Application Consulting Program (ACP)

Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS) is now the DC Charter School Alliance!

Please visit www.dccharters.org to learn about our new organization and to see the latest news and information related to DC charter schools.

The FOCUS DC website is online to see historic information, but is not actively updated.

Application Consulting Program (ACP)

About the Program
The ACP is available to select Founding Groups that FOCUS chooses based (in part) on their ability to successfully complete the WFF Phase I Pre-Authorization Grant. During the course of the ACP, founding groups officially petition the DC PCSB for charter approval. 83% of all successful charter petitioners participated in the FOCUS Application Consulting Program. 77% of all FOCUS ACP groups have had their charters approved.

FOCUS provides the following support to groups that have been selected into the Application Consulting Program:

1. The FOCUS Charter Petition Template

2. Extensive oral and written feedback on multiple drafts of each of the following Milestone documents:

  • Education Plan
  • Business Plan
  • Operations Plan

3. One-on-one budget planning assistance

4. Intensive preparation for the DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) technical review panel interview

5. One-on-one technical assistance to complete the Walton Family Foundation Phase II Post-Authorization Grant.

 

Enrollment Criteria

  • Plan to open a regular education elementary, middle or high school (we are not experts in adult education schools);
  • Have a complete founding group (we do not work with individuals);
  • Attain FOCUS endorsement of your WFF Pre-Authorization Grant application;
  • Have a successful intake interview with FOCUS;
  • Sign FOCUS contract.

 

Cost
The cost per founding group is $10,000. If your group participated in APP, the cost is: $9,425. Payment is due upon receipt of Walton Family Foundation pre-authorization grant funding ($30,000).

 

How to Register
This is a highly-selective program. To inquire about how to be considered, email rsvp@focusdc.org with "ACP Enrollment" in the subject line.

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