What are charter schools?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are charter schools?
These are public, tuition-free primary or secondary schools that are tax supported but operate without most local and state educational regulations in order to achieve set goals. They are established by a charter between a granting body (such as a school district) and an outside group.
Do charter schools have admission requirements?
Charter schools are required to admit all applicants—regardless of academic performance or place of residence. When there is greater demand than can be met, there is a lottery to select who can enroll and many have
GRAPHIC: Charter schools show steady growth
Charter schools continue to show strong growth in California.
GRAPHIC: California's new charter schools
California expects to add close to 90 charter schools this year.
Flexibility helps charter schools to thrive in down economy
White House photo by Pete SouzaPresident Obama visits a charter school.
Public charter schools in California are skirting the worst impact of the state’s budget crisis, even as traditional public schools shorten the school year, increase class sizes and lay off teachers and staff by the thousands.
The number of charter schools could expand by almost 90 this fall, helped in many cases by an infusion of federal government and philanthropic support. Many are also able to reduce costs by hiring younger and less
