July 2005
Southwest Charter School submits a charter application which is accepted for review by Portland Public Schools (PPS)

August 2005
Southwest Charter School submits first proposal to lease the closed Smith School building

September 2005
PPS has public hearing on Southwest Charter School.

November 2005
PPS rejects initial application and the Southwest Charter School appeals.

December 2005
PPS rejects appeal.

January/February 2006
At PPS request, meetings are held with Southwest Charter School to consider opening a Westside environmental school.

March 2006
PPS holds public meetings concerning more school closures, opening new school on Westside becomes unrealistic for PPS.

April 2006
Southwest Charter School submits appeal of charter application to Oregon Department of Education (ODE) - first step in process is mediation with PPS. Southwest Charter School also submits second proposal to lease the closed Smith School building.

August 2006
ODE notifies Southwest Charter School that mediation contract has been signed and mediation can commence shortly.

October 2006
Mediation with PPS. Mediation was not successful and SWCS sends a joint letter, with PPS, requesting that the ODE staff begin the process of evaluating the Southwest Charter School application for sponsorship by the Oregon Department of Education Board.

December 2006
Meeting with ODE staff to review application and process.

January 2007
ODE submits the Southwest Charter School application to both independent and in-house reviewers for evaluation.

March 15, 2007
ODE Staff submits to the Oregon Department of Education Board the recommendation to sponsor the Southwest Charter School!

April 19, 2007
Oregon Department of Education Board to vote on ODE staff's recommendation for sponsorship.

September 2007
Southwest Charter School opens its doors for the children of Portland!