The ACE Incubator provides an array of training, technical assistance, and coaching to educators, parents, and others who are planning to start a new school. The Incubator helps design teams create clear goals related to high achievement for all students, develop curriculum and school procedures to operationalize the achievement goals, and encourage people to think creatively. Likewise, the Incubator process assists design teams in understanding school budgeting, personnel issues, reporting requirements, and other issues that can also make or break a school. If a charter school is being created, ACE supports the charter process (writing the charter through charter approval).

During the Incubator phase, ACE works closely with the partnering school district and community organizations to establish policies, procedures, and timelines that allow for the district to sustain the newly created district schools.