This planning guide was developed from my experiences as the founding director of Manhattan East Junior High School, as director of alternative schools and educational options in Districts 2 and 3 in New York City, and from work supporting secondary school restructuring in New York City and State. The set of questions and tasks guided educators in restructuring and designing new schools. It is by no means exhaustive. The tasks focus on major issues for launching a small school in an urban bureaucracy.
Some tasks are simple and are undertaken prior to the opening of the school.
Others will need regular revisiting over the life of the school. Some tasks confront school founders with what appear to be obstacles. Such play helps school founders develop the creativity, ingenuity, and strategy skills that are often invaluable for school founding and development. Working with constraints can build perseverance, tenacity, and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the nuances required for making good small schools in the rough and tumble world of public education. Outline the administrative procedures.