What is a Charter School?

A charter school is a deregulated public school.

It is typically authorized, or "chartered", by a public agency.

It typically has more freedom and flexibility than a traditional school can get through magnet status or waivers.

A charter school may not charge tuition and it may not discriminate.

Charter schools are typically smaller than regular schools and they have specific academic targets and themes to achieve as part of their contract with the chartering entity.

Charter schools typically focus on a new curriculum approach, a new school organization approach or some other features that set them apart from what a traditional public school would offer.