Charter School Authorizing Program

Administrative Office: Volunteers of America Education Center, 924 - 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota  55404

School Locations: Sponsored charter schools are located at various sites throughout Minnesota

Administrative Office Days/Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00p.m.

Fees:  Schools that Volunteers of America of Minnesota sponsors are assessed the statutory annual fee of $30 per student for the first three years of operation and $10 per student thereafter.

Organizations Served: Charter schools throughout Minnesota

Contact: Katie Piehl
Phone: 612-201-0292
Email: kpiehl@voamn.org

This program has its own website as well: The Volunteers of America of Minnesota Charter School Network. 

Volunteers of America of Minnesota was the first non-profit charter school sponsor in the nation. Charter school sponsors are responsible for monitoring the academic, financial, and managerial performance of sponsored schools and for holding them accountable for the performance outcomes contained in their charter.  While we are not directly responsible for the ultimate success or failure of charter schools we sponsor, we can have a major impact on outcomes by providing strong oversight, accountability and resources to help them succeed.   Volunteers of America of Minnesota practices a model of charter school sponsorship that goes beyond the compliance-based role outlined in state statute.  We engage in proactive relationships and add value to the schools with which we work.  During the start-up phase, Volunteers of America of Minnesota works closely with school founding groups to ensure that tasks necessary to a successful opening are accomplished in a timely manner.  Once operational, Volunteers of America of Minnesota vigilantly monitors the financial, governance and academic performance of its schools through frequent communication and site visits and regular review of financial and program documents. When signs of trouble arise, we work closely with the school’s board to problem solve and identify resources that may be helpful. For a list of the charter schools we currently sponsor, or for more information, please visit: http://www.voamncharters.org.