THE CHARTER COLLABORATIVE

The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control established the charter school office, now known as The Charter Collaborative, in 1995. Since that time, the office has grown to serve nearly 12,000 students across 17 public school academies throughout the state of Michigan.

The Charter Collaborative partners with schools and communities to advance public education through strong leadership, meaningful accountability, and equitable opportunities for students. As an authorizer, the office is committed to supporting high-quality educational experiences that help every student thrive.

Grounded in partnership and accountability, The Charter Collaborative provides support in areas including board governance, school leadership development, professional learning, compliance monitoring, and continuous school improvement. The office also invests in students and educators through scholarship opportunities, leadership development initiatives, and programs such as the Cardinal Partnership Program.

In June 2017, The Charter Collaborative received Charter School Authorizer Accreditation from AdvancEd. In June 2022, Cognia (formerly AdvancEd) awarded the office an additional five-year accreditation term in recognition of its continued commitment to quality authorizing practices and organizational excellence.

Mission

To advance public education by partnering with charter schools to ensure strong leadership, meaningful accountability, and equitable opportunities that help every student thrive.

Vision

We envision a thriving community of charter schools where strong relationships, innovation, and shared accountability create meaningful opportunities for every student.

The Charter Collaborative values collaboration, transparency, stewardship, innovation, and continuous improvement. By fostering strong relationships with boards, school leaders, educators, families, and community stakeholders, the office strives to create lasting educational impact across the communities it serves.

To learn more about Public School Academies or Charter Schools, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.