Minnesota Charters for Urban Excellence (MN-CUE)
 CSP Services to MN-CUE Schools

Overview

Charter School Partners MN Charters for Urban Excellence (MN-CUE) works with new and emerging groups to start new charter schools and replicate highly successful schools – both Minnesota home grown as well as nationally successful models. CSP will work with a select group of charter schools committed to developing high performing academic programs, particularly as it relates to serving at-risk students in the urban core.  MN-CUE services include:

School Leadership Recruitment:  A central ingredient in creating successful high-achieving schools is recruiting and developing talented and motivated school leaders who are committed to building schools in under-served communities around measurable student outcomes, strong standards, high expectations and are prepared to do whatever it takes to help students succeed.

To that end, CSP is partnering with the highly successful Building Excellent Schools (BES) (www.buildingexcellentschools.org), Boston, Massachusetts, to identify and recruit top national school leaders to go through BES’ two-year intensive effort culminating in the opening of a high performing charter school in Minnesota. 

In addition, CSP will be recruiting proven leaders to be placed in new charters or existing schools that show great promise for success. 

Walton Family Foundation Grant: CSP is the exclusive Walton Family Foundation Partner in Minnesota.  A local eight-member CSP panel reviews proposals for new start-ups and makes recommendations to the Walton Foundation for start-up funds of $250,000.00, with the possibility of an additional $250,000.00, depending upon the success of the school in closing the achievement gap (click here). 

The CSP Grant Review Committee consists of the following individuals:
   Helen Fisk - Global Academy
   Allison Barmann - McKinsey & Company, Itasca Project
   Chuck Herdegen - Herdegen & Associates
   Cindy Murphy - Minnesota Dept of Education
   Daniel Sellers - Teach for America
   Joanne Walz - The Minneapolis Foundation
   Lucy Swift - Twin Cities Public Television
   Scott Flemming - LearningWorks at Blake School

Start-Up Consultation Package: The most critical period for any non-profit organization, particularly the new charter school, is the start-up and stabilization period. CSP’s Leadership Team and charter school start-up consultants have been responsible for the successful start-up of dozens of Minnesota’s charter schools. Serving not as a vendor but rather as a true partner, CSP will help guide the new school through the unique challenges of a Minnesota charter school start-up.

Even with a great vision and mission, business plan, school leadership and seemingly adequate financing, the pre-development phase and particularly the first year of operation are critical in the long-term success of the school. To that end, Charter School Partners MN-CUE initiative requires a multi-year relationship – from the pre-application process through end of the first school year.

A full range of start-up services are available for the MN-CUE Partner.  Please inquire with any of CSP’s Leadership Team for specifics.