Charter petitioners, whether seeking to start a new charter school or renew an existing one, must submit a proposal for a formal charter contract. In Georgia: 

• A local charter school contract is a three-party agreement among the nonprofit charter governing board, SCCPSS, and the State Board of Education. 

• A charter system contract is a two-party agreement between the local board of education and the State Board of Education. 

Charter Petition Timeline & Deadlines

Petition Type	Letter of Intent Deadline*	Full Application Deadline to SCCPSS	SCCPSS Board Action	State Submission
Start-up	6 months before full submission	March 6	June Board Meeting	August (if approved)
Conversion	April 1	July 15	October Board Meeting	December / State Board Meeting
Renewal	April 1	July 15	October Board Meeting	December / State Board Meeting

* Petitioners must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) at least six months prior to the full application deadline. 

Important notes: 

• SCCPSS accepts charter applications only on the official due date published each year.

• The Board must render decisions (approve or deny) by June 30 in accordance with state charter law. 

• If a petition is denied, SCCPSS will provide petitioners, the State Board of Education, and the Office of Charter School Compliance with a detailed written rationale within 20 days of denial. 

Application Submission Process 

1. Review Requirements & Guidelines: Petitioners should carefully review SCCPSS’s charter petition guidelines, performance expectations, and legal requirements before preparing their proposal. 
    

2. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI): Submit the LOI by the published deadline (six months before the full application date) to the SCCPSS Charter School Liaison. 
    

3. Prepare and Submit Full Application: On March 6th; petitioners must submit their full charter application to the SCCPSS Charter School Liaison Office. No late or early submissions will be accepted. 
    

4. District Review & Interviews: The application undergoes a multi-department review (instructional design, finance, governance, operations). The review panel may request a capacity interview for petition leadership. 
    

5. Board Decision: The Superintendent will present a recommendation to the SCCPSS Board of Education. The Board votes to approve or deny at its June meeting. 
    

6. State Approval & Contract Execution: If approved by SCCPSS, the proposal is forwarded for state review and formal contract execution with the State Board of Education (or SCSC, as applicable). 
    

7. Monitoring & Renewal: Approved charter schools will be monitored for compliance, performance, and fiscal health throughout the term. Renewal petitions must follow the same process and be submitted by July 15 in the renewal year.