What Is a Charter School?

A charter school is . . .

  • . . . a public school, part of the local school district.
  • . . . publicly funded.
  • . . . able to have more autonomy than regular schools.
  • . . . run under a charter, or contract, with the local school board.
  • . . . operated by parents, teachers, or community members.
  • . . . able to hire its own teachers.
  • . . . a school of choice.

Do charter schools take money away
from public schools?

  • A charter school is a district public school.
  • Its students are district students.
  • Their parents are district taxpayers.
  • Its teachers become district teachers.
  • Funding follows the students.

 

Read more about Charter Schools, School Choice, and School Reform.

Read about the Cost of Charter Schools.