What is a charter school?
Charter schools are independently-operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. All charter schools operate under a contract with a charter school authorizer – usually a nonprofit organization, government agency, or university – that holds them accountable to the high standards outlined in their “charter.” It is common to see charter schools led by former teachers who wanted to take the lessons they learned in the classroom and apply those lessons to an entire school.
Charter Schools Within the Concept Schools Network Are Authorized By
Each of the more than 7,000 charter schools across the country is unique – both inside and out. Some focus on college prep, some follow a STEM curriculum, and others integrate the arts into each subject. Most charter schools are located in cities, but there are charter schools in suburban and rural areas as well. Some charter schools require uniforms, others have longer school days, and some teach their entire curriculum in two languages. The possibilities are endless, but charter schools aim to provide a range of options so that parents can choose the public school that best fits their child.
There are more than 35 charter schools within the Concept Schools network. Each focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and College-Preparation. Schools are located in historically underserved communities and enroll students ranging in age from early childhood through 12th-grade.
The reasons that parents choose charter schools for their children are just as unique as the students themselves. They choose charter schools because of the strong, dedicated teachers, because the school's focus matches their child’s needs, or simply because their child was struggling in their assigned public school and needed to try something new. Charter schools provide families with options in public education, allowing parents to take a more active role in their child’s education.
One of several types of school choice, charter schools are public schools that do not select students and do not charge any tuition. They are truly schools of choice, and the families that choose to enroll their students in a Concept School have Chosen Wisely.
Learn more about charter schools from the National Alliance for Charter Public Schools. https://www.publiccharters.org/
Understanding the Charter Model
Charter schools are independently-operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ unique needs. They operate under a contract with a charter school authorizer that holds them accountable for the school’s success and craft curriculum that aligns with state standards.
It is common for charter schools to be led by former teachers who apply their classroom experience to create innovative learning environments. Concept Schools, the charter management organization we have partnered with, helps shape the vision we want for our school.
Charter Schools Within the Concept Schools Network Are Authorized By
Unique Approaches to Education
It is well-documented that a one-size-fits-all education doesn’t work for every student. In fact, Stanford University’s Center for Research on Educational Outcomes conducted a 15-year study that compared the performance of charter schools to traditional public schools. The results were eye-opening, as the typical charter school student outpaced their TPS peers in reading and math gains. Specifically, Black and Hispanic students in charter schools also advanced more in reading and math while English-language learner students and students in poverty showcased stronger growth.
There are thousands of charter schools across the country who show every day there’s more than one effective route to take when it comes to their child’s education. The results speak for themselves.
Excellence in STEM & College Preparation
There are more than 40 charter schools within the Concept Schools network, each dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and college preparation. Our schools serve historically underserved communities and enroll students from early childhood through 12th grade.
Why Parents Choose Charter Schools
Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent has to make. Charter schools make that choice easier because they provide:
- A curriculum tailored to each child’s needs
- High accountability for teachers to generate student growth
- A school choice for families based on quality––not zoning
No Tuition, No Selection Process: Just High-Quality Education
As public schools, charter schools do not charge tuition and do not select students based on ability or background. Families who enroll their students at a Concept network school make the wise choice to be a part of our community because of the high-quality education we offer.
Watch this video to see how Concept Schools makes a difference: