgia

Summit Day Thursday, June 25, 2025 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Formey Learning Center | Savannah, Georgia

Registration includes access to both the Summit and the Wednesday evening reception.

PLAN YOUR STAY — NEARBY HOTELS

We encourage you to make your hotel reservations early, as Savannah is a popular destination. Below are a few nearby hotels for your convenience. Please note that GCSA does not have a negotiated room block at this time — rooms are available at standard rates.

Aloft Savannah Downtown Historic District

512 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 31401

Phone: (912) 421-2003

Rating: 3.6 ★ | Downtown location, walkable to historic Savannah squares

TRYP by Wyndham Savannah Downtown/Historic District

320 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401

Phone: (912) 341-6756

Rating: 3.8 ★ | Central downtown location, public parking available nearby

The Galloway House Inn

107 E. 35th St, Savannah, GA 31401

Phone: (912) 658-4419

Rating: 4.5 ★ | Charming boutique inn in a beautiful Greek revival mansion

Extended Stay America – Savannah Midtown

5511 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31405

Phone: (912) 692-0076

Rating: 3.4 ★ | Budget-friendly option with suite-style rooms

Agenda

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome & Charter Founders Summit Overview
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Charter Schools 101
🕑: 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM
Community Engagement & Co-Creating a School with Families and Stakeholders
🕑: 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM
Authorizer Insights: What a Authorizer Looks for in a Charter School
🕑: 12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
Networking Break & Transition
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch & Keynote
🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:40 PM
From Vision to Viability: Charter School Financial Readiness
🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:40 PM
Building a High-Capacity Governing Board
🕑: 02:50 PM - 03:50 PM
CEO Mindset Session
🕑: 02:50 PM - 03:50 PM
From Approval to Execution: Leading the School You’re Building
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Assessing Readiness & Setting Direction