Each year brings new opportunities and challenges for Colorado’s charter public schools. During the 2025–26 school year, CSI focused on strengthening its work as an authorizer while responding to what schools and students need.
That work is captured in our 2025–26 Annual Report: Expanding What’s Possible.
Throughout the year, we expanded support for schools, invested in systems that reduce barriers, strengthened resources for students with increasing needs, and shared our expertise beyond the schools we directly authorize.
Meeting Schools Where They Are
Strong authorizing requires high expectations, but it also requires recognizing that schools need different types of support at different times.
This year, CSI is continuing to expand its tiered approach across departments, providing more tailored assistance to schools facing greater challenges while ensuring all schools had access to guidance, resources, and technical expertise.
We strengthened leadership and governance support, including executive coaching tailored to individual school leaders’ goals and peer connections with leaders of similar schools. CSI’s cadre of governance consultants also observed every school board at least once, helping us identify strengths and opportunities for additional training and resources.
We also expanded support in areas including literacy, crisis prevention, and school safety.
CSI’s leadership team and board chair visited High Rockies Community School.
Students enjoy an outdoor learning session at High Rockies Community School.
Responding to Increasing Student Needs
Schools continue to report that they feel supported by CSI in serving students with disabilities. CSI increased its investment in special education support through technical assistance and tailored support, professional learning, and funding opportunities such as the High Needs Grant and Emergency Assistance Fund.
These investments reflect what schools have told us: meaningful partnership means listening to their needs and translating that feedback into practical support.
Creating Opportunity for Small Schools
Small schools can offer close-knit communities, distinctive models, and public school options in communities with few alternatives. They also face challenges of scale, from staffing to facilities and operational costs.
In 2025–26, CSI developed a small schools initiative focused on practical ways to address those challenges. This included laying the groundwork for a CSI-managed student information system, exploring more affordable insurance and benefit options, and providing additional professional development funding.
The goal is to strengthen sustainability without compromising what makes these schools valuable to their communities.
Building Capacity Beyond CSI Schools
CSI’s work also extends beyond the schools we authorize.
Through the CSI School Food Authority and our role as a fiscal agent, we support charter schools across Colorado with specialized systems, expertise, and access to resources.
CSI also shared its experience nationally through a presentation on optimizing conditions for innovation at the National Charter Schools Institute conference and received NCSI’s Bold by Choice Award for its work to strengthen authorizing practices and expand opportunities for students.
CSI hosted its annual SFA Back-to-School Training with 85 school nutrition professionals participating.
Looking Ahead
Expanding what’s possible requires schools and authorizers to listen to one another, adapt as needs change, and continually strengthen the systems that support students.
That same mindset will guide implementation of CSI’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan as we continue refining tiered supports, strengthening opportunities for small and emerging school models, and creating the conditions for schools and students to thrive.
We are grateful to the educators, school leaders, board members, families, students, and partners who make this work possible.
Explore the full 2025-26 Annual Report.