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Success Stories
Every school's journey is different. Propel works alongside school partners to strengthen their systems, strategies, and practices for long-term success. Explore how our partnerships have helped schools navigate challenges and create stronger outcomes for students, staff, and communities.
SUCCESS STORIES
Partner Schools and Programs
See how Propel's operational expertise has helped charter school partners navigate complexity, stay compliant, and focus on what matters most.
Unanimous District Approval
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
A group of community leaders in Savannah, Georgia saw students in their community leaving high school without a diploma, and believed a different model could reach them.
Turning that conviction into an approved charter meant drafting a charter petition that enumerated academic plans, multi-year budgets, a facility plan, governance documents, board training, and more – a big task for an all-volunteer charter school board trying to bring a new academic model to the community.
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel partnered with the founding board in 2024 to build and submit the petition.
- We drafted the petition for review by the district and state school boards
- We provided the resources and support the board needed to present a complete and credible plan for approval
- We developed a flexible academic model that aligns with Georgia’s requirements for public high schools
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
The founding board received a unanimous approval vote from the local school district on their first attempt in summer 2025.
6,500 students and 11 school sites protected
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
California charter school legislation created uncertainty for schools. As renewal approached for one of Propel’s partner schools, the authorizer advised closing 12 of 13 school sites to align with the legislation. This placed the school in an urgent, high-stakes situation:
- 6,500 students and families could lose access to their educational program
- Hundreds of staff positions were at risk
- The organization faced significant financial instability
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel mobilized a cross-functional team to navigate the evolving legislative landscape and identify a compliant, sustainable solution.
- Assessed new state requirements and relevant legislation
- Evaluated replication, relocation, and material revision options
- Identified a potential authorizer aligned with the school’s mission
- Developed a Material Revision proposal to expand the charter’s footprint
- Built financial projections demonstrating long-term sustainability and mutual benefit
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
Propel helped secure approval for a material revision that allowed 11 of the 12 at-risk locations to continue serving students.
- 6,500 students maintained continuity
- Hundreds of staff retained employment
- The organization avoided significant financial disruption
- The school network transitioned into compliance while maintaining its service model
Successful School Launch
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
Approval is the beginning, not the end. Once a petition is granted, the founding board has to deliver everything it promised, and our partner board in Georgia had less than twelve months between approval in fall 2025 and opening day in fall 2026:
- Secure and fully renovate a facility
- Purchase curriculum and build the academic program
- Hire and train a school leader, teachers, and staff
- Promote the new school model to prospective students, families, and community partners to meet enrollment goals
- Secure grant funding and establish a working relationship with the approving district
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel ran the parallel workstreams, building a project plan for each area and assigning a team leader to own it.
- Our academic team secured curriculum, hired and trained teachers, and established the testing and assessment plan
- We contracted and project-managed the facility renovation against an opening-day deadline
- We recruited a school leader chosen for fit with the model and its purpose, not credentials alone
- Propel teams developed the financial, marketing, and enrollment functions
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
The high school opened on time in August 2026.
- Enrollment exceeded first-day projections by 16% and is on the way to meeting the first year’s goal
- Renovation and construction were completed by the first day of school, enabling the staff and students to enjoy the unique school model
- Two million dollars in grant funding was secured to support the opening years of the school
SUCCESS STORIES
Operations Outcomes
See how Propel's operational expertise has helped charter school partners navigate complexity, stay compliant, and focus on what matters most.
THE CHALLENGE
In 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB104, which made massive changes to course grading and graduation requirements due to COVID that took effect immediately.
OUR APPROACH
Propel’s policy team quickly leveraged legal and legislative partners to create and implement policies and procedures that enhanced tracking and made record-keeping flexible and compliant with legislative requirements.
THE OUTCOME
Propel’s partner schools successfully navigated the legislation and empowered their students to adjust to the new course and graduation requirements.
THE CHALLENGE
School leaders were receiving an influx of funds from the state and were required to create and implement spending plans but were unfamiliar with the unique legislation, parameters, and nature of the grants coming through. Non-classroom-based schools and smaller LEAs were especially unsure of how they could apply funds to their unique school model.
OUR APPROACH
Propel’s Instructional team worked to liaise between school leaders, school accounting teams, legal counsel, and the CDE to support the creation of spending plans that addressed the needs of each unique school and its students. Our team supported schools in drafting plans and preparing them for board approval, in alignment with state and federal requirements. We also presented effective solutions to help schools implement actions, track spending, and monitor the effectiveness of spending plans throughout the life of each spending plan.
THE OUTCOME
Our partner schools had spending plans that represented the needs of their students. School leaders were able to focus more on increased services to people and students, and less on compliance. They also had realistic and meaningful systems to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of grant funds in addition to organized tracking systems through school staff and their accounting teams.
SUCCESS STORIES
Operations, Academics & Leadership
See how data-driven instruction and equity-focused coaching deliver measurable outcomes for students across our partner school network.
Urgent Change -> Strong Systems
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
In 2021, California’s AB104 introduced immediate changes to high school grading and graduation requirements in response to COVID-19 disruptions.
- Schools needed to quickly implement the new rules while supporting students
- Policies needed updating, records needed maintenance, and compliance policies were unclear
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel’s policy team translated the new legislation into practical guidance, policies, and procedures that school teams could implement.
- The school received a clear framework for responding to legislative changes and putting AB104 requirements into practice to meet student needs
- Built flexible record-keeping systems to allow schools to accommodate and identify how new requirements affected a student’s progress towards graduation
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
- School leaders had confidence in navigating and applying the legislation
- Schools maintained compliance and academic record integrity
- Students were able to meet new graduation requirements during an unprecedented time
1 Year’s Math Score Growth in 8 Weeks
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
School leaders across a charter school network had access to valuable student-level data, but lacked the tools and training to consistently use it to guide decisions.
- Important decisions were influenced by anecdotal evidence and intuition more than data
- Leaders needed training in using data effectively to improve student success
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel trained school leaders to confidently interpret and apply student-level data to improve instruction and support.
- Identified students needing additional support, including access to A-G coursework
- Used data to target improvements in course offerings, interventions, and instruction
- Established a cycle of identify, act, and monitor to track student outcomes
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
School leaders began using student-level data to make more targeted decisions about course placement, instructional support, and student interventions.
- Students demonstrated one year of math growth in just eight weeks following data-informed instructional changes
- Schools shifted toward a more consistent, evidence-based approach to decision-making
Stronger Equity Monitoring Systems
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
Achievement gaps were evident across racial groups and among students with specific needs, including English Learners and students with IEPs in Propel’s partner school. The data raised an important question: how could schools move beyond identifying gaps to understanding the experiences and instructional practices contributing to them and ultimately create more equitable opportunities for all students?
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel took a data-informed approach that combined academic outcomes with student experience and educator practice.
- Analyzed academic outcomes and A-G course assignments by student group
- Reviewed feedback on students’ sense of belonging and engagement
- Provided professional development on implicit bias and high expectations
- Built ongoing systems for leaders to regularly analyze disaggregated student data
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
- Disaggregated data became a regular part of instructional and equity conversations
- Schools strengthened ongoing monitoring of A-G access and academic outcomes
33 Future School Administrators Prepared
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
Several school partners came to Propel with a shared concern: how to close the achievement gap by strengthening the quality of their instructional staff and school leaders.
- Aspiring school leaders lacked administrative credentials
- The cost of credentialing and program availability were barriers to achievement
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel gathered data to better understand their needs and designed a program.
- Identified professional development funding that could cover credentialing costs and helped schools incorporate the goal into their LCAPs
- Partnered with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) to create a cohort-based induction program
- Offered pathways to Preliminary and Clear Administrative Credentials
- Matched participants with experienced, credentialed mentors for ongoing support
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
- 33 school leaders enrolled, supported by 8 mentors
- Program adopted as an ongoing LCAP goal by participating schools
- Equipped leaders to make more effective, student-centered decisions
SUCCESS STORIES
Academic Impact
See how data-driven instruction and equity-focused coaching deliver measurable outcomes for students across our partner school network.
1 Year's Growth in 8 Weeks
THE CHALLENGE
School leaders in a charter school network were making decisions based on anecdotal evidence and gut feelings. Student-level data was available to make more informed decisions, but they lacked the knowledge of the data system and needed data analysis training.
OUR APPROACH
Propel’s Schools and Instruction team created training for the Principals and Assistant Principal groups to make more informed decisions about programs and instruction using these data sets. The goal was that these leaders would guide their teachers to use the data as they supported individual students.
THE OUTCOME
Leaders were able to make informed decisions about which students needed a-g classes, improving equity. They also saw where to add more direct instruction classes to support math growth. The leadership team saw one year’s growth in math scores in eight weeks, thanks to changes made using the data!
THE CHALLENGE
Propel’s Instructional team analyzed California a-g course assignment statistics and English and Math student performance data. It was clear that there were achievement gaps that were apparent by race and student identity group (i.e., English Learners and students with IEPs).
OUR APPROACH
The Propel Instructional team reviewed data from students about their sense of belonging in the schools and identified areas of opportunity for school sites. We then held a training for school leaders titled Implicit Bias and High Expectations Professional Development for the leaders to help them better support all students in the classroom.
THE OUTCOME
Our schools are now proactively analyzing and monitoring student data to increase equity in the schools, as seen in a-g course assignments and other academic outcomes.
SUCCESS STORIES
Partnerships & Community Engagement
A deep look at how Propel helps schools better engage their community and educational stakeholders to increase impact.
28% Enrollment Increase
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
Our partner charter network had team members responsible for supporting enrollment by generating leads in the community and following up with all interested families. This model had limitations:
- The skills and work required were hard to find in one person, so team members tended to perform half of the role well.
- School sites had inconsistent enrollment results and community engagement with this model.
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel took over the employment and leadership of this team. The team was divided into two roles–enrollment and community outreach.
- The enrollment team helped interested families/students complete registration.
- The community outreach team engaged with partner–schools, organizations, and civic leaders–and attended events to raise awareness of the schools and promote the schools locally.
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
Over the following two years, the network saw:
- A 28% increase in student enrollment while school enrollment declined across the state of California
- A doubling of its number of community partners and increased engagement in the community
Streamlined District Communication & Relations
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel identified an opportunity to make the oversight process more proactive, transparent, and efficient by creating a centralized, web-based performance management system for school-authorizer communication.
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
The system transformed oversight from a reactive, request-driven process into a more proactive and transparent exchange.
- Faster, easier access to school information for district staff
- Greater confidence that authorizers have a complete, current picture of school operations
As one school leader shared:
“The oversight website has definitely increased communication with my authorizer. It puts everything in one place, and we have the ability to update it and make changes in real time when we get requests.”
Adversarial -> Partnership
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel’s District Relations team partnered closely with the school leader to take a proactive, relationship-centered approach to authorizer engagement. Rather than waiting for formal oversight or renewal conversations, the team created regular opportunities for district leaders and board members to better understand the school, its model, and its impact on students and families.
- Built a consistent relationship with a key board member
- Established regular check-ins with the district’s charter liaison
- Connected school leadership with local community organizations
- Shared regular updates, accomplishments, and evidence of impact with district leaders
- Invited board members to school events to experience the school firsthand
OUR PARTNERS SUCCESS
SUCCESS STORIES
Leadership In Action
A deep look at how Propel brings instructional leaders together to create shared standards that transform student outcomes across an entire network.
THE CHALLENGE
Propel identified some inconsistencies in instructional policies and engagement within a charter school network we serve.
OUR APPROACH
The Propel Instructional team brought together the Instructional Coaches, Assistant Principals, and Principals of the charter school network. As a group, we:
- Collectively defined high-quality instruction
- Collectively drafted a rubric to measure our definition of high-quality instruction
- Learned about 10-minute Mini Observations
- Reviewed the digital SOTEL (Safety, Objectives, Teaching, Engaging, & Learning) observation form and implemented it in some regions
- Implemented a standard of APs observing every teacher each semester to provide consistent feedback
THE OUTCOME
Our charter school’s leaders now have a more consistent standard of academic engagement and expectations for students. This has led to an increase in student success indicators and teacher engagement.
SUCCESS STORIES
Student Programs & Enrichment
Four stories of how Propel helped partner schools enroll more students, expand program reach, and build lasting relationships that fuel long-term growth.
Better Systems = Greater Impact
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
School leaders faced a complex influx of state and federal funding, with each source carrying different rules, timelines, and compliance requirements.
Smaller LEAs especially lacked the capacity to navigate requirements and build strategic spending plans.
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Propel served as a strategic bridge between school leaders, accounting teams, legal counsel, and the California Department of Education (CDE), helping schools translate complex funding requirements into practical, effective spending plans.
- Assessed each school’s funding, needs, and priorities
- Supported plan development, refinement, and board approval
- Helped schools implement systems to track expenditures and monitor progress
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
- Schools developed funding plans tailored to their students and programs
- Leaders gained a clearer path to use grant funds strategically
- Leaders could evaluate both compliance and student impact
Growing Demand: 1 to 60 students in 8 months
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
California families who homeschool their children direct their education themselves, and many use charter-administered funds to purchase outside enrichment.
- Homeschool families need partners they can trust to supplement the curriculum they deliver at home — particularly the collaborative, hands-on learning that is hardest to recreate alone
- As homeschooling in California has grown, demand has outpaced the supply of vendors able to offer that range of academic support
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Rather than advise from the outside, Propel offered a solution.
- We identified a region where young family populations and homeschool enrollment were both rising
- We founded The Learning Canvas — securing a facility, hiring staff, and selecting a project-based curriculum designed for what homeschool families were seeking
- We secured vendor approval from ten charter schools so families could apply their educational funds directly to their TLC experience
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
The Learning Canvas opened and grew!
- Growing enrollment supported an expanded staffing structure and deepened the overall student learning experience
TLC created a thriving community of homeschool families who connect, share resources, exchange ideas, and support one another, and a peer community for students to build friendships and learn collaboratively.
500+ Family Members Engaged
OUR PARTNER’S CHALLENGE
Our partner charter network offered team sports, but the games ran during the school day.
- Families couldn’t attend, missing the sideline moments that connect a parent to their child’s school
- Evening play wasn’t a simple schedule change
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
Rather than shift the season, Propel provided a dedicated lead and logistics team and built a single marquee evening event that created an occasion and earned coaches’ buy-in. The event also helped the network move the needle on its LCAP parent engagement goal.
OUR PARTNER’S SUCCESS
Every campus in the network participated with over 500 student-athletes, staff, and family members turning out.
SUCCESS STORIES
Growth in Action
Four stories of how Propel helped partner schools enroll more students, expand program reach, and build lasting relationships that fuel long-term growth.
+28% Students Served
THE CHALLENGE
Our partner charter network had team members charged with supporting enrollment by generating leads in the community and following up with all interested families. This model had limitations:
- The skills and work required were hard to find in one person, so team members tended to perform one-half of the role well.
- School sites had inconsistent enrollment results and community engagement with this model.
OUR APPROACH
Propel took over the employment and leadership of this team. The team was divided into two roles–enrollment and community outreach.
- The enrollment team helps interested families/students complete registration.
- The community outreach team engages with partners–schools, organizations, and civic leaders–and attends events to raise awareness of the schools and promote the schools locally.
THE OUTCOME
Over the following two years, the network saw:
- A 28% increase in students served while public school enrollment declined in California
- A doubling of its number of community partners
- An exponential increase in engagement with community partners
4× ADA Growth · 7 → 17 Counties
THE CHALLENGE
A charter school network offered online independent study programs in only a small percentage of its charters due to legacy concerns. This limited offering had several problems:
- Competitive postures between different school sites regarding enrollment credits
- Difficulty moving students from in-person to online learning when a transfer across charters was required
- Limited service area due to the location of the charters offering online programs
OUR APPROACH
Propel engaged multiple teams–Policy, Legal, Academics, and Enrollment–to work with all stakeholders–school administrators and authorizing districts–to clear the way to allow every charter in the network to add online programs to their offerings.
THE OUTCOME
As a result, the charter network saw:
- Improved service levels to students transferring between online and in-person learning
- A 4x increase in ADA earned through online programs in a year with 18% total ADA growth in the network
- A 4 percentage point increase in student progression (academic performance) for the network
- An increase in serviceable counties from 7 to 17 for online programs.
Streamlined District Relations
THE CHALLENGE
District authorizer staff frequently send a large number of requests to school leaders for access to oversight documents and additional school information.
OUR APPROACH
Propel found an opportunity to streamline communication between schools and their authorizer with a compliant, proactive, and transparent solution by creating a web-based performance management system compiling all documents an authorizer might request or need in one location. Propel’s web-based system prevents a bottleneck in the district’s requests and is also a cost-effective solution for school districts. (Most districts pay to use the EpiCenter platform as a management system for their schools, but smaller school districts are less likely to purchase this platform.)
THE OUTCOME
Since the implementation of Propel's solution, school district staff have expressed appreciation for the transparency and ease of access to information, and school leaders have assurance that communication with the district is thorough. One school leader said, "The oversight website has definitely increased communication with my authorizer. It puts everything in one place, and we have the ability to update it and make changes in real time when we get requests."
Adversarial → Partnership
THE CHALLENGE
Historically, the District Board of Education and the Superintendent were adversarial to our charter school partner. Our partner school was the only charter the district authorized within its boundaries.
OUR APPROACH
Propel’s District Relations team and the charter school leader worked together to build relationships with the district authorizer and community. Propel and the school leader built a relationship with a board member. The school leader became involved in community groups to foster other key relationships. Propel helped proactively share information and updates with board members, invite board members to school events, and schedule recurring check-in meetings with the district’s charter liaison.
THE OUTCOME
The board members’ new knowledge of the school’s program and offerings increased visibility for the school in board meetings. The board’s regular exposure to the school’s successes improved the relationship greatly and paved the way for a positive renewal.
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