Starting a Public Montessori School: A Planning Timeline

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    PHASE I: PRE-PLANNING
    (18 – 24 MONTHS AHEAD OF OPENING)

    Gathering Stakeholders & Assembling Resources

    • Assemble a design team
    • Establish relationships with nearby Montessori schools, public and private
    • Learn about local options for starting schools: district, magnet, charter
    • Educate local leaders (school leaders, community leaders, parents)
      • Visit nearby public Montessori programs
    • Prepare a fact sheet that addresses key questions related to launching a public program:
      • Proposed size of program
      • Potential locations of program
      • Start-up costs
      • Teacher recruitment and training
    • If your state offers start-up support (available specifically for new charters), apply for financial or technical assistance
    • Cultivate funders to support initial planning (typically ’12-18 months ahead of school opening)

    PHASE II: INITIAL PLANNING
    (12 MONTHS AHEAD OF OPENING)

    Operationalizing the Vision

    • Finalize plans for size, scope and location of program
    • Draft and submit application (for charter or magnet)
    • Reconstitute initial design team to serve as official planning board, responsible for:
      • Negotiating agreements with state/district
      • Hiring architects, contractors and other professionals necessary to prepare physical plant
      • Recruiting and hiring school leader
      • Developing system of student recruitment and selection
      • Managing budget
    • Launch School website
    • Recruit students and families

    PHASE III: FINAL PLANNING
    (FIVE MONTHS AHEAD OF OPENING)

    Countdown to Opening

    • Complete operations plan
    • Hire instructional staff
    • Conduct lottery
    • Orient new families
    • Complete all needed construction/renovation
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