How to get your child in a charter school

Charter School FAQ | National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

How do charter schools work?

Charter schools are public schools operating under an independent contract or “charter” with an authorizing agency—typically a non-profit organization, government agency or university. The charter provides the school with operational autonomy to pursue specific educational objectives regarding curriculum, staff, and budget. It also holds them accountable to the same (often higher) standards of their district public school peers.

Are charter schools public schools?

Yes, charter schools are independently-operated, public schools. Charter schools provide a high-quality education option to public school students, upholding high standards that meet and often exceed the district and state metrics.

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How do I enroll my child in a charter school?

Most charter schools have an enrollment period when parents can submit applications for the school. If there are more applications submitted than seats available, they will hold a randomized blind lottery. To learn more about applying to a charter school in your state, visit your state’s charter support organization website.

Do charter schools have attendance boundaries?

Charter schools do not have traditional school boundaries like district schools, which allows many charter schools to attract a diverse student body. Charter schools are restricted by state limits and some have city limits as well. Visit your state’s charter support organization website for more information about charter schools in your area.

Are charter schools nonprofit?

Yes, the overwhelming majority of charter schools are nonprofit organizations. Some states allow for-profit organizations to manage charter schools, but that accounts for only 12% of charter schools across the country. Regardless, all charter schools are free to attend.

How can I start a charter school?

Charter schools can be started by any interested party, including parents, community members, and teachers. It is common to see charter schools led by former teachers who wanted to take the lessons they learned in the classroom and scale to an entire school community. It is helpful to first identify a unique need in the community that the charter school would serve and connect with a local charter school authorizer. You can learn more about the charter school authorizers in your state on the National Association of Charter School Authorizers website.

How can I teach at a charter school?

A great place to start your search is on our Charter School Job Board! You can also learn more by from your state’s charter organization.

Do charter schools have admission requirements?

No, charter schools do not have admission requirements or entrance exams. Though many charter schools are in high demand and when that demand exceeds the spaces available in the school, a charter school may hold a randomized, blind lottery to determine which students are admitted or may preference students by need or location.

What are some questions to ask when I’m choosing a charter school?

As a parent, make sure you are familiar with the individual objectives and rules affiliated with the specific charter school that you are considering before you enroll your child. The reasons that parents choose charter schools for their children are just as unique as the students themselves. They choose their child’s school for a variety of reasons including strong, dedicated teachers, the school's focus matches their child’s needs, or simply because their child was struggling in their zoned-public school and needed to try something new. Charter schools provide families with options in public education, allowing parents to take a more active role in their child’s education.

What is a charter school authorizer?

Authorizers are the institutions that decide who can start a new charter school, set expectations and oversee school performance, and decide which schools should continue to serve students or not. Depending on state law, authorizers can be school districts, education agencies, independent boards, universities, mayors and municipalities, and not-for-profits.

Do charter schools charge tuition?

No, charter schools are tuition-free, public schools.

What makes charter schools different than other schools?

Each of the more than 7,500 charter schools is unique – both inside and out. Some may focus on college prep, some follow a Montessori curriculum, and others integrate the arts into each subject. Most charter schools are located in urban areas, but there are charter schools in suburban and rural areas as well. Some charter schools require uniforms, others have longer school days, and some teach their entire curriculum in two languages. The possibilities are endless, but charter schools aim to provide a range of options so that parents can choose the school that best fits their child.

Who supports charter schools?

Charter schools enjoy widespread support from parents, teachers, community leaders, and both Republican and Democrat elected officials across the country. Learn more about some of our strongest supporters here.

Information for Families | State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia

The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) seeks to improve public education by providing Georgia students with high-quality charter schools. To that end, the SCSC aims to assist families and stakeholders in understanding the charter school options available to their students.

In Georgia, there are two types of charter schools: state charter schools (authorized by the SCSC) and locally-approved charter schools (authorized by a local board of education). Learn more about the SCSC and state charter schools on our About Us page and use the Frequently Asked Questions guide below to learn about charter school basics, how to enroll in a charter school and how to resolve concerns with your student's charter school.

What is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school of choice that operates under the terms of a charter, or contract, with an authorizer, such as the State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC) or a local board of education. Charter schools receive flexibility from certain state and local rules to design a unique educational program in exchange for increased student performance. In Georgia, there are two types of charter schools: state charter schools (authorized by the SCSC) and locally-approved charter schools (authorized by a local board of education). Charter schools are held accountable by their authorizer for upholding the terms of their charter contract.
Are charter schools public schools?
Yes. Charter schools are public schools. As such they receive public funding, cannot charge tuition, must have fair and open enrollment, must be secular, and are required to serve all student populations, including students with disabilities and English language learners.
What is the difference between a charter school and a traditional public school?
Two words can help distinguish charter schools from traditional public schools: flexibility and accountability. Charter schools are governed, not by a local board of education, but by an autonomous non-profit board of directors, and they receive flexibility from certain state and local rules and regulations. Charter schools use this flexibility to implement innovative or unique programs and provide educational options to parents and students that are not typically available in the traditional public schools. In exchange for this flexibility, charter schools are expected to meet academic performance targets. Charter schools that fail to meet academic expectations are subject to closure.
What is the difference between a charter school and a magnet or theme school?
A magnet or theme school is typically a school within a local school district that offers a certain instructional program. Many magnet or theme schools may have admissions criteria such as: test scores; teacher recommendations; or grades. Charter schools operate independently from the local district and are not allowed to have admissions criteria. For example, a charter school cannot require students to pass a test or have a certain grade point average to be admitted.
What is the difference between a charter school and a private school?
Charter schools are public schools of choice. Unlike private schools, charter schools receive public funding, cannot charge tuition, and are not allowed to have admissions criteria. Also unlike private schools, charter schools are subject to many of the same state and all federal regulations as traditional public schools. For example, charter schools participate in the same statewide assessments and accountability measures as traditional public schools.
Do charter schools have admissions requirements?
No, charter schools do not have admissions requirements other than residing in the school's designated attendance zone. Charter schools, as public schools, must adhere to the same open admission and enrollment standards as traditional public schools. If more families seek to enroll in a charter school than space permits, the school will hold a random lottery to determine which students are admitted.
Do charter schools serve students with special needs?
Yes. Charter schools, as public schools, are required to comply with IDEA and section 504.
How do I enroll my student in a charter school?
Visit our Find a School page to explore the state charter school options available to you. There may also be locally-approved charter schools available in your area. This information can be found through your local board of education or on the Georgia Charter Schools Association website.
To enroll in a charter school, students must reside in the school's designated attendance zone. Charter schools establish an enrollment period when families can submit applications for the school. This information can be found on the school website. If more students apply to enroll than space allows, the school will hold a randomized lottery to determine who is admitted.
What is the role of the SCSC?
The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is the state's independent charter school authorizer. The SCSC reviews and approves petitions from applicants seeking to establish charter schools. Charter school applicants can seek approval through the SCSC after being denied by a local board of education or if the school wishes to serve a broad geographic attendance zone that crosses school district boundaries. Once approved, the SCSC provides oversight to state charter school governing boards and ensures that boards are fulfilling their academic, operational and financial obligations as outlined in the school's charter contracts and the law.
What is the role of the charter school governing board?
The charter school governing board is responsible for overseeing the operations of the school and ensuring that the school fulfills its contractual and legal obligations. Georgia law provides broad autonomy to charter school boards to make decisions regarding school operations, including staffing, curriculum, student discipline and finances.
How do I understand my state charter school's performance?
The SCSC annually evaluates state charter school performance in the area of academics, operations and finance. In academics, state charter schools are expected to provide students with a better educational opportunity by academically outperforming the school's comparison district (attendance zones). Schools can outperform on any of six different measures by demonstrating that students are achieving at higher levels (content mastery) or making greater academic progress (student growth) than their peers. The operational portion determines if a school is meeting its legal obligations and the financial portion evaluates the financial health of the school. You may find state charter school performance evaluations here.
Should I contact the SCSC or the charter school governing board with my concern?
Georgia law provides broad autonomy to charter school governing boards to make decisions regarding school operations and therefore, the governing board is best equipped to quickly resolve the concerns of students and families. Families should contact the SCSC when they are concerned that a charter school governing board has violated its contractual obligations or Georgia law, or if a board is not responsive to their complaints.
How do I contact my state charter school's governing board?
State charter schools are required to include contact information for the governing board on the school's website. Additionally, governing boards hold public meetings throughout the year and most boards allow a public comment period. The board meeting schedule must be published on the school's website.

Learn About Charter Schools-Charter Schools NYC

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS = SUCCESS IN STUDIES

Charter Schools for All

Did you know that charter schools are free public schools open to all students in New York City? Today, 275 charter schools are attended by 140,000 students from all walks of life, including English learners and students with special needs. Charter schools do not select students based on prior knowledge. Parents simply complete a short application and students are placed into the school based on random lottery results. Charter schools cater for children of all ages, from preschool through high school. There are such schools in all five boroughs of New York. college and future career. nine0005

Charter schools prepare students for college and future careers

Research shows that New York's charter schools are some of the best in the country. According to the latest data, charter school students consistently score higher on public academic tests than their peers from other schools, especially blacks and Hispanics. In the 2018/19 school year, several charter schools delivered the best test scores in the entire state!

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“I love being able to keep in touch with my 6 year old daughter's teachers at her charter school. I really feel like a full participant in my child's education - I can always see what's going on in the classroom and participate in activities for students”

- Valerie Babb, student parent Harlem Link Charter School

Charter Schools in the Five Boroughs of New York

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Charter School Innovation

Charter schools operate independently of the New York City Department of Education. This allows them to be more flexible in managing schools, developing academic programs and hiring staff. Many charter schools not only focus on the core subjects of English and math, but also offer art, science, and language programs. Charter schools often use innovative approaches to teaching, such as longer school days and longer school years, which promote student success and better preparation for college and future careers. nine0005

How to apply - don't be late!

The application period usually runs from October to April 1, with enrollment occurring the following fall. Many charter schools accept applications year-round and notify families of applicants when a spot becomes available.

There are 3 easy ways to apply for a charter school:

You can do this through the Common Online Charter School Application,
where you can apply to multiple schools at once. Visit site
nyccharterschools.schoolmint.net today!
You can go to any charter school's website and apply online or download a paper application.
You can visit the school of your choice and apply in person. A list of charter schools in your area can be found at
nyccharterschools.org/school-search .

Have a question? need more information?

How to enroll a child in school in the USA - Immigrant today

Hello everyone! This is Shushanik, author of the blog “USAdvice.ru. All about the USA. And today, as I promised in yesterday's video, I will talk about registering a child for school. I was once asked this question, but at that time I was not at all familiar with the system for registering children in school. And just recently, my friends came here, and they registered the child in elementary school. And I helped with the design, and I learned the process of how it all happens. So today I will talk about it. I’ll make a reservation right away that, perhaps, this only applies to California. I suspect that the rules are approximately the same everywhere, but each state may have its own laws, that is, somewhere, maybe some additional piece of paper is needed. What I'm going to talk about is specifically about California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley. nine0005

The first thing to know is that it is best to enroll your children in school before the start of the school year, because then you can get into the school you belong to. If you watched my video on finding apartments in the USA, then you probably already know that here, unlike the CIS countries, a child can only be sent to the school that your home is assigned to. That is, if you are in a microdistrict or, as they say here, a district, of a particular school, only your child can go there. nine0005

Therefore, it often happens here that identical houses, literally located on opposite streets, can cost very different amounts, because if the house belongs to a good district, and there is a good school, then the house will cost much more. Therefore, the children of the owner of this house will go to a good school. And if the house on the opposite side of the street belongs to a bad school, then, accordingly, it will cost much less, because the children will have to go to a bad school. nine0005

If you register a child before the school year begins, in my opinion, there until August, if I'm not mistaken, they have a deadline for receiving documents, then you will definitely enroll him in a school that belongs to your home. If it happens in the middle of the school year, as happened in this case, then there may be difficulties. It so happened that the school, to which the house in which this child lives, the parents of the child, was registered, was completely packed. They enrolled him in the fifth grade, and the fifth grade was full, so they had to choose from the three remaining schools in this district that had free places. nine0005

In this situation, it was not so important, except that it took longer to transport the child, it takes more time, but all the schools there were approximately the same. In another district, it may turn out that even if you live where there is a good school, it may already be full, and the child will have to go to a bad one. This situation may also arise. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that you may not be in the school you belong to if you enroll your child in the middle of the year. nine0005

So let's talk about what it takes to enroll a child in elementary school. The junior school here is from kindergarten, that is, from the age of five, it's like a preparatory class, and up to the fifth, including the fifth grade. In order to enroll a child in a school, you must go to this school, take an admission packet from their office, they will give it to you, and fill it out.

I'll tell you right away what documents are needed so that people know what to bring with them. Naturally, the birth certificate of the child. It needs to be translated into English, but you can do it yourself, they do not require any translator's translations, notarized, at least they did not require anything. You can translate everything yourself. You also need a certificate of vaccinations, exactly the same certificate with which you enroll a child in a school in Ukraine, at least. That is, with the seal of a clinic or a doctor. You can bring exactly the same certificate here, but, again, it must be translated. You can also translate it. nine0005

I'll tell you now what vaccinations are needed here. In principle, the same as in Ukraine. There was only one difference. So, 4 vaccinations against polio, in Ukraine it was the same. Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough - 5 vaccinations, the same. Measles, mumps, rubella - 2 vaccinations. Hepatitis B - 3 vaccinations. And also either a chickenpox vaccine, which is not done in the CIS countries, or proof that the child was sick. That is, if the child had chickenpox, the doctor must write the date when he was ill and sign. They also want a manta to be made within the last six months. But, the fact is that even if you make it in your own country, when you come here, they still want to make it anew. So be prepared for that too. nine0005

And the only difference that was in this case is that they here also want a whooping cough shot to give the child at 7 years old when he starts school.