Catholic Schools Become Charter Schools

Lessons from the Washington Experience

Twice in the span of 10 years, the Archdiocese of Washington summoned help from an array of leaders in the nation’s capital to preserve its struggling inner-city Catholic schools. The similarities between these two efforts were striking. Both were instigated by serious financial challenges and both were led by archbishops committed to serving disadvantaged children. One significant difference, however, distinguished the two efforts: the first maintained the schools’ affiliation with the Catholic Church; the second resulted in seven schools converting into secular public charter schools.

From The Washington Experience

1. Converting multiple schools to charter status is not for the faint of heart. It requires an extraordinary amount of work, and if the schools are to avoid even a temporary period of closure, that work must be compressed into a short window.

2. The pre-existing network of schools smoothed the transition. The schools’ unique, independent organizational arrangement prior to conversion greatly facilitated the transition process and provided the framework for an appropriate organization to run the schools as a network post-conversion.

3. Engaging the charter authorizer early and often was a key to success. Early and consistent communications with the authorizing body is absolutely essential.

4. Conversion led to significant changes in the student body of each school. Converted schools saw a significant increase in enrollment, and, on average, new students were further behind academically and had greater special needs.

5. Conversion also brought staff-related changes. Conversion raises many issues related to staff, including changes in salary, the need for more and different positions, the importance of continuity to families, and new certification requirements.

6. Using the same building post-conversion requires time, careful planning, and smart negotiations. Many issues will be of great importance to both sides, including cost, lease length, permitted uses, and shared space.

7. A demonstrable commitment to student achievement and standards helps win charter approval. The schools’ previous charter- like focus on measurable academic gains, transparency, and accountability was not only good for kids, it was a big asset in getting a charter from the government authorizer.

8. “Start-up” funding is needed to cover costs associated with the conversion process. Though state and district per-pupil funding will cover costs associated with operating the schools once opened, the conversion process has non-trivial up-front costs such as student recruitment, the cost of supplies, and salaries for staff and consultants.

9. C onversion also brings more funding. Conversion resulted in significantly more funding for the schools, and it seems to be bolstering the sustainability of the archdiocese’s other schools.

10. T he decision to convert created some local storms. The conversion decision was opposed, in some cases vigorously, by a few local groups who resented the archdiocese’s decision-making process and the changes required in the schools.

Complete report: Catholic Schools Become Charter Schools -
Lessons from the Washington Experience

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