Announcing CSMC’s Strategic Partnership with Ascend Charter Group (ACG)

We’re excited to share the launch of Ascend Charter Group (ACG)—a new venture co-founded by Sandro Lanni and Tom Nichols, designed to broaden the support we offer to charter schools. Tom will be transitioning from his role at CSMC this September to lead this initiative. Sandro will remain in his role as President of CSMC, providing continued leadership and stability, while also lending his support to the exciting new venture, ACG.

ACG is a natural extension of CSMC’s mission, offering complementary services that go beyond financial back-office support. This partnership strengthens our industry presence and deepens our commitment to charter school success. While Tom steps into this new role, he’ll remain available for consultation and support as needed.

ACG was formed to lift the burden of bureaucracy, external demands, and crisis response off your shoulders. These challenges are real and deserve attention—but they shouldn’t dominate your time or distract from your core mission. Our goal is to help charter leaders stay focused on what truly matters: student success and building resilient, high-performing schools.

Tom and Sandro bring a proven track record of helping schools navigate complex performance challenges and authorizer scrutiny, crafting strategic plans grounded in data and regulatory expertise. Combined, Tom and Sandro offer over 55 years of experience supporting charter schools—making ACG uniquely positioned to serve your organization and many others.

We’re thrilled about what’s ahead and look forward to the impact ACG will make across the charter school landscape.