
The need for coaching and support does not end when the design team
becomes a new school. Once the first school year begins, the staff and
parent leaders continue to need regular coaching and support from experienced
educators in order to maximize the likelihood of success. Coaches work
with schools (principals, teachers, and parents) approximately 12 hours
each month.
Beyond coaching and training, ACE raises funds for each small autonomous
school that is distributed in the form of start-up grants and stipends.
As all of ACE schools have graduated enrollment growth plans - beginning
with approximately 120 students and growing to nearly 350 within 3 years
- their small size prevents the advantage of economies of scales. Once
ACE supported schools reach full capacity, the amount of supplemental
funding needed can be managed by the school writing small grants. In
the case of ACE charter schools, the ACE Public School Network acts
as the CMO (Charter Management Organization) by providing operational
and instructional support.