Do you have what it takes to start your own public school?

Ever wish you could do something to change lives and change a community? Well now you can. Actualize your vision by creating the school of your dreams! Transform the lives of students, families and a community by opening a new school.  If you’re willing to work in one of the greatest cities in the world (NYC), and can act fast, then you can take advantage of an unprecedented opportunity offered by the Office of New Schools. They are offering a level of support (i.e. paid planning time and expert help) to talented educators (if not you, this is the form to nominatie someone) to open new district schools in September 2014. These are not charter schools, but rather public schools, and they have a significant focus on career-tech and innovative schools as well.

The strongest candidates possess:

1. Experience in leading, motivating, and developing a staff
2. A deep commitment to providing amazing opportunities to the hardest-to-serve youth
3. A clear instructional model and vision for what a successful school looks like

For inspiration, check out this PowerPoint from a school leader who tells about his experience with starting a school.

Eligibility requirements:A SAS/SBL OR SDA/SDL certification, or be enroll in a license-granting program in order to meet all license requirements by July 1, 2014.     

The phases and elements of the selection process are diagramed below.


First Steps to Submitting a New School Application
The first step to proposing a school is to create an account here and use the NYC DOE online system to submit a profile and abstract by 9am on March 19th. Click here for complete submission instructions

These consist of several sections:
A.  Profile

• Applicant and Proposed School Information (short answer questions)
• Applicant Resume
• Three Short Essays

B.  School Abstract

• ALL applicants are required to attend Group Assessment 1 on Tuesday, March 19th and Group Assessment 2 onThursday, March 21st from 5:00—7:15pm at the High School for Economics and Finance.  You are required to bring a planning team member to Group Assessment 2.

You can attend an open house to learn more at the times/locations below.

• March 4, 5 pm at Info Tech HS (21016 44th Road, LIC, NY 11101)
• March 7, 5 pm at Bronx Design & Construction (333 East 151 Street, Bronx, NY 10451)

You can RSVP to attend here.

Because several mayoral candidates have stated they are in support of limiting or placing a moratorium on the number of school closures in the future, this is a unique opportunity that may not be available in the future. If this is of interest, get out that laptop and start writing!