Does your charter authorizing team know what a strong Montessori school application looks like?
Charter schools were created to try new ways of meeting students’ learning needs. But the more distinctive a school model is, the more challenging it can be to approve and oversee.
Make sure you and your team are prepared to evaluate applications for Montessori schools, so every community, including those that have historically had the fewest options, has access to a full range of quality choices.
NACSA has teamed up with the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector to create resources for reviewing new Montessori school applications. The guidance covers the places where a standard review process can fall short, including:
- Assessment plans that reflect how the model measures learning
- Staffing expectations that fit the model
- Budget assumptions that match what the model requires
Montessori applications are coming. Download “Evaluating a Montessori Application” so your office is ready.
More resources:
In September 2026, NACSA hosted a three-part series on what authorizers need to know about Montessori schools. You can watch the videos below:
This work is part of NACSA’s broader work on innovative models, including Opportunity Schools, Career and Technical Education, and Early College, so that authorizers aren’t left to figure out unfamiliar models alone.
