Charter School Applicants

Subchapter D: Open-Enrollment Charter Schools

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Subchapter D charters are open-enrollment charter schools operated by an eligible entity as defined in TEC §12.101. The state may grant open-enrollment charters to the following entities:

• An institution of higher education as defined under TEC, §61.003(8);
• A private or independent institution of higher education as defined under TEC §61.003(15);
• An organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C.S. Section 501(c)(3)]; or
• A governmental entity. 

Subchapter D Application Documents

• Instruction and Guidance (PDF)
• Narrative Document (PDF, please download and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Subchapter D: High-Performing Entity

In addition, the commissioner of education may grant a charter to High-Performing entities.

For an applicant to be eligible for consideration as a high-performing entity, the applicant must demonstrate one of the following criteria:

• The entity is affiliated with a charter operator that operates one or more charter schools in another state. 
• The affiliated charter operator must have performed at an overall level that is comparable to the highest or second highest performance rating category under TEC, Chapter 39, Subchapter C, or the entity must propose to operate the charter school program that is currently implemented in the affiliated charter operator's existing charter schools. A charter operator may be considered affiliated with an entity if it utilizes shared structures, practices, or materials, including, but not limited to, a shared management structure, shared financial management or staff development practices, or shared proprietary materials, including those related to instruction.
• The entity is currently operating charter programs under TEC, Chapter 12, Subchapter C or E. The entity must have performed at an overall level in the highest or second highest performance rating category under TEC, Chapter 39, Subchapter C.

Note: In accordance with SB 569, applicants may apply for a Full-Time Virtual / Full-Time Hybrid Campus. Please refer to the corresponding Virtual Addendum included in each application.

High-Performing Entity Application Documents

• Instruction and Guidance (PDF)
• Narrative Document (PDF, please download and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Webinar Registration 

Information Sessions 

• August 4, 2026, 9:00 AM–11:30 AM (Register HERE)
• August 11, 2026, 9:00 AM–11:30 AM (Register HERE)

High-Performing Entity - Information Session [Optional]

• August 7, 2026, 9:00 AM–11:30 AM (Register HERE)

Support Seminars

• August 26, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Governance, Community Engagement, and Financial Plan Workbook (Register HERE)
• September 9, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Full-Time Hybrid and Full-Virtual Campuses (Register HERE)
• September 23, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Special Education (Register HERE)
• October 7, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Curriculum (Register HERE)
• November 4, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Final Steps before Submission (Register HERE)

Office Hours

• September 16, 2026, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM, (Attend HERE)
• October 14, 2026, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM, (Attend HERE)
• November 11, 2026, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM, (Attend HERE)

Subchapter E: Public College or University Open-Enrollment Charter Schools

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Subchapter E charters are open-enrollment charter schools operated by an eligible entity as defined in TEC §12.152. The state may grant open-enrollment charters to the following entities:

• a public senior college or university for an open-enrollment charter school to operate on the campus of the public senior college or university or, subject to Subsection (b), at another location in any county in this state; or
• a public junior college for an open-enrollment charter school to operate on the campus of the public junior college or in the same county in which the campus of the public junior college is located.

Note: In accordance with SB 569, applicants may apply for a Full-Time Virtual / Full-Time Hybrid Campus. Please refer to the corresponding Virtual Addendum included in each application.

Subchapter E Application Documents 

• Instruction and Guidance (PDF)
• Narrative Document (PDF, please download and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Webinar Registration

Information Sessions 

• August 4, 2026, 9:00 AM–11:30 AM (Register HERE)
• August 11, 2026, 9:00 AM–11:30 AM (Register HERE)

Support Seminars

• August 26, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM 
  Governance, Community Engagement, and Financial Plan Workbook (Register HERE)
• September 9, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Full-Time Hybrid and Full-Virtual Campuses (Register HERE)
• September 23, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Special Education (Register HERE)
• October 7, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Curriculum (Register HERE)
• November 4, 2026, 10:30 AM– 12:00 PM
  Final Steps before Submission (Register HERE)

Office Hours

• September 16, 2026, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM, (Attend HERE)
• October 14, 2026, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM, (Attend HERE)
• November 11, 2026, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM, (Attend HERE)

Generation 32 Timeline

Key dates from the Generation 32 application timeline are listed in the table below. 

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^†On or around date listed. 

Please note, applicants may contact TEA staff for clarifications regarding required fields in the application and for assembly procedures; however, an applicant must not initiate contact with any TEA staff or SBOE member regarding the content of the application from the time the application is submitted and ending on the date applicants conclude the external review process.

Generation 32 High-Performing Entity Timeline

Key dates from the Generation 32 High-Performing Entity Application for Subchapter C/Subchapter E Operators timeline are listed in the table below.

Timeline for January 2027 Approval

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Timeline for April 2027 Approval

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^†On or around the date listed

Please note, applicants may contact TEA staff for clarifications regarding required fields in the application and for assembly procedures; however, an applicant must not initiate contact with any TEA staff or SBOE member regarding the content of the application from the time the application is submitted and ending on the date applicants conclude the data analysis and eligibility review process.

Subchapter G: Adult Charter High School

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Subchapter G charters are adult education open-enrollment charter schools operated by an eligible entity as defined in TEC §12.256. The state may grant adult education charters to the following entities:

• a nonprofit entity,
• a school district,
• an entity granted a charter under Subchapter D,
• a general academic teaching institution, public junior college, or public technical institute, as defined by TEC Section 61.003, and;
• the entity, or a member of the entity ’s executive leadership, has a successful history of providing education services, including industry certifications and job placement services, to adults 18 years of age and older whose educational and training opportunities have been limited by educational disadvantages, disabilities, homelessness, criminal history, or similar marginalizing circumstances.

Note: In accordance with SB 569, applicants may apply for a Full-Time Virtual / Full-Time Hybrid Campus. Please refer to the corresponding Virtual Addendum included in each application.

Subchapter G Application Documents

• Instructions and Guidance (PDF)
• Narrative Document (PDF, please download and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Webinar Registration

Information Session

• August 6, 2026, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM (Register HERE)
• August 13, 2026, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM (Register HERE)

Subchapter G Timeline

Key dates from the Subchapter G application timeline are listed in the table below 

Table scrolls horizontally on small screens.

^†On or around the date listed

 Please note, applicants may contact TEA staff for clarifications regarding required fields in the application and for assembly procedures; however, an applicant must not initiate contact with any TEA staff or SBOE member regarding the content of the application from the time the application is submitted and ending on the date applicants conclude the external review process.

Navigating the Charter School Application

The Division of Charter School Authorizing is excited to announce our upcoming webinar series Navigating the Charter School Application Process. This two-part series will provide valuable insights into the process of applying for an open-enrollment charter school in Texas.  

Whether you're new to the charter school landscape or have previously applied for a charter without success, this webinar aims to provide insight into key areas of our application process well in advance of our application launch. In doing this, we hope to provide more time for applicants to build a foundation for a stronger application. 

Webinar Highlights

The Division of Charter School Authorizing conducted TWO webinars on Navigating the Charter Application. The session materials can be viewed HERE. 

On April 22, 2026, our first session, we explored: 

• Comprehensive Application Overview
• Important Timelines and Milestones
• Defining Eligibility and Strong Governance
• Meeting Community Needs

On June 12, 2026, our second session, we explored:

• Charter School State Funding
• Components of the Financial Plan
• Aspects of Charter School Operations and Facilities

Additional Resources

Other helpful resources and links. 

• Previous Charter Application Submissions
• Previous Charter Application Capacity-Interview Recordings
• TEA Grant Opportunities Page
• Federal Qualified Opportunity Zone Map