Why Choose a Charter
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are unique public schools that have the freedom to be more innovative in instructional practices, while maintaining accountability for student achievement. As a result, Charter Schools raise the bar for what is possible in public education.
Charter schools foster a partnership between parents, teachers and students to create an environment in which parents can be more involved, teachers are given the freedom to be innovative in their classrooms to help improve learning, and students are provided the structure they need to learn. This holds all groups accountable for the most important goal: improving student achievement.
Charter schools are held accountable to state and federal academic standards, ensuring a high-quality education for their students. There are more than 6,000 charter schools across 42 states and the District of Columbia educating more than 2 million children.
The Colorado League of Charter Schools explains charter schools in a brief video.
Charter schools are unique public schools that have the freedom to be more innovative in instructional practices, while maintaining accountability for student achievement. As a result, Charter Schools raise the bar for what is possible in public education.
Charter schools foster a partnership between parents, teachers and students to create an environment in which parents can be more involved, teachers are given the freedom to be innovative in their classrooms to help improve learning, and students are provided the structure they need to learn. This holds all groups accountable for the most important goal: improving student achievement.
Charter schools are held accountable to state and federal academic standards, ensuring a high-quality education for their students. There are more than 6,000 charter schools across 42 states and the District of Columbia educating more than 2 million children.
The Colorado League of Charter Schools explains charter schools in a brief video.
How do charter schools differ from traditional district public schools?
Charter schools operate on 3 basic principles:
Charter schools operate on 3 basic principles:
- Accountability: Charter schools are held accountable for how well they educate children, not for compliance with district and state regulations. They must meet the student achievement goals established by their charter. In addition, they must successfully manage the fiscal and operational responsibilities entrusted to them. Charter schools must operate lawfully and responsibly, with the highest regard for equity and excellence. If they fail to deliver, they are closed.
- Choice: Parents, teachers, community groups, organizations, or individuals interested in creating additional educational opportunities for children can start charter schools. Local and state school boards, colleges and universities, and other community agencies can sponsor a charter school. Students choose to attend, and teachers choose to teach at charter schools.
- Autonomy: Charter schools are freed from the traditional bureaucracy and regulations that some feel divert a school's energy and resources toward compliance rather than excellence. Proponents of charter schools argue that instead of jumping through procedural hoops and over paperwork hurdles, educators can focus on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.
How are charter schools funded?
Charter schools are public schools, and like district public schools, they are funded according to enrollment (also called per pupil operating revenue, or PPR), and receive funding from the district according to the number of students attending.
Charter schools are public schools, and like district public schools, they are funded according to enrollment (also called per pupil operating revenue, or PPR), and receive funding from the district according to the number of students attending.