CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC recognizes charter renewal as one of its most important responsibilities as an authorizer. Renewal provides an opportunity to evaluate a school’s performance throughout its charter term and determine whether continued authorization supports high-quality educational opportunities for students and families.
Renewal Standards
In accordance with Indiana Code 20-24-4-1, CCSJ maintains a fair, transparent, consistent, and timely renewal process. Schools seeking renewal must demonstrate progress toward the expectations established in their Charter Agreement, including academic achievement and growth, financial sustainability, effective governance and operations, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Renewal decisions are based on evidence gathered throughout the charter term, including annual performance reviews, academic and financial data, governance and compliance records, monitoring activities, site visits, stakeholder feedback, and the school’s Renewal Application. When concerns have been identified, CCSJ also considers the school’s response, demonstrated improvement, and ability to sustain corrective actions.
CCSJ is committed to making renewal decisions that are consistent, transparent, and evidence-based while maintaining high standards of accountability and recognizing opportunities for continuous improvement. Above all, renewal decisions are guided by the best interests of students, families, and the communities served by CCSJ-authorized schools.
Renewal Process
Charter renewal is governed by Indiana Code § 20-24-4-1.
CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC begins preparing for charter renewal in the spring prior to a school’s final charter year. This early planning provides the school, governing board, and CCSJ sufficient time to understand renewal expectations, required documentation, key deadlines, and the review timeline.
Schools seeking renewal must submit a Letter of Intent to Renew along with documentation confirming governing board approval. Upon receipt, CCSJ will schedule a renewal planning meeting with school leadership and board representatives to review performance expectations, required submissions, stakeholder participation, review activities, and anticipated decision dates.
This early planning process promotes clear communication and ensures that CCSJ and the school understand their respective responsibilities throughout the renewal process.
The CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC Renewal Application allows schools to demonstrate their performance, progress, and readiness for an additional charter term. Schools should provide evidence of how they have fulfilled the commitments established in their Charter Agreement.
The application should address key areas of performance, including academic achievement and growth, financial health, governance and organizational effectiveness, compliance, school climate, and monitoring results. Schools should identify significant accomplishments, areas of strength, challenges, and opportunities for continued improvement.
When established performance expectations have not been met, CCSJ may require an Improvement Action Plan outlining the concern, measurable goals, improvement strategies, responsible parties, and a timeline for progress.
The Renewal Application, along with evidence collected by CCSJ throughout the charter term, stakeholder input, site visits, and other relevant information, supports an evidence-based and comprehensive renewal decision focused on performance, organizational capacity, and continuous improvement.
As part of the charter renewal process, CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC gathers input from key stakeholders, including students, families, faculty and staff, school leadership, governing board members, and the broader school community.
Feedback may be collected through confidential surveys or other methods and may address school culture, leadership, communication, family engagement, governance, educational experience, and overall satisfaction.
Stakeholder feedback is considered alongside academic, financial, organizational, and compliance data to provide a well-rounded assessment of the school’s strengths, areas for improvement, and ability to effectively serve students and families.
As part of the charter renewal process, CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC may conduct an on-site review to gain firsthand insight into the school’s educational environment, leadership, governance, and operations.
The review may include classroom observations, meetings with school leadership, governing board members, faculty and staff, and examination of programs, policies, and operational practices. Schools may also provide additional information or clarification related to their Renewal Application.
Information gathered during the visit is considered alongside academic, financial, organizational, governance, and compliance data to assess the school’s strengths, areas for improvement, and capacity to meet the expectations of its Charter Agreement.
Following the External Assessment and review of all available evidence, CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC conducts a comprehensive analysis of the school's academic, financial, organizational, and compliance performance. The Executive Director develops a renewal recommendation based on the totality of evidence gathered throughout the charter term.
The CCSJ Charter Authority, LLC Board reviews the renewal recommendation and supporting evidence during a public meeting. After discussion and consideration of the school's performance, the Board votes to renew or non-renew the Charter Agreement.
At the conclusion of the renewal process, the CCSJ Charter Authority Board will determine whether continued authorization is appropriate based on the complete record of performance presented during the charter term. The Board’s decision will reflect CCSJ’s expectations for academic quality, responsible governance, financial stewardship, and organizational sustainability.
The governing board will be formally informed of the decision and any requirements associated with continued authorization. When renewal is granted, CCSJ and the governing board will establish a new Charter Agreement defining the expectations, responsibilities, and accountability measures for the next charter term.