The Office of New Schools (ONS) at Chicago Public Schools oversees all chartered and alternative schools created prior to 2005, and then all schools created through the Renaissance 2010 initiative. The Renaissance initiative was begun by Mayor Richard Daley in 2004 in response to the popularity of chartered schools in the city. The goal of the initiative is to create 100 new district schools by 2010.
Three types of schools may be created through the Renaissance initiative (and subsequently overseen by the ONS): Chartered, contracted, and semi-autonomous performance schools. The district employs all three platforms in creating new schools. The type of school determines its degree of autonomy from the central office, its flexibility over staffing and management issues, and its structure of governance.
Currently the ONS oversees 125 schools in the city, 94 of which were created through the Renaissance initiative. The district has a total of approximately 680 schools. There are 7 more Renaissance schools approved to open in 2010.
Chartered and contracted schools are operated by a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which signs a five-year agreement with the district to operate the school.
The ONS assigns a school support coordinator a portfolio of schools that he works closely with at various levels. The school support coordinator serves as the liaison between the schools and the district.
The Renaissance Schools Fund (RSF) is a nonprofit organization that supports Renaissance 2010 through fundraising and the recruitment and development of schools.
The Chicago Public Schools Autonomy Chart outlines differences in chartered, contracted, and performance schools along the lines of curriculum and calendar, staffing and management.
The Chicago Public Schools Funding Chart outlines how school funds are determined.
Reporting structure:
The Executive Officer of the Office of New Schools reports directly to the district CEO.
Find the Chicago Public Schools organizational chart here.
Website:
http://www.ren2010.cps.k12.il.us
Contacts:
Joe Giambrone
External Affairs, Office of New Schools
Chicago Public Schools
jagiambrone@cps.k12.il.us
773-553-2900
*Image: Mayo Clinic
