North Star Fellowship

Apply Now!

The North Star Fellowship application is now open. Click here to begin your Letter of Intent. The priority deadline is Monday, November 30, 2026.

Lighting the Way for Connecticut’s Next Generation

The North Star Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for exceptional school leaders to develop and launch new charter schools for Connecticut families. The fellowship supports the growth of new school models, replication of existing models, or expansion of existing schools. 

North Star Fellows have the opportunity to sharpen their leadership, perfect their school model, and collaborate with other leaders to create a high-quality public school.

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 that drive strong academic results and are deeply connected to the communities they serve.

Comprehensive Support for the Charter School Development Process

North Star Fellows are paid one or two full years of a competitive salary with healthcare and benefits. Additionally, Fellows have access to a wide variety of supports, including:

  • Connecticut charter application support from industry experts.
  • Access to expertise and feedback on all aspects of charter school launch, including budgeting, enrollment, and facilities.
  • Personalized coaching and support from a network of educational and executive leaders.
  • Collaboration and learning with a cohort of education leaders who care deeply about community, possess similar goals, and come from diverse backgrounds.
  • Nationwide travel to learn from some of the country’s most innovative schools.
  • Opportunities for ongoing support once the school is launched.

Who We are Looking For: Qualifications

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 selection process

The North Star Fellowship application is now open. Click here to apply and learn more about the selection process. Questions? Please reach out to Bryce Fleming, Director of Talent Programs, at bfleming@themindtrust.org. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

Stage 1:

Letter of Intent (LOI) Priority Deadline – November 30, 2026

Interested candidates are encouraged to complete their Letter of Intent early, allowing time for candidacy review and for submitting their Full Application ahead of the deadline. Candidates who successfully pass the initial Letter of Intent stage will be invited to submit a full application in late fall 2026 or early 2027. The Director of Talent Programs will share additional information as each phase progresses.

Letter of Intent Regular Deadline – January 4, 2027

Stage 2:

Full Application (by invitation following LOI) – Deadline January 25, 2027

Stage 3:

Panel Interviews

Stage 4:

Final Selection Committee for Recommendations

Stage 5:

Offers to Selected Fellows – Spring 2027

Support from charter school experts

The North Star Fellowship is modeled after The Mind Trust’s school development and launch fellowships. 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. The organization also supports similar fellowships in New Mexico and South Carolina.

Connecticut Charter Schools Outperform State in ELA and Math

We’re proud to support the growth of Connecticut charter schools because of their strong results for students! 2026 Connecticut Smarter Balance Assessment data show that charter schools are the drivers of academic improvement in Connecticut’s highest-need cities and towns, making a clear case to continue growing school options that work.