North Star Fellowship

Growing Great Leaders

The North Star Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for exceptional school leaders to develop and launch new charter schools for Connecticut families. According to a report from the Connecticut Charter Schools Association, during the 2023-2024 school year, more than 5,000 Connecticut students were on a waitlist to enroll in a public charter school. The fellowship supports the growth of new school models, replication of existing models, or expansion of existing schools. 

Like the Charter School Fellowship in Indiana, North Star Fellows will have the opportunity to sharpen their leadership, perfect their school model, and collaborate with other leaders to create a high-quality public school. Fellows receive tailored support to design a school that meets real community needs, delivers strong academic results, and has sustainable operational and financial systems. Through one-on-one coaching, visits to high-performing schools across the country, access to expert partners, and protected time to plan, North Star Fellows leave the program with a clear path to launching or growing a great school.

The Mind Trust has supported the growth of some of Indianapolis’ largest and most effective charter school networks, including Christel House Indianapolis, Herron Classical Schools, KIPP Indy Schools, Paramount Schools of Excellence, and Purdue Polytechnic High Schools.

Whether you’re an established leader with a proven track record or someone with a bold new idea for what school could be, the fellowship gives you the space, structure, and support to bring that vision to life. We’re looking for leaders who are ready to build the next generation of public schools—schools that are excellent, student-focused, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.