Information for sponsors and schools

Pathways to becoming a charter school 

There are two pathways to becoming a charter school. Either:

• a potential sponsor applies to open a new charter school or
• a community or board of an existing state school, together with a potential sponsor, applies to convert to a charter school.

This year (2024) there's a process underway to select sponsors to open schools in term 1 next year and through 2025 and 2026. Find out more about this process on the Application Information page. 

Next year (2025) there will be further opportunities to apply.

If you are potentially interested in establishing a charter school in future, this page sets out some points you may want to consider. 

What’s involved in establishing a charter school  

Charter schools are all about improving outcomes for students. 

Operating as a charter school means greater flexibility in how you support your students to attend and achieve, with the ability to make your own decisions about teaching, curriculum, governance, hours and days of operation, and funding. 

In exchange for greater flexibility, you will be subject to increased oversight and accountability. 

Find out more detail about what’s involved in operating a charter school on the Key features page. 

Your proposal to establish a charter school will have to be approved by the independent Charter School Authorisation Board. The Board will take into account a number of factors, including: 

•  the focus of the proposed school 
•  the capability of the sponsor 
•  the standard of tuition to be provided 
•  the level of support from the community 
•  financial implications  
• the potential impact on the wider state and state-integrated school network, given the proposed location, anticipated roll and other factors.  

You may want to start talking to your community about these factors as you consider whether to apply.  

If you would like to be kept up to date on the process, email info@charterschools.govt.nz to go on our mailing list. 

You can also view/download:

Charter Schools Introduction Factsheet

Charter Schools Funding Factsheet