After years of supporting innovative education spaces, we’ve learned that School Founders do best when they receive extra support on their journey. Opening a school is hard work.
In 2021, we launched a new pilot program to support our Fellows on their journey. Our Residency Bridge Year and School Launcher Residency empower Fellows to avoid burn-out and the pressure to take a job rather than focus on their mission, to maintain momentum, and to build critical connections with necessary stakeholders.
The School Launcher Pathway
THE RESIDENCY BRIDGE YEAR
The Residency Bridge Year Program (RBY) is a part-time program designed for individuals who have completed the initial year-long Moonshot edVentures Fellowship and may be interested in applying to the Launcher Residency the next year.
Fellows receive:*
A co-developed customized roadmap for leadership development during the Residency Bridge Year that defines their strengths, areas of growth, goals for the year, strategies for leadership development, and a month-by-month school / program plan development guide.
A variety of engaging and individualized services (workshops, coaching, peer support groups, school-embedded learning opportunities) designed to support goal-aligned leadership development and build readiness for the Residency Program.
Support in developing a high-level, well-written school launch plan, also demonstrating readiness for the full-time Residency.
While RBY was initially created in response to a delayed Residency launch as a result of the pandemic, we’ve learned that having an additional part-time program BEFORE Residency allows Fellows and the Moonshot team to better understand a Fellow’s interest and readiness in school launch.
SCHOOL LAUNCHER RESIDENCY
The Moonshot School Launcher Residency was created to mitigate challenges that new founders face, and provide the intensive support, financial resources, and on-ramp needed to successfully and sustainably launch a school in Metro Denver.
The Residency includes a combination of workshops, individual coaching and support, and job-embedded leadership training and experience. However, rather than being a “side gig,” the Residency requires a long-term, full-time commitment on the part of fellows. For Moonshot Fellows who are committed to launching and leading high-quality new charter schools. Through the program* Residents will:
Be prepared for school leadership and school founding through targeted school visits, observations from successful school leaders, developing a track record of achieving desired student outcomes, and growing their skills aligned to Moonshot’s Leadership Competencies.
Develop a school design plan and charter application for submission
Build a professional cohort community
*Note: At Moonshot, we're always looking to improve. We love the scientific method, and right now, we're trying out some new hypotheses for how to make this program the best it can be. We're currently taking time to reflect and iterate on the results of RBY and the School Launcher Residency Program, and as such, the details on this page are subject to change. If you're interested in knowing what's on our mind, please feel free to send us a message.
“Moonshot helped me take my school idea and turn it into an actual design. Through Moonshot, I have gained confidence in my ability to start a school and succeed. I can’t wait to see how the Moonshot family transforms education first in metro Denver and then the world.”
SNAPSHOTS FROM OUR SCHOOL LAUNCHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Are you interested in partnering with Moonshot and supporting our Residency programs?