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Dave Machado Archives - North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools

Aug 06
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Back-to-school message from Dave Machado

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Below, we include a back-to-school message from Dave Machado, the Coalition’s executive director.

Dear Charter School Leaders,

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! On behalf of the Coalition Board and team, I wish each of you a successful year ahead.

The back-to-school season is always exciting as a new academic year begins. I remember this time well from my days leading Lincoln Charter School. I also recall how busy I was!

As you tackle all of the tasks of the new school year, know that our Coalition team remains deeply committed to charter school advocacy and to serving as your voice in Raleigh. We’re planning a big year ahead as we continue our work to protect and promote public charter schools.

An election is right around the corner: You’ll hear more from us in the coming weeks about the 2026 legislative candidates who support public charter schools. In addition, planning for our fifth annual Charter Advocacy Summit, slated for March 2-3, 2027, in Raleigh, is already underway. We’ll share more on that soon, too.

Changes are underway for our state’s charter movement as well. North Carolina charter schools served over 160,000 students in 2025-26, representing 10.5% of public school market share, according to state data. Growth shows no signs of slowing down this year. According to the Office of Charter Schools, 217 charter public school units are expected to operate during the 2026-27 school year. That includes 213 brick-and-mortar charter schools and four fully remote statewide charter schools. This represents the highest number of charter schools on record in North Carolina!

Five of these schools will open to students for the very first time. Please join me in welcoming the following schools to our state’s charter movement:

  • NC Connections Academy (fully remote statewide charter)
  • Warren YES
  • Carolina Collegiate
  • RYZE Charter
  • IDYL-Wake

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you welcome students back to campus. As always, your work inspires ours.

Dave Machado

Executive Director, North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools

Above: Shutterstock photo.

May 20
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A message to the Class of 2026 from Dave Machado

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Charter school leaders, I commend you on a successful 2025-26 academic year! I know many of you will be celebrating graduation in the coming days, so I wanted to pass along my official congratulations to your students. 

Dear Members of the Class of 2026,

Congratulations on your high school graduation! I know I speak for the Coalition’s Board of Directors when I say, “Well done!”

You’ve likely heard this already, but high school graduation is a major life milestone—the culmination of four years of progressive growth and academic development across the arc of adolescence. Of course, graduation also represents an even longer journey from those early days when you stepped foot into kindergarten classrooms, as freshly scrubbed, eager, and unformed students. You may have forgotten, but I bet your parents remember!

As a former charter school administrator, I can attest to the emotion and pride of high school graduation. At Lincoln Charter School, which I led for 14 years, I loved the pomp and circumstance that marked our graduation week each year. It was so heartening to see our students—some of whom had been with us since kindergarten—walk across the stage as great, contributing citizens.

I know you will soon step into that role, too.

At Lincoln Charter, we also entered graduation week assured that we had prepared our students well. When graduates came back to visit in the fall, they invariably told us their college classes weren’t really so hard after all. They felt prepared. Confident. Capable. That feedback was wonderful to hear, and it inspired us with our next class of students.

Similarly, I know your charter leaders have worked diligently to prepare you for your milestone moment. You’re ready to launch. As you leave high school for the exciting, new terrain of college or career, you can be confident that your charter school experience has positioned and prepared you well. You have the skills, mindsets, and competencies you need to succeed.

My advice to you is simple: Enjoy this moment. Follow God’s plan for your life, wherever it leads. And please go back to your charter schools to visit, letting your school leaders know where you’ve been and what you’ve done. This is the good and great reward for those whose life’s work it is to nurture minds and shape learning.

Godspeed.

Sincerely,

Dave Machado, Executive Director, NC Coalition for Charter Schools

Above: Shutterstock photo.

Mar 26
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It’s a Wrap: 2026 Charter Advocacy Summit

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The color guard team from Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy performs at the beginning of the 2026 Summit.

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Charter Advocacy Summit this week at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley Hotel! We had a great time talking with you at the kick-off reception on Tuesday as well. (You can see Dave Machado, the Coalition’s executive director, making remarks at that event in the photo at the left.)

The next day at the Advocacy Summit, we heard from a fantastic line-up of speakers and panelists. We’ll share a more comprehensive update in the coming days–along with videos capturing event footage and interviews–but we wanted to share a few rapid turnaround highlights below.

300 Summit registrations

We had another sold-out crowd this year, with around 300 people registered for the Summit (including attendees, speakers, sponsors, and staff/volunteers). This is a new Summit record! We’re so grateful so many of you wanted to come out this year and hear about the importance of charter school advocacy.

120 charter schools represented

It was remarkable to see so many charter schools represented in Raleigh this year at our Summit. Last year, 89 charter schools were represented at the Summit. We celebrate this impressive growth and expanded reach of the charter advocacy message to more North Carolina charter schools.

Thank you to our distinguished 2026 Summit speakers and panelists, who shared their insights with us, including:

North Carolina Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt speaks at the Summit.

 

  • North Carolina Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt
  • Hayley Sanon, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education
  • Bruce Friend, Chair, Charter Schools Review Board; Superintendent, Pine Springs Preparatory Academy
  • John Eldridge, Vice Chair, Charter Schools Review Board; Executive Director of School Services, Performance Charter Development
  • Ashley Logue, Executive Director, Office of Charter Schools
  • Donald Bryson, President and CEO, John Locke Foundation; Publisher, Carolina Journal
  • Neal Inman, Chief of Staff for the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives
  • Lisa Stifler, Chief of Staff for the Democratic Leader of the North Carolina Senate

Hayley Sanon of the U.S. Department of Education shares opening remarks.

… as well as numerous other talented speakers, panelists, and moderators. See them listed out by session in the Summit agenda.

We also want to thank our hard-working volunteers who helped with set-up, registration, and other event logistics. This year’s volunteers included Kim Campbell, Amelia Schneider, Shae Faraday, and Tammy Heuts.

Below, we share some photos from the event.

Attendees gather at the kick-off reception on Tuesday, March 24.

Attendees listen to a Summit session on Wednesday, March 25.

The regulatory/legal panel addresses the Summit. From left to right: Moderator Jonathan Bryant and panelists Steven Walker, John Eldridge, Bruce Friend, and Matthew Tilley.

We also want to thank our amazing 2026 Summit sponsors, who made this event possible!

Finally, we share some Summit resources below.

*This post has been updated since publication.

Feb 03
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National School Choice Week 2026 Recap

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National School Choice Week (NSCW) 2026 ended on Saturday, Jan. 31. It was a busy week of celebrating school choice and public charter schools! We have a quick recap for you below.

Coalition content in the news:

Other news

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction announced its new “Find Your Fit, Build Your Future” initiative with a virtual press conference on Wednesday. It’s a “six-week public awareness initiative designed to help families discover the options available in North Carolina’s public schools.”

DPI’s press release and press conference highlighted the state’s magnet, early college, charter, CTE (career and technical education) programs, and more.

Read more about DPI’s initiative from Carolina Journal, EdNC, and WCTI.

View a press release about National School Choice Week from the U.S. Department of Education.

Graphic courtesy of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Jan 23
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Revolution Academy launches national Freedom Truck tour

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Revolution Academy’s principal Michele Harris speaks at the Freedom 250 event on Jan. 21, 2026. Courtesy of Revolution Academy/Facebook.

Revolution Academy, a public charter school in Summerfield and a Coalition member school, launched the national Freedom 250 tour this week with the Freedom 250 Freedom Truck, a traveling museum that showcases the nation’s founding history.

The event, which took place on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, featured remarks from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and other leaders.

In a Facebook post, Revolution Academy referenced the Freedom Truck launch as “an unforgettable moment for our students, our community, and our nation’s story.”

The Town of Summerfield also proclaimed Jan. 21 as Freedom 250 Day, “recognizing civic education, patriotism, and the principles of freedom that unite us,” Revolution Academy noted.

Coalition Executive Director Dave Machado was on hand to celebrate the event with the Revolution Academy community.

Photo courtesy of Dave Machado

Here’s an excerpt from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences’ news release:

On January 21st, 2026, the Freedom 250 Freedom Truck made its first stop in North Carolina. Inspired by the Freedom Train of our nation’s 1976 bicentennial, the Freedom Trucks are the largest ever traveling exhibits teaching about America’s founding. Freedom Trucks will travel the nation to share the story of America’s founding.

Read more about the event from ABC News or Spectrum News. See the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Freedom 250 page. Watch a short video about the Freedom Truck here.

 

Jan 20
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Coalition hosts regional meeting at Durham Charter School

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The Coalition this morning hosted a regional meeting at Durham Charter School‘s new campus off Kemp Road in Durham. Around 38 school leaders and charter school stakeholders, including the Coalition team, convened from around the Triangle area to hear an important update about regulation and compliance.

Dave Machado shares remarks at the Coalition’s Jan. 20 regional meeting.

Coalition Executive Director Dave Machado opened the meeting, sharing remarks about the Coalition’s advocacy work. Ben Zeigler, a senior project manager with event sponsor HICAPS Construction Management, shared a message about his company’s services to charter schools.

Next, Harry Kaplan, a member of the Coalition’s Government Relations team and a senior advisor with McGuireWoods Consulting, provided an update regarding the Coalition’s legislative advocacy efforts at the General Assembly.

Matthew Tilley, the Coalition’s counsel and a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, shared a presentation on navigating the new regulatory environment in North Carolina. He outlined  for charter leaders how the authority of the state’s Charter Schools Review Board has changed–and what this means for charter school regulation and compliance.

Alex Quigley speaks to regional meeting attendees.

Alex Quigley, the executive director of Durham Charter School, closed out the meeting with remarks about charter school accountability. He also invited attendees to stay for school tours. DCS opened its new facility to students this fall.

The school initially launched as Healthy Start Academy in 1997 as the state’s first public charter school.

Many thanks to Durham Charter School for hosting and to HICAPS Construction Management for sponsoring this important Coalition event!

Jan 07
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Join us on January 20 for the Coalition’s regional meeting in Durham!

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Charter leaders, please join us on Tuesday, January 20, for the Coalition’s next regional meeting.  School administrators from Coalition member schools as well as non-member schools are invited!  Click here or on the image at the left to view the meeting invite.

 The details:

WHO: Leaders from Triangle-area charter schools

WHAT: “Navigating the New Regulatory Environment” (Presentation and Q&A)

WHEN: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 20, 2026

WHERE: Durham Charter School (new campus), 4621 Kemp Road, Durham, NC 27703

Attorney Matthew Tilley, the Coalition’s counsel, will lead a presentation specifically for charter school leaders, sharing insights about navigating the new regulatory environment and ensuring compliance. He’ll address which policies and regulations pertain to charter schools, and which do not—along with new session law requiring Charter Schools Review Board approval for any rule or policy impacting charter schools.

We’ll have plenty of time for networking and Q&A following the presentation.

We encourage all Triangle-area charter leaders to join us for this important and informative meeting!

Please RSVP to Dave Machado at dmachado@nc.chartercoalition.org by January 13.

Thank you to HICAPS Construction Management for sponsoring this Coalition event! 

Learn more about the North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools here.

Nov 04
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Carolina Achieve celebrates new campus with ribbon-cutting ceremony

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Carolina Achieve’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pictured leaders include Mebane Mayor Ed Hooks; John Oxaal, Board Chair; and Trip Cogburn, Head of School. Photo courtesy of Dave Machado.

Congratulations to Carolina Achieve for its new campus and ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday, October 30! A new public charter school located in Mebane, Carolina Achieve is serving students in grades K-2 for the 2025-26 academic year, but will continue to expand each year. Next year, the school plans to add third grade.

Coalition Executive Director Dave Machado was on hand for the event–the third ribbon-cutting or opening ceremony of the week!

Below, we share the mission for Carolina Achieve:

Carolina Achieve prepares K – 12th-grade students to achieve their scholastic, personal, and professional goals through a learner-centered educational program focusing on a strong academic foundation, Habits of Success (entrepreneurial skills), well-being, and a Home-School partnership.

Enrollment for 2026-27 at Carolina Achieve will open on November 1. Read a message from Trip Cogburn, the founding head of school.

 

Sep 11
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Dave Machado presents to the Charter Schools Review Board

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On Monday, Dave Machado, the Coalition’s executive director, shared a presentation about the Coalition with the N.C. Charter Schools Review Board. He focused specifically on highlights from the Coalition’s 2024 Annual Report, noting work to protect and promote public charter schools.

He also shared the Coalition’s three core functions: advocacy, communications, and education.

The Coalition’s status as a 501(c)(6) organization enables intensive advocacy work at the state legislature and an unlimited ability to lobby on charter schools’ behalf, Dave said. The Coalition works to advocate “for charter school laws that make sense, … to stop charter school laws that don’t make sense,” and to advance the state’s charter school movement.

Communication involves outreach to both internal and external stakeholders, Dave said, including a weekly members’ newsletter and a monthly parent newsletter. The Coalition also hosts biweekly legislative updates with our Government Relations Team, which gives members an opportunity to ask questions about bills.

Regarding education and Coalition members specifically, Dave said:

We want to educate them on the issues that are facing charter schools, not just at the General Assembly, but at the Department of Public Instruction, at the Office of Charter Schools … We hear it all the time, “I feel like I’m an island out here by myself.”  We want to make sure that you’re not an island, that we are your voice, and you can call us anytime … If I don’t have the answer, I try to get it.

In addition, Dave highlighted key legislative achievements from 2024. You can see those in the presentation screenshot below:

He ended with a quote from Rep. James Roberson (D-Wake) about charter schools that’s featured on this slide from the presentation and is included in the Coalition’s annual report:

More

*This post has been updated.

Aug 21
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Hobgood Charter School & North Oak Academy Celebrate Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies

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Congratulations to Hobgood Charter School and North Oak Academy! Both of these Coalition member schools recently celebrated ribbon-cutting ceremonies on their school campuses. Coalition Executive Director Dave Machado was on hand for both events.

We share details and photos below. Please join us and them in celebrating these important milestones!

Hobgood Charter School

Hobgood Charter School on August 11 celebrated its new middle and high school building. Along with school leaders and community members, Hobgood’s mayor joined the celebration. Read more about the ribbon-cutting (pictured below) from WITN or WNCT.

North Oak Academy

North Oak Academy, a National Heritage Academies (NHA) school, celebrated its ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Durham campus on Thursday, August 7. Along with Durham’s mayor, Coalition Board member Megan DeKraker, National Heritage Academies founder and chairman J.C. Huizenga, and Dave Machado attended the celebration.

The new public charter school opened its doors to students in grades K-5 for the first time yesterday, August 20. North Oak will eventually expand to include K-8 students.

Congratulations to the North Oak Charter School staff and community–and the broader National Heritage Academies family!

Pictured above: NHA founder and chairman J.C. Huizenga speaks at the North Oak ribbon-cutting. J.C. Huizenga, Megan DeKraker, and Dave Machado pause for a photo.

*This post has been updated since its publication.