Across Florida, many charter schools are already welcoming students back to campus. For high-performing charters, the first day of school isn’t the starting line, it is a milestone in a much longer runway of planning, preparation, and strategic alignment. At the Florida Charter Institute (FCI), we define “readiness” not by how quickly a school opens, but by how intentionally it begins. The schools that open with momentum don’t get there by chance. They do it by investing in systems, people, and purpose before the first bell rings. So, what does it really mean to be “charter ready” in 2025? Six Dimensions of Readiness That Matter Most 1. Operational Readiness, Precision Behind the Scenes: Carlos Capellan, FCI District Director, Leadership – Operations Systems, systems, systems! Clean operations are the backbone of a smooth school launch. Thinking beyond updated schedules, operational readiness means transportation contracts locked in, staffing rosters finalized, and student information systems ready to go. Assume the best AND prepare for the challenges. Even the best laid out plans don’t always go exactly to plan. The more proactive, organized and detailed you are in your approach, the easier it will be to react to any shift that arises. The detailed
