Overview of the 2011 process to open a new school
On April 22, 2011, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released two Request for Qualifications (RFQs) to identify teachers, administrators, education management organizations and non-profit organizations interested in starting new traditional and alternative schools in Chicago using the charter and contract models.
Existing operators seeking to open an additional campus were asked to submit letters indicating their intent, including the number of campuses they desired to open, the location for those campuses, and the projected year of opening. On June 6, 2011, operators who met the 2011 performance criteria were invited to submit full business plans.
New operators and operators seeking to open alternative schools (i.e. schools to serve students who have dropped out of school) submitted brief proposals in response to the 2011 RFQ. Panels comprised of CPS staff and external experts reviewed those proposals against rubric criteria. Those proposals that demonstrated the capacity to open a school were invited on June 30, 2011 to submit full proposals, following the guidelines out lined in Request for Proposals (RFP) documents.
Proposals for each process were due in August. Expert panel reviews will be conducted throughout September. Based on the findings of those panels, the CEO will present his recommendations for 2011 charter approvals to the Board later this year.
The purpose of these RFQ processes is to further the CPS Office of New Schools' (ONS) mission to authorize high quality new schools—particularly within Chicago's high need communities—and to help ensure that students in Chicago have access to high quality school options. In alignment with this mission, applicants participate in a rigorous evaluation process that incorporates written submissions, comprehensive panel interviews and community outreach and engagement activities.
The documents used during each phase of the process are below.
2011 Charter RFQ Process
2011 RFP for Existing Operators Seeking to Add Campuses
2011 RFP for New Operators Seeking to Open a Traditional Charter School
2011 New Traditional Operator RFP Appendix
2011 RFP for Operators Seeking to Open an Alternative School
2011 Traditional Charter RFQ Process
2011 Alternative Charter RFQ Process
For any other questions, please call (773) 553-1110, or e-email newschoolapplicants@cps.k12.il.us 
.
Resources for applicants
Key Links
Illinois Charter School Law – Provides valuable information on charter school law, rules, and annual reports. Please also look for information on the ISBE website about grants available to Charter School applicants.
Documentation for Establishing Non-Profit Status – The websites below detail the process of applying for recognition by the IRS of exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Code:
501(c)(3)
Articles of Incorporation
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