The U.S. Department of Education awards grants to Charter Management Organizations (CMOs) for the replication and expansion of high-quality charter schools (CMO Grants). The Department defines CMOs as nonprofit organizations that operate or manage a network of charter schools linked by centralized support, operations, and oversight.
This CSP CMO grantee overview covers the work of Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) in Los Angeles, whose mission is “to reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.”
This overview includes key elements of ECS' project, a description of major grant activities with a general timeline, highlights of project successes and lessons learned, and quotes from ECS team members and administration.