High Quality Charter School Growth Initiative
U.S. Department of Education Grant
EdFuel has been awarded $3.1 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Charter Schools Program (CSP) to launch a five-year national initiative designed to strengthen educator recruitment, retention, and sustainable workforce systems in charter schools.
This investment represents one of the most significant federal grants for charter schools awarded through the 2025 CSP Model Development and Dissemination competition, supporting innovative schools that are building stronger, more stable educator teams. Through this initiative, participating schools will gain access to expert guidance, tools, and strategies that create lasting improvements in staffing, leadership development, and retention.
Meet Cohort 1
From 57 applications, EdFuel selected a first cohort of innovative charter schools across all five target states. These leaders run classical, Montessori, career academy, microschool, STEM, and community school models, and this year they are building the talent systems that keep great educators in place.
The Leaders Behind the Work
Jane Schlichter
Career Academy Network of Public Schools
Indiana
Ma’at Lands
Rooted School
Indiana
Alise Perry
Global Preparatory Academy
Indiana
Jessica Neill
Indiana Microschool Collaborative
Indiana
The Match High School
Indianapolis
Indiana
Christie Huck
City Garden Montessori School
Missouri
London Koehn
Ewing Marion Kauffman School
Missouri
Genevieve Backer
Atlas Public Schools
Missouri
BELIEVE Schools
St. Louis
Missouri
Megan Garry
Encompass Community School
Tennessee
Altovise Boyd
Journey Community Schools
Tennessee
Nashville Classical
Nashville
Tennessee
Libertas School of Memphis
Memphis
Tennessee
April Walker
Bob Hope Charter School
Texas
Jeremy Cating
Aristoi Classical Academy
Texas
YES Prep Public Schools
Houston
Texas
Deidra Pitts
True North Classical Academy
Florida
Tiffany Brutus
KIPP Miami + KIPP New Jersey
Florida
April Smith
Treasure Village Montessori
Florida
The 2026–27 Cohort Journey
Five virtual sessions from September to May. Each one tackles a talent challenge leaders face right now while building the systems they need for the year ahead. Talent data and state- and model-specific context run through every session, and each school leaves with up to two talent systems strengthened.
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September: Setting the Conditions
Where are your systems under pressure right now? Map the talent year, find pressure points, and tighten onboarding and just-in-time hiring.
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November: Supporting Performance
Are people set up to succeed day to day? Equip managers to coach, give feedback, and retain strong staff.
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January: Aligning Expectations & Rewards
Are expectations, performance, and rewards aligned? Align roles, performance, and pay, benchmarked against EdFuel’s National Compensation & Benefits Study.
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March: Planning Ahead
What does next year require? Plan next year’s staffing, strengthen workforce planning, and anticipate risk early.
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May: Integrating Talent Systems
What is your data telling you? Read retention, performance, and engagement data and set one or two priorities for next year.
About This Federal Grant Initiative
Charter schools, particularly those leading innovative approaches to improve student outcomes, often face challenges such as educator turnover and limited talent infrastructure. This initiative helps schools strengthen recruitment, retention, and long-term workforce stability through systems-based talent strategies grounded in EdFuel's proven approach.
“This project is exceptional— Its clear focus on teacher and leader retention coupled with one-on-one coaching and adaptable resources, will contribute to the creation of highly effective charter schools.”
With this grant, EdFuel will:
Help charter schools design sustainable workforce systems that support long-term educator retention
Support charter school leaders' talent and people management practices and systems
Share practical tools, research, and implementation resources nationally
Strengthen learning and collaboration across the broader charter school ecosystem
How the Cohort Works
Every cohort school gets two things that work together: a peer learning cohort that follows the rhythm of the school year, and a dedicated EdFuel consultant who helps them design or meaningfully refine up to two talent systems in their own context.
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Five virtual peer learning sessions, September to May, alongside innovative charters in other states
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A dedicated EdFuel consultant paired with each school
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A talent diagnostic that pinpoints the highest-leverage starting points
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Up to two talent systems designed or meaningfully refined
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Custom tools, templates, and calibration training to keep
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A strategic talent calendar built across the school year
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Ongoing advisory between sessions so changes hold in practice
Who Is Eligible and What Schools Receive
Participating schools must meet Charter Schools Program (CSP) eligibility requirements and demonstrate commitment to improving their talent systems. This opportunity provides subsidized support to help charter schools strengthen educator recruitment, retention, and long-term workforce stability.
Eligible schools:
- Operate in one of five target states: Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, or Texas
- Represent innovative models (e.g., classical & civics, STEM, CTE, rural, special student populations, etc.)
- Demonstrate commitment to recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality educators
- Engage in structured cohort learning and one-on-one coaching support
Participating schools receive:
- 30+ hours of expert technical assistance
- Five structured professional development sessions
- Customized diagnostics, a plan to address priority areas, and implementation support to strengthen talent systems
- Projected 5–10% staff retention gains
- Estimated $50,000+ in annual retention savings
Projected National Impact
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50
Schools
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1,000+
Educators
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25,000
Students
Think Your School Is Eligible?
FAQs
What is the U.S. DOE Charter Schools Program grant?
The Charter Schools Program (CSP) through the Department of Education provides funds to create promising new public charter schools, replicate high-quality public charter schools, and disseminate information about effective practices within charter schools U.S. Department of Education. The CSP is the federal government's only dedicated funding stream for creating and expanding high-quality public charter schools.
How will participating schools use the grant to improve educator retention?
Schools begin with a structured talent diagnostic that helps leadership teams understand the factors influencing staff recruitment, development, and retention. From there, EdFuel works with leaders to design a plan to strengthen talent systems. This may include clearer career pathways, improved staffing structures, compensation strategies, and leadership development support. The goal is to translate federal grant funding into practical changes that strengthen educator stability, growth, and long-term retention.
What types of schools are the strongest fit for participation?
Schools that would benefit most from this initiative are those committed to strengthening their talent infrastructure over time. This includes schools that are growing, managing leadership transitions, or seeking more consistent systems for hiring, developing, and retaining staff.
Do participating schools have to reside in specific areas in order to participate?
Based on requirements from our approved grant program, eligible schools must operate in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, or Texas. There are other opportunities for schools located in other states to be included in case studies. Email us at (grants email address) to learn more.
What kinds of schools fall into the “Innovative School Model” category?
Innovative school models may include classical and civics schools, STEM and CTE programs, rural schools, and schools serving specialized student populations. Schools that demonstrate a clear commitment to recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality educators are the strongest fit for participation.
What is the five-year initiative focused on?
The initiative is designed to boost teacher and leader retention across innovative charter schools. It will develop and share strategies to help schools recruit, reward, and retain high-quality educators through cohort-based learning, individualized coaching, and tailored support.
What's the projected impact?
The initiative will reach 50 schools, 1,000 educators, and 25,000 students over five years.