I have some personal news to share: I will be stepping down as Executive Director of the Washington State Charter Schools Association at the end of the 2026 calendar year. This was not an easy decision, but I leave with enormous hope for what comes next for the charter public school sector in Washington.
When I think about where we started and where we are today, I am filled with pride and gratitude. Years ago, a small group of believers fought to pass Washington’s charter school law, and from that effort, Washington’s charter public school sector was born. Today, approximately 5,000 students are thriving in public schools designed to meet their unique learning needs.
As a charter public-school parent myself, the hard-won place charter public schools have earned in Washington’s K-12 public school system is not an abstraction to me. Summit Atlas was an incredible school for our family, and I strongly believe that every Washington parent and student deserves access to these options.
And I am excited for the future of the organization and our schools.
While progress has not been linear, the charter public school movement in Washington is stronger, more credible, and more connected than at any point in our history. Our schools are delivering outstanding results, our coalition is growing, and policymakers are listening. We have a unique opportunity to seize the moment and build on this momentum. I genuinely believe that the leader who comes next will have an extraordinary opportunity to position the sector for long-term growth and sustainability. The foundation is solid, and this moment calls for fresh energy and new vision at the helm.
Leading this organization has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. I am grateful to our board, our WA Charters team, our school communities, and the countless partners and advocates who have stood alongside us. Most of all, I am grateful to each of you. You have made this work possible, and you will carry it forward. You are the main characters in this story, and you have the power to write what I believe will be an incredible ending — the best chapter of this movement is still ahead.
With gratitude,
Chris Korsmo
Executive Director
Washington State Charter Schools Association