Charter School Sponsors

According to T.C.A § 49-13-104, a sponsor is a proposed governing body filing an application for the establishment of a public charter school.

Tennessee law limits who may sponsor a charter school and prescribes what type of entity may operate a charter school. Only entities that are exempt from federal taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may operate a public charter school in Tennessee, and a sponsor may not promote the agenda of any religious denomination or religiously affiliated entity.

A charter sponsor may not be any of the following:

  • A for-profit entity
  • Non-public school as defined in T.C.A. § 49-6-3001
  • Other private, religious, or church school
  • A postsecondary institution not regionally accredited

Sponsoring a Public Charter School

Charter schools can be established in one of the following ways:

  • Creating a new public charter school or opportunity public charter school
  • Converting a traditional public school to a charter school
  • Letter of Intent (LOI) Process Overview
  • Initial Application Process Overview
  • Amended Application Process Overview
  • Commission Appeal Process Overview

Funding a Charter School

Tennessee state law outlines in T.C.A. § 49-13-112 how public charter schools are funded. Generally,  public charter schools may receive funding through the following sources:

  • State and local funds allocated to the authorizing local education agency (LEA);
  • Federal grants;
  • Grants, gifts, devises or donations from any private sources;
  • State funds appropriated for the support of the public charter school, if any; and
  • Any other funds that may be received by the LEA.

More information related to funding sources is available at the following websites:

Resources for Sponsors