Charter Schools Newsletter | September 2025

Impact 30 celebrates GVSU's 30-year anniversary of authorizing charter public schools by supporting bold, innovative ideas in our charter schools through 30 grants totaling $500,000.

All applications for Impact 30 grants are due November 19, 2025. Teachers, support staff, school leaders, and even students are encouraged to apply. Don't wait!

The Charter Schools Office is now part of the Division of K-12 Education Innovation and Scholar Success, which includes the CSO and two other entities with connections to GVSU charter schools.

Two GVSU charter schools are embracing joy, risk, and a relentless belief to turn “you don’t know what you’re doing” into a movement that’s changing the story for kids in Detroit.

According to the latest rankings by U.S. News and World Report, three of the top 4 charter public high schools in Michigan are authorized by GVSU, including #1.

Fostering Leadership Academy, is doing what few schools have done before -- focusing on mental health support as a way to help children achieve academic success.

A reminder that all schools serving students in grades 8-12 are required to provide families with the Post-Graduation Opportunities Informational Packet in electronic or non-electronic form by October 1.

While a district may add the packet to its website or other existing resources, it must also be directly distributed to students.

GVSU invites board presidents of GVSU-authorized charter schools to join fellow board leaders for the 3rd Annual Board Presidents Leadership Retreat in Grand Rapids on October 16. 

As schools craft assessment calendars for the year, GVSU once again recommends using the following windows for administering NWEA assessments:

Additionally, as good practice, K-8 schools should be prepared to pay invoices for NWEA testing upon receipt of invoice. This may mean payment will occur before receiving funds from the Benchmark Assessment Grant. 

If you have any questions, please contact GVSU School Support Specialist Jeff Maxwell (maxwelje@gvsu.edu).  

Grove Montessori: A Wildflower Public School is a micro Montessori school serving families on the south side of Grand Rapids

The Michigan Department of Education recently released memos on a number of topics, including: