How to Increase the Growth of Charter Schools

Increasing the growth of your charter school is going to take a lot of work, but it is definitely feasable. You just need to be creative with your growth and promotional strategies. Follow these steps to increase the size and attendance at your charter school.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Promotional materials
• Enrollment packages

1. Research what other charter schools have done to promote their schools. Try reviewing the archives of your state's Board of Education newsletter and try reviewing the news archives of local newspapers.
2. Develop a report that outlines the educational advantages students have when attending a charter school. You can then use this report as a marketing tool to attract parents.
3. Hold a public meeting that will inform parents in your school district about charter schools and their advantages. Make sure that you leave time for a question and answer session. Hand out flyers for your school and have enrollment packages available for those who are interested.
4. Host an open house at your charter school. At this open house offer guided tours through the school. This tour should highlight some of the best features of your school's facilities including a modern technology lab. Also have your teachers at the open house to answer questions that parents may have. You may also want to have a student presentation that demonstrates any special projects that your school has on-going. Again have application packages and brochures readily available.
5. Develop a relationship with the local media. This means inviting news stations, radio stations and the local print media to open houses, to your grand opening and to special events. You will also want to provide these news agents with press releases when your school, or other charter schools, are awarded a special accommodation and when students are awarded special accolades.
6. Offer your school's facilities to host special night time or weekend community events. This will draw people to the school and allow them the opportunity to learn more about it. At the very least it will make them aware of your charter school.
7. Invite local politicians and state politicians to tour your facility. For example you may want to invite your city council to visit your school so that they can learn about what you have done to improve test scores and to increase graduation rates. By developing a relationship with lawmakers and policymakers you will have the inside track when it comes to learning about available education grants.