Once you know the rules, you can begin the process of imagining your school.  Start by creating a list of needs and wants.  For example, if your first-year enrollment is expected to be 175 students, and you plan to double that in two years, you need a building to match your growth plan.  Will you need a  gym, cafeteria, computer lab, or a specialized space to accommodate your school’s unique mission?  Will your school need to be on bus lines or other transportation routes? Is your school targeting a specific neighborhood or student population?  These attributes will be your criteria to choose the best building for your school.

Review Options

When you start to look at buildings, create a review sheet.  List your criteria in the left column of a spreadsheet or grid, with your potential locations named across the top.  For each criteria a location meets, mark an X in the grid.  While your needs may not be negotiable, your wants could be—so list them in order of importance.  When your review is done, you can see how the buildings match to your criteria. This kind of comparison is helpful when one building is more visually attractive or has special attributes.  The review sheet can outline the space best suited to your needs. 

In addition to your state department of education and your charter school association, mine your contacts [see Creating a Marketing Plan] for architects, real estate agents, brokers, contractors and other experts who can help you find, evaluate, and renovate appropriate space.  These experts can also help you navigate zoning laws for school buildings.

Many charter schools have found that former retail, office, or manufacturing space can be  conducive learning environments for children.  Unconventional environments lend themselves to the uniqueness and creativity that make charter schools great.  Non-traditional space can encourage non-traditional teaching, and children who were unable to thrive in typical classrooms with standard curricula can find new ways to learn.