A charter school is a publicly funded, tuition-free school that operates independently from the traditional state or local public school system. It functions under a performance contract, called a "charter," which grants the school greater autonomy in its operations and management in exchange for accountability to meet specific educational goals and standards
. Key characteristics of charter schools include:
- Public Funding and Tuition-Free: Charter schools receive government funding and do not charge tuition, making them accessible to all students within their enrollment area
- Autonomy: They have more flexibility than traditional public schools in curriculum design, staffing, and management, often allowing innovative educational approaches
- Accountability: Charter schools must meet the performance goals outlined in their charter, which is overseen by an authorizing body such as a school district, university, or nonprofit organization. Failure to meet these goals can result in closure
- Open Enrollment: They are open to all students without entrance requirements, and if oversubscribed, students are typically admitted by lottery
- Governance: Charter schools are often run by nonprofit organizations or charter management organizations, though some states allow for-profit entities to manage them under specific conditions
Charter schools aim to provide families with more educational choices while maintaining public school standards and accountability
