Honoring Leaders Who Shaped the Charter Movement

In Partnership with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Since 2007, the Charter Schools Hall of Fame has recognized individuals and organizations whose leadership, advocacy, innovation, and service have strengthened and advanced public charter schools nationwide.

Inductees are selected annually by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. The National Charter Schools Founders Library serves as the permanent archive of these distinguished honorees and their lasting contributions to public charter education.

Charter Schools Hall of Fame Honorees

43 Inductees. Decades of Leadership and Innovation.
Together, Hall of Fame honorees represent the individuals and organizations that have built, defended, strengthened, and expanded public charter schools. Their collective impact spans school founding, state and national policy, research, advocacy, philanthropy, and educational innovation.

2026 Inductees

Patricia Brantley

CEO of DC-based Friendship Public Charter Schools

Sarah Usdin

Founder of New Schools for New Orleans

2025 Inductees

Chris Barbic

Founder of YES Prep Public Schools in Houston

Constance Ranae Jones

Former CEO of Noble Schools

Dr. Elaine Swafford

CEO of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy

J.C. Huizenga

Founder and Chairman of National Heritage Academies (NHA)

2024 Inductee

Nina Rees

President and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

2019 Inductees

Joe Nathan

Founder and director, Center for School Change; long-time charterschool
advocate

Dr. Margaret Fortune

President and CEO of Fortune School

Fernando Zulueta

President / founder of Academica

2018 Inductees

Maquita Alexander

Executive Director, Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School

Ana F. Ponce

CEO, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

Tom Torkelson

CEO and Co-Founder, IDEA Public Schools

Joann Gama

President, Co-Founder, and Superintendent, IDEA Public Schools

2017 Inductees

Malcom Peabody

Founder and Board Member Emeritus, Friends of Choice in Urban
Schools (FOCUS)

Greg Richmond

President and CEO, National Association of Charter School
Authorizers

Caprice Young

CEO, Magnolia Public Schools

2016 Inductees

Bill Kurtz

CEO, DSST Public Schools

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Roderick R. Paige

Former U.S. Secretary of Education

Kim Smith

Founder of NewSchools Venture Fund and the Pahara Institute

2015 Inductees

Senator Mary Landrieu

Former U.S. Senator from Louisiana

Deborah McGriff

Managing Partner, NewSchools Venture Fund

Nelson Smith

Senior Adviser, National Association of Charter School Authorizers
(NACSA)

2014 Inductees

Doris and Donald Fisher Fund

A National Fund Established in 2000 to Replicate KIPP Nationally

Dr. Eva S. Moskowitz

Founder, Success Academy Charter Schools

Chester E. Finn, Jr.

President Emeritus, Thomas B. Fordham Institute

2013 Inductees

Linda Moore

Founder and Executive Director, Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community
Freedom Public Charter School.

The Walton Family Foundation

A National Foundation
Established in 1987

Lisa Graham Keegan

Principal Partner, The Keegan Company

2012 Inductees

City Academy

St. Paul, Minnesota
Established in 1992

Jim Griffin

President, Colorado League of
Charter Schools

2011 Inductees

Donald Hense

Founder and Chairman of the Board, Friendship Public Charter School

Joel Klein

Former Chancellor, New York City schools; then leading education
innovation at News Corporation

Jim Peyser

Managing Partner, NewSchools Venture Fund

2010 Inductees

Norm Atkins

Founder and Leader of Uncommon Schools

John B. King, Jr.

Co-founder of Roxbury Preparatory Charter School and leader at
Uncommon Schools

Jim Goenner, Ph.D.

Executive Director, The Center for Charter Schools

2009 Inductees

KIPP

The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is a network of tuition-free, open-enrollment college-preparatory public charter schools serving students

Josephine Baker

Executive Director, D.C. Public Charter School Board

Don Shalvey

Founder and CEO, Aspire Public Schools

2008 Inductees

Linda Brown

Head, Building Excellent Schools

Yvonne Chan

Founder and Principal, Vaughn Next Century Learning Center

Ember Reichgott Junge

Former Minnesota state senator and author of Minnesota’s charter school law

2007 Inductees

Howard Fuller, Ph.D.

Chair, Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO)

Sonia Gutierrez

Founder and CEO, Carlos Rosario International Career Center / Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School

Ted Kolderie

Founding Partner, Education Evolving

John Walton

Education philanthropist and co-founder, Children’s Scholarship Fund;
inducted posthumously