What is a Charter School?

A charter school is a public school. It is financed through public local, State, and federal funds but is independent of local school boards. The authority of the charter school to provide education is through a "charter," a type of contract, between the charter school board of trustees and one of the chartering entities that has been approved and issued by the Board of Regents. Charter schools typically focus on innovative curricula, a new approach to school organization, or some other features that differentiate them from regular public schools. Students may choose to attend any charter school and are accepted through an application procedure.  more

Charter schools are K-12 public schools started by parents, teachers, and/or community members who apply to the Minnesota Department of Education for a "charter," which defines the school's specific mission and goals, and how these goals will be measured. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsors, parents and families, the state, and the public for achieving measurable results in student achievement and for implementing fiscally sound management. Sponsors of charter schools vary widely but are often charitable or service organizations, local school districts, or post-secondary institutions. Charter schools are extremely diverse in their focuses. From project-based high schools to arts-intensive schools to online learning and technology-focused schools, the missions of charter schools in Minnesota vary widely. Since charter schools are public schools, they are open to anyone, free of charge. What is the difference between a charter school and other public schools? Charter ...

A charter school is a public school which is usually created by a founding group that can include educators, parents and community members. It is usually sponsored by a local school board or county board of education. A charter school is generally exempt from most laws governing school districts and therefore increases the opportunities and educational choices available to the community. The school must participate in and be held accountable to the California State Standards as measured by the STAR test.  more

Charter schools are independently-run public schools that operate according to the terms of a contract, or charter, between a private group and a school district or state. In exchange for greater freedom over aspects such as the academic program, management structure, and length of the school day and year, charters are held accountable for concrete performance targets. For more information about charter schools, visit the Teaching in a New Orleans public school section of this website.  more

Charter schools are public K-12 schools started by parents, teachers, and/or community members who apply for a "charter," which defines the school's specific mission and goals, and how these goals will be measured. Charter schools must be sponsored by a authorizer, who then files an affidavit of intent to sponsor a charter school with the state for approval. Authorizers of charter schools may be non-profit organizations, foundations, local school districts, intermediate school districts, or post-secondary institutions. Charter schools are accountable to their authorizers, parents and families, the state, and the public for achieving measurable results in student achievement and for implementing fiscally sound management. Charter schools are extremely diverse in their focuses. From project-based high schools to arts-intensive schools to online learning and technology-focused schools, the missions of charter schools in Minnesota vary widely. Since charter schools are public schools, ...  more

Charter schools are K-12 public schools started by parents, teachers, and/or community members who apply to the Arizona Department of Education for a "charter," which defines the school's specific mission and goals, and how these goals will be measured. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsors, parents and families, the state, and the public for achieving measurable results in student achievement and for implementing fiscally sound management. Sponsors of charter schools vary widely but are often charitable or service organizations, local school districts, or post-secondary institutions. Charter schools are extremely diverse in their focuses. From project-based high schools to arts-intensive schools to online learning and technology-focused schools, the missions of charter schools in Arizona vary widely. Since charter schools are public schools, they are open to anyone, free of charge.  more

A charter school is a nonsectarian public school of choice that operates with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3-5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor-usually a state or local school board-to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them. More on this and ...  more

A charter school is a privately managed public school. A charter school is funded with public monies and open to students in the district in which it is located. Charter schools are designed by local citizens - including parents, teachers, and community leaders - to fulfill a specific and locally driven educational mission. The academic life, daily operations, and staff are managed by the citizens, educators, and board members responsible for the school itself. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3-5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract.  more

Charter schools are independently-run public schools that operate according to the terms of a contract, or charter, between a private group and a school district or state. In exchange for greater freedom over items such as the academic program, management structure, and length of the school day and year, charters are held accountable for concrete performance targets. For more information about charter schools, visit our page entitled Teaching in a New Orleans public school.  more

A charter school is a form of public school that is free from most of the restrictive laws that govern traditional public schools. This allows a charter schools more flexibility to implement creative and innovative programs and policies. In return for this freedom, a charter school is held more accountable for student success. Funded like other public schools, a charter school operates under a contract detailing the school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success.  more