Charter School Growth Fund

Papo Morales was part of the founding class of Achievement First Crown Heights Elementary, and he came back to Brooklyn to give his students exactly what Achievement First gave him: a high bar, deep care, and the belief that their potential has no ceiling.

“My job is to care about you here. And my obligation is to care about you when you leave.”
- Papo Morales, AP English Literature and AP Research teacher at Achievement First Brooklyn High School

Read his story:
https://www.brooklynpaper.com/this-is-what-achievement-first-looks-like-one-teachers-extraordinary-investment-in-his-students/

This Is What “Achievement First” Looks Like: One Teacher’s Extraordinary Investment in His Students • Brooklyn Paper There is a Morehouse College T-shirt pinned to the wall of Papo Morales's classroom at Achievement First Brooklyn High School. A sixth-grade math teacher gave

At Uncommon Schools Rochester Prep, educators are using AI to assist them with planning time so they can spend the rest of their time being present with their students.

“It is a tool. It is a resource. It is not the end-all, be-all,” - James Dill, director of special education at Rochester Prep

By using an AI platform called Lenny Learning, these educators are able to create personalized frameworks to meet students where they are.

https://www.wysl1040.com/staff-at-rochester-charter-school-weigh-in-on-using-ai-to-create-lesson-plans/

Staff at Rochester charter school weigh in on using AI to create lesson plans - WYSL NewsPower 1040 ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Rochester charter school is using artificial intelligence to help teachers and social workers create lesson plans, aiming to help them spend less time planning and more time with students.

"I was a part of Noble's first graduating class, and now I have the privilege of leading an organization that changed my life and that continues to transform the lives of students across the city [of Chicago]."
- Brenda Cora, CEO, Noble Schools

The most powerful thing a school can do isn't just change a student's life. It changes the trajectory of their entire family, and the community around them, for generations to come.That's the standard CSGF holds for the leaders and networks we invest in. Schools that stay deeply rooted in their communities. Schools that create pathways for graduates to come back as teachers, leaders, and changemakers.
https://youtu.be/FsQoyNVpwXA

Built to Last: Generational Change for Families and Communities CSGF invests in networks building lasting legacies through deep com...

Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School broke ground on a new home for their K-8 college-prep school in southwest Albuquerque. They are expanding access to a high-quality school option for hundreds more families.

“The purpose of Albuquerque Collegiate is ensuring that families have great school options in their neighborhood where they live and work."
- Jade Rivera founder of Albuquerque Collegiate

Congratulations!
https://www.koat.com/article/charter-school-breaks-ground-on-new-campus-in-southwest-albuquerque/71291366

Charter school breaks ground on new campus in southwest Albuquerque The campus is expected to be ready next summer.

Chronic absenteeism is one of the most pressing crises in American education. In Washington, D.C. alone, 44% of students are chronically absent.
At Friendship Public Charter School, they are combating chronic absenteeism with an intentional culture where every adult in the building owns every child's success.

Their secret sauce?
"It's intervention. And our all-hands-on-deck approach."
- Principal Gregory Spears

Click the link to learn what their all-hands-on-deck approach is:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/learning-happens-between-170530483.html

The Learning That Happens In The In-Between At a high-performing Washington, D.C. school, intervention, shared responsibility, and a belief that every adult matters are reshaping what student success looks like.

Nurses Middle College Nashville opened this school year, and all 120 students are earning their high school diplomas alongside EMT, CNA, and doula certifications. Nurses Middle College is the first high school in Middle Tennessee to offer this kind of pathway.

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/nashville-charter-school-trains-high-schoolers-to-become-nurses-before-graduation

Nashville charter school trains high schoolers to become nurses before graduation Nurses Middle College in Nashville offers free education, letting students earn some certifications before graduating high school.

Across the country students are arriving in middle and high school with gaps in foundational math skills, and teachers are working hard to meet them where they are.

Brooke Charter Schools was recently featured in Education Week for their thoughtful approach to helping older students catch up on foundational math skills. By weaving structured review and fluency practice into daily lessons, Brooke's teachers are ensuring no student gets left behind.

Read the full story:
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-schools-should-do-to-pump-up-the-deflated-math-skills-of-older-students/2026/05

What Schools Should Do to Pump Up the Deflated Math Skills of Older Students Research offers guidance on supporting teenagers who struggle with foundational skills.

Uncommon Schools is launching a yearlong Principal Residency Program, led by Co-Chief Executive Officer Julie Jackson, designed for organizations seeking to accelerate the development of future school leaders. This year-long residency supports aspiring principals who are likely to step into the principal role within the next one to two years. Residents remain embedded in their home organizations while participating in intensive leadership development experiences inside Uncommon Schools. CSGF is proud to support portfolio members participating in the Principal Residents program. The inaugural cohort will launch in Summer 2026.

Learn more about the program here: https://uncommonschools.org/sharing-our-practices/new-principal-residency-program/

Fill out the Principal Residency interest form here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclieuBvFIYj2LBukhlQ0JVMYzOmrmprg82D-ZOOLArDk0H4A/viewform

Uncommon Schools' Principal Residency Interest Form

Integration Charter Schools' Class of 2026 celebrated Decision Day earlier this month. All 81 of their graduates received college acceptances and raised more than $3 million in scholarships!

Congratulations to the entire Integration Charter Schools community.
https://www.silive.com/education/2026/05/college-dreams-take-shape-as-staten-island-seniors-pin-the-map-literally-26-photos.html

College dreams take shape as Staten Island HS seniors pin the map — literally (26 photos) Students announced their college choices by planting pendants on a large map of the United States — visually marking the destinations.

Some of the most high-performing schools are built by individuals who refuse to give up on kids.

Liza Bercovici lost her daughter Gabriella at age 13. In her memory, she built Everybody Dance LA! and two of California's top-ranked public charter schools, the Gabriella Charter Schools.

20 years later, Gabriella Charter Schools integrate daily dance into rigorous academics and are sending thousands of students on pathways to college and beyond.

Watch Liza's story:
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la/la-stories/2026/04/17/liza-bercovici-la-stories

Turning tragedy into purpose through dance and education Liza Bercovici joins "LA Stories"