From the Ground Up

Here is a comprehensive model for school start-ups from the initial planning, to the opening of the school, and through its initial growth. It is written for educational leaders who are engaging in the current transformation of America's education system through the creation of charter schools, private schools, and other emerging educational entities. The most common cause of new school failure is not curricular in nature, but rather is due to financial and management shortcomings. Following well-established entrepreneurial processes and principles can dramatically reduce the failure rate of these new schools.

The book presents specific tools and techniques to guide the school start-up. It includes examples from educational and traditional entrepreneurs. One important outcome of this book for school leaders is a comprehensive business plan that can be used to secure funding and to more effectively manage the start-up process.

Written for founders, board members, and advisors of charter schools, parochial schools, private schools, and other educational start-ups. It is also recommended for public agencies, foundations and universities that provide funding, training, and other support for these schools.

Jeffrey R. Cornwall holds the Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Previously, he was the Sandra Schulze Chair in Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was co-founder, president, and CEO of Atlantic Behavioral Health Systems, which provided a full continuum of mental health programs and included state-licensed private schools.

Cornwall writes extensively on entrepreneurship, and consults regularly with a variety of profit and nonprofit organizations, including charter schools and other educational organizations. He has co-authored three other books, including The Entrepreneurial Educator (ScarecrowEducation, 2000). Cornwall also taught at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and the University of Kentucky.