Charter School Application Process

It is the role of the Charter School Petition Review Committee to ensure that charter petitions are reasonably comprehensive. Our process allows specialized staff to evaluate petitions in a systematic, unbiased approach through a comprehensive checklist that provides uniformity in the evaluation of charter petitions.

Interdepartmental Charter School Petition Review Committee

Countywide Benefit Charter Schools

A charter petition may be submitted directly to the Fresno County Board of Education if the proposed school will serve students for whom the Fresno County Office of Education would be responsible for providing direct education and related services. A charter petition may also be directly submitted to the Fresno County Board of Education if it proposes to serve a pupil population that cannot be served well by a charter school operating in one district.
Download the Charter School Countywide Benefit Submission Packet

Charter Schools on Appeal

If the governing board of a school district has previously denied a charter school petition, the petitioner(s) may elect to submit the petition for the establishment of a charter school to the County Board Of Education. A petition must be received by the County Board of Education not later than 180 calendar days after the denial. Any petition received by the County Board of Education more than 180 days after denial shall not be acted upon by the County Board of Education.
Download Charter School on Appeal Submission Packet

Renewal Process

According to Educational Code 47607 (b), criteria must be met in order for renewal to be granted to any charter school. The charter school must meet one of the following:

• Attainment of the API growth target in the prior year or in two of the last three years.
• API state rank of 4 or above in the prior year or in two of the last here years.
• API comparable schools rank of 4 or above in the prior year or in two of the last three years.
• A positive determination by the chartering authority regarding the comparative academic performance of the charter school.
• Qualification by the charter school for the Alternative School Accountability Model.

Download the Charter School Renewal Submission Packet

Approval & Denial Process

Upon completion of the petition review, a public hearing and other statutory requirements, the Charter School Petition Review Committee will submit a summary report and recommendation for approval or denial to the Fresno County Board of Education.

Memorandum of Understanding

Charter schools that are authorized by the Fresno County Board of Education will be required to enter into an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Board.
Download FCOE’s MOU template