Expansion Subgrant Competition

The West Virginia Professional Charter School Board (WVPCSB), serving as the state’s charter school authorizer, has launched its Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Expansion Subgrant Competition under the Charter Schools Program (CSP) State Entity grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. This initiative is part of a five-year, $12.3 million CSP award intended to increase the number of authorized charter schools and expand student enrollment across West Virginia by 2028. WVPCSB administers competitive subgrants for both new and expanding charter schools, with at least 90% of funds reserved for subgrants, 7% for technical assistance, and no more than 3% for administration. The FY26 subgrant round focuses on supporting a single expansion charter school, defined as one that significantly increases enrollment or adds one or more grade levels over the life of the grant. Eligible applicants must already be operating as public charter schools in West Virginia and meet the federal definition of high-quality charter schools, including demonstrating academic growth and subgroup performance on assessments such as the West Virginia General Summative Assessment or comparable tools. Schools that previously received CSP subgrants must also show at least three years of academic progress to qualify again. A total of $1,599,000 is allocated for this expansion competition. Awards are distributed based on projected enrollment and a per-student formula: $2,000 per student during the planning period and $3,000 per student during the implementation phase. The maximum award for any applicant is capped at $1,750,000. The full award amount is obligated in FY26 but can be used across a grant performance period of up to 36 months. Planning periods of up to 18 months are allowed, and continuation funding is contingent on satisfactory performance and compliance with monitoring requirements. Applicants must meet several eligibility and administrative requirements, including providing a notice of intent to apply by February 27, 2026, and submitting a complete application by March 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Applications must demonstrate adequate community support, educational need, academic performance, fiscal responsibility, and plans for future sustainability. Submissions are reviewed for completeness and eligibility before being evaluated by a peer review panel. Peer reviewers assess applications across twelve criteria, including innovation, leadership capacity, governance, demand, and readiness to serve diverse student populations. Final funding decisions are made by WVPCSB board members in a public meeting. The subgrant timeline includes a pre-application webinar (January 22), a pre-application check deadline (February 23), and award announcements tentatively scheduled for April 2026. Selected grantees are expected to participate in a post-award webinar and may begin accessing funds after receiving final approval and completing reimbursement setup steps. During the grant period, WVPCSB provides technical assistance through multiple partners and requires annual reports, financial audits, and compliance with federal and state laws. Allowable uses of funds include professional development, startup supplies and equipment, facilities renovations (excluding construction), transportation setup, community outreach, and other startup costs not covered by other funding sources. Subgrantees must maintain autonomy over their budgets and governance, even when partnering with education service providers or management organizations. Compliance with all federal assurances is mandatory, and charter schools must operate equitably and without discriminatory practices in admissions, staffing, or service delivery.

Emphasize academic growth evidence; align budgets with planning/implementation phases; clarify governance independence from any ESP/CMO; include SMART goals; follow monitoring and sustainability guidance.