Join the Florida Charter Institute in Orlando
The Florida Charter Institute is proud to present 8 sessions at the 2026 Florida Charter School Conference and School Choice Summit (FCSC+SCS). Our sessions cover new school start-up, authorizing, school finance, enrollment, instruction and more. Here’s where and when to find us. We hope to see you there!
Nov. 17–19, 2026
Tuesday – Thursday
Caribe Royale
Orlando, Florida
8 FCI Sessions
Workshops & breakouts
Booth #206
Visit us in the Exhibit Hall
About the Conference
The FCSC+SCS is presented each year by the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice and the Florida Education Foundation. It brings together 800–900 authorizers, board members, administrators, educators and school stakeholders, plus more than 350 exhibitor representatives.
- Location: Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel & Convention Center, 8101 World Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
- Registration: $420 if you register online by October 27, 2026; $546 starting October 28.
- Hotel: The conference rate is $189/night plus tax. Book by October 27, 2026 online or at 1-800-823-8300.
Florida Charter Institute Sessions
Tuesday, November 17
New Schools3-Hour Pre-Conference Workshop
New School Institute: Preparing to Open in 2027
For newly approved charter schools getting ready to open in 2027. We walk through what it takes to go from an approved application to opening day: governance, compliance, staffing, enrollment, finances, facilities and culture. Every participant leaves with an action plan and our New School Manual. Pre-conference workshops require separate registration.
Presenters: Jessica Chapman, Christine Mentis and Curtis Fuller (Florida Charter Institute)
AuthorizingBreakout Session
From Campus to Classroom: The Expanding Role of Colleges in Charter School Innovation
Florida state colleges can now sponsor charter schools. This session is a practical guide for colleges thinking about authorizing: the six pillars of sponsor oversight, the full charter review cycle, and how sponsorship strengthens the K-12-to-college pipeline.
Presenters: Christy Noe, Ph.D., Susie Miller Carello and Curtis Fuller (Florida Charter Institute)
FinanceBreakout Session
Upgraded Financial Dashboard for Florida’s Charters
Florida’s charter school financial reports haven’t changed since 2013, and they miss the warning signs that predict closure more than a year ahead. Get a preview of FCI’s new financial dashboard and the early-warning measures our research found, and help shape the future of financial reporting.
Presenters: Curtis Fuller and Raj Takkar
Wednesday, November 18
Enrollment & FamiliesBreakout Session
What Parents Actually Want: The Enrollment Experience That Drives Choice, Trust and Retention
Families choose and stay with a school because of trust, culture and everyday interactions, not advertising. We follow the family journey from first inquiry to enrollment to retention and share practical habits, like fast follow-up and visible leadership, that keep families with a school.
Presenters: Jessica Chapman and Carlos Capellan (Florida Charter Institute) with Carlos Alvarez (SLAM Miami)
ApplicationsWorking Session
Forging a New Path for Florida Charter School Applications
Florida’s model charter application hasn’t had a ground-up review in more than a decade. This is a hands-on working session, not a lecture: bring your experience and help FCI sketch a modern application that measures what it really takes to open a high-quality school.
Presenters: Susie Miller Carello, Christy Noe, Ph.D. and Curtis Fuller (Florida Charter Institute)
Founders & BoardsBreakout Session
Perfect Pitch: Making the Capacity Interview Sing and Preparing for Every Pitch Beyond
An interactive session for founders, board members and leadership teams preparing for the capacity interview and every pitch after it. Sharpen your elevator speech, explain what makes your school different, and learn the messaging tools that win authorization and community support.
Presenters: Susie Miller Carello and Jessica Chapman (Florida Charter Institute), Daisy Gonzalez-Diego (DGD Communications) and Reagan Chalmers
Thursday, November 19
InstructionBreakout Session
The Science of Math
What the Science of Reading did for literacy, cognitive science can do for math. We share the research on math fluency, explicit instruction and worked examples, and well-structured practice, then turn it into classroom-ready strategies with curriculum samples and video.
Presenters: Paul Powell (True North Classical Academies)
School CultureBreakout Session
The Connected Classroom: Strategies That Build Trust, Engagement, and School Community
How a Title I K-8 school builds engagement through relationships: home visits, family events, mentoring, clubs, and project-based learning that draws on teachers’ strengths. Practical strategies for classrooms where trust drives engagement and engagement drives achievement.
Presenters: Jessica Chapman (Florida Charter Institute) with Ahmet Akyurek and Patricia Pagozalski (Tallahassee School of Math and Science)
Visit Us at Booth #206
Stop by the Florida Charter Institute booth in the Exhibit Hall to meet our team, ask questions and learn how FCI supports Florida’s charter schools, from new school start-up and governance to authorizing, finance and instruction.
Exhibit Hall hours:
Tuesday, Nov. 17: 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Times and rooms are subject to change. Check the official schedule for the latest details.