Charter school leaders report that lack of access to adequate facilities is one of their primary concerns and one of the biggest barriers to growth. In fact, nearly one in five charter schools had to delay their opening date by a year or more due to facilities related issues. And nearly half of charter schools were in school buildings that did not have space for their anticipated enrollment in five years. Parent demand for charter schools is increasing, but facilities constraints are restricting supply. 

Facilities related issues have discouraged countless school leaders from submitting or completing their application. The Charter School Facility Center is dedicated to helping public charter schools access better and more affordable facilities and facility financing.

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School Buildings of the Future: Lessons from the Pandemic report graphic

School Buildings of the Future: Lessons from the Pandemic

January 25, 2021

In 2020, schools dramatically adjusted their operations in response to the pandemic.  While most schools shifted from the traditional in-school learning model to 100% remote instruction, some developed new, innovative ways to safely provide a blended model of remote, technology-based instruction

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Charter School Facility Refinancing Guide and Toolkit graphic

Charter School Facility Refinancing Guide and Toolkit

September 23, 2020

Financing a charter school facility is challenging enough. Refinancing a charter school facility is often a larger project and has more consequences because long term debt can last for 30 years or more. The stakes can be significant when locking into long term financing.

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Contact the Charter School Facility Center

Moral Obligation- A State Credit Enhancement Program

September 15, 2020

Since the early 1970s, moral obligation bonds have been used to finance housing, higher education facilities, hospitals, corrections facilities, and more. Some states are now using this tool to help charter schools save on borrowing costs.  

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Charter School Facility Center Advisory Board

Newsletters

July 31, 2020

The Charter School Facility Center’s newsletter provides news, policy developments, and best practices related to facilities, real estate, and design (FRED).

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Charter School Facility Center Advisory Board

The New Market Tax Credit Program

July 22, 2020

Charter schools are eligible uses of New Market Tax Credits (NMTC). There have been 75 NMTC transactions in schools, and most of them have been charter schools.

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Event: Renegotiating Leases in the time of COVID-19
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Renegotiating Leases

Renegotiating Leases in the time of COVID-19

June 24, 2020

COVID’s impact has caused unprecedented financial uncertainties and operational challenges for charter schools across the country.  Many charter operators and Boards may be considering revisiting all potential financial levers, including real estate obligations, to stabilize and support healthy o

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fund charter school facilities

National Charter School Resource Center 

March 13, 2020
The Department of Education's National Charter School Resource Center has a variety of resources available to support charter schools, including a section entirely devoted to facilities.
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finance charter schools

LISC Resources

March 13, 2020
LISC provides several resources to help in the facility development process.