Charter Excellence Awards

Nominations for the 2026 INCS Charter Excellence Awards are officially open! At INCS, we value educational equity and excellence above all else. We know neither is possible without the contributions of teachers, principals, families, and students, and so each year we honor community members who go above and beyond for their schools. Here is your opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding individuals across the Illinois charter community who make charters the transformational schools they are.

Nominate someone from your school today who embodies the passion and commitment of the entire Illinois charter school community.

Nominations are due Monday, October 19, 2026, so please submit your nominations today.

About the Charter Excellence Awards 

The annual INCS Charter Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding achievement of educators, parents, students, and advocates across Illinois’ charter public schools. With generous support from Invest for Kids, INCS offers financial awards in the following categories: 

 

  • Charter Principal of the Year – $10,000 
  • Charter Elementary Teacher of the Year – $10,000 
  • Charter High School Teacher of the Year – $10,000 
  • Charter School Parent Advocate of the Year – $500 
  • Outstanding Illinois Charter School Senior – four seniors will be selected to win a $1,000 scholarship each
  • Outstanding Illinois Charter School Eighth Grader – two eighth graders will be selected to earn a $500 scholarship each

All charter public school community members are strongly encouraged to submit nominations. There is no limit on nominations per school or awards. Nominations are due October 19, 2026. INCS will notify winners in November and will recognize them publicly at the INCS Charter Excellence Awards on Monday, December 7, 2026, in Chicago.

 

Charter School Principal of the Year

A strong nominee for the 2026 Charter School Principal of the Year will:

  • Demonstrate a clear and shared vision for the school
  • Regularly innovate to support students and staff and share what is working more broadly
  • Practice servant leadership and focus on the growth and well-being of staff, students, and families

In the application, please provide concrete examples of the attributes above. The winner will be awarded $10,000. Nomination forms can be found here for the principal/school leader nominees.

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Committed to the charter school model and served in a leadership position at their current school for at least two years
  • Lead a high-performing school; the school must be exemplary or commendable under ISBE guidance for the school year 2024-2025

 

Charter Elementary School Teacher of the Year

A strong nominee for the 2026 INCS Charter Elementary Teacher of the Year will include:

  • Demonstration of strong teaching and pedagogical skills
  • Evidence of a strong classroom culture with robust support for students
  • Participation in extracurricular supports for their students
  • Collaboration with their colleagues and mentorship of less-experienced teachers

In the application, please provide concrete examples of the attributes above. The winner will be awarded $10,000. The nomination form for the 2026 INCS Charter Elementary Teacher of the Year is here.

Nominees must be a K-8 teacher who has taught at the charter school for at least two years.

 

Charter High School Teacher of the Year

A strong nominee for the 2026 INCS Charter High School Teacher of the Year will include:

  • Demonstration of strong teaching and pedagogical skills
  • Evidence of a strong classroom culture with robust support for students
  • Participation in extracurricular supports for their students
  • Collaboration with their colleagues and mentorship of less-experienced teachers

In the application, please provide concrete examples of the attributes above. The winner will be awarded $10,000. The 2026 INCS Charter High School Teacher of the Year nomination form can be found here.

Nominees must be a 9-12th grade high school teacher who has taught at the charter school for at least two years.

 

Illinois Charter School Parent Advocate

A strong nominee for the 2026 INCS Charter School Parent Advocate of the Year will have:

  • Demonstrated a solid and long-term commitment to the school
  • Advocated for the school in a public setting, including with elected officials and other parents
  • Advanced the mission and success of the school in a specific way(s)

In the application, please provide concrete examples of the attributes above. The winner will be awarded $500. The nomination form for the INCS Charter School Parent Advocate is here.

Nominees must have a child who has been enrolled in an Illinois charter school for at least 3 years. If your child has attended multiple charter schools, please list all schools and the number of years they have been a charter school parent. The nominee must also be involved with his/her charter school’s parent group and/or have a leadership position at the school. Please note any special awards or recognitions.

 

Outstanding Illinois Charter School Senior

A strong nominee for the 2026 INCS Outstanding Illinois Charter School Senior will:

  • Demonstrate leadership at their school
  • Show a commitment to their school through participation in various groups, clubs, or advocacy efforts
  • Showcase strong academic achievement

The INCS Outstanding Illinois Charter School Senior award will be presented to four seniors who have each demonstrated the criteria above. Please provide examples on the nomination form. Each student will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The nomination form can be found here.

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Must graduate from high school in 2027 and plan to attend college or pursue another post-secondary opportunity during the 2027–2028 academic year
  • Must have attended the school in 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and the current school year

 

Outstanding Illinois Charter School Eighth Grader

A strong nominee for the 2026 INCS Outstanding Illinois Charter School Eighth Grader will:

  • Demonstrate leadership at their school
  • Show a commitment to their school through participation in various groups, clubs, or advocacy efforts
  • Showcase strong academic achievement

The Outstanding Illinois Charter School Eighth Grader award will be presented to two eighth graders who have demonstrated each of the criteria above. Please provide examples of each on the nomination form. Each student will be awarded a $500 scholarship. The nomination form can be found here.

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Must graduate from 8th grade in Spring 2027 with plans to attend high school in the 2027-2028 year
  • Must be involved in student leadership positions, such as student government, programs, clubs, teams, tutoring, etc.