Governor Mikie Sherrill

Application Rounds

March and October

The New Jersey Department of Education administers two application rounds for prospective charter schools — the March Application Round and the October Application Round.

In the March round, applications are due on March 31, and decisions are made on September 30 for charter schools that may open the following fall.

In the expedited October round, applications are due on October 15, and decisions are made by February 15 for charter schools that may open in the fall of the same year. The October round is only for proven operators. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:11-2.1(g): "For phase one of the October 15 expedited application, the Department will review applications received from founders with demonstrable experience operating an education institution."

October 2026 Charter School Application Timeline

Date Event

September 29, 2026, 3:30 p.m.

Technical Assistance Training Broadcast. To join, go to Microsoft TEAMS (link may be easiest to access using Google Chrome).

October 15, 2026, 4:15 p.m.
  • Deadline to submit the Phase One Application (hard copy and electronic copy) to the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Charter and Renaissance Schools.
  • Deadline to submit the Phase One Application (hard copy only) to the appropriate New Jersey Department of Education County Offices, and district(s) of residence.

Please contact allie.cobb@doe.nj.gov with any questions or concerns regarding application submission.

November 16, 2026

Tentative date for notification of qualified applicant status and eligibility to submit the Phase Two Application.

December 16, 2026, 4:15 p.m.
  • Deadline to submit the Phase Two Application (hard copy and electronic copy) to the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Charter and Renaissance Schools.
  • Deadline to submit the Phase Two Application (hard copy only) to the appropriate New Jersey Department of Education County Offices, and district(s) of residence.

January 6, 2027 – January 7, 2027

Tentative, applicant in-depth interview dates

February 15, 2027

Charter application initial decision

June 30, 2027

School preparedness process deadline

July 15, 2027

Final approval, granting of Charter, for approved applicants who have successfully completed the School Preparedness Process. Approved applicants who did not successfully complete the Preparedness Process will be notified of their status by the NJDOE.

March 2026 Charter School Application Public Comment

Take notice that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36A-4(c), the New Jersey Department of Education received 16 new charter school applications on or before March 31, 2026. 

Public comments regarding each of the following 11 applications that are still under review must be submitted via the email links next to each charter school application name. 

Please include the name of the charter school for which you are submitting comment in the subject line of your email:

2026 Phase One March Application Name Proposed District(s) of Residence Email Link to Submit Public Comment

LEAD Charter School – Jersey City

Jersey City Public Schools

March26LEADCSJerseyCityCharterApp@doe.nj.gov

Reimagine Learning Charter School

Willingboro Public School District

March26ReimagineLearningCharterApp@doe.nj.gov