North Star Fellowship application opens for third cohort of leaders seeking to launch new Connecticut charter schools

CONNECTICUT — (September 15, 2026) – The Mind Trust, an education nonprofit that supports high-quality public school growth, is now accepting applications for the third cohort of the North Star Fellowship, a paid opportunity that provides school leaders with the time, resources, and strategic guidance needed to successfully launch new public charter schools in Connecticut. Applicants should complete a Letter of Intent by the priority application deadline of November 30, 2026.

“What sets the North Star Fellowship apart is the depth of support Fellows receive. From personalized coaching to hands-on guidance through every stage of launching a school, we give leaders everything they need to succeed, so all their energy can go toward serving students,” says Rebecca Greenberg-Ellis, Executive Director at The Mind Trust Connecticut.

About the North Star Fellowship

The North Star Fellowship was established in 2024 to meet the need for growing more high-quality public schools in Connecticut. Programming is based on The Mind Trust’s fellowship and investment tracks, which have supported the launch of more than 50 public charter and innovation network schools in Indiana. To ensure the fellowship builds on the strong work of the education sector in Connecticut and meets the needs of local students and families, The Mind Trust team works with Leaders for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD), a Connecticut-based education advocacy organization, and has included stakeholder engagement as an important and ongoing activity since the inception of the program.

North Star Fellows spend one to two years developing and launching a new charter school in Connecticut, earning a competitive salary with healthcare and benefits, while receiving personalized coaching and hands-on expertise across school operations and Connecticut charter approval. Fellows also receive opportunities to engage with national charter school development experts to ensure their school is well-equipped for success.

“The North Star Fellowship gives school leaders the runway, the coaching, and the community connections to turn a bold vision into a thriving public charter school,” says Georgia Lieber, Partner, North Star Fellowship at The Mind Trust.

North Star Fellowship application process

Interested applicants can learn more about the fellowship and begin their Letter of Intent today at themindtrust.org/north-star-fellowship. The priority deadline to complete the Letter of Intent is November 30, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to complete a full application in early 2027.

A strong candidate for the North Star Fellowship will possess these qualities:

• Experience launching or leading a school, team, or project, including coaching adults to achieve outstanding results for students.
• A clear vision for a school that solves a real problem for students, grounded in evidence or firsthand classroom experience.
• An unwavering belief that all students and communities deserve the opportunity to thrive.
• An entrepreneurial drive that uses resilience, fortitude, and visionary solutions to overcome challenges.
• The ability to live and work in Connecticut by the start of the fellowship in late summer 2027.

Candidates who meet several but not necessarily all of these qualifications are still encouraged to apply.

North Star Fellowship’s First Two Cohorts

The North Star Fellowship’s first cohort includes three schools and their fellows: Modesto Montero-Forman at Libertas Academy Charter School, David Brown at PROUD Academy, and Dr. Monica Brase at TransformED Academy. The second cohort includes four schools and their fellows: Lily Zhao for Brass City Charter School, Gianna Cassetta for The Commons Public Charter School, Daniel Hicks for Danbury International Academy Charter School, and Dr. Stephanie Douglas for Rose Academy.

To learn more about the North Star Fellows, visit themindtrust.org/fellows. For more information about all of The Mind Trust’s fellowships, visit themindtrust.org/fellowships.