Charter schools are public schools that operate independently according to the terms of a five-year performance contract or “charter.” Charter schools can be established by educators, parents, community leaders, and not-for-profit organizations, and are approved only after a rigorous review process. Once charter schools open, they are governed by a not-for-profit Board of Trustees and are held to specific standards.
Most charter schools provide an innovative alternative to conventional NYC public schools.
Benefits of charter schools include:
- INNOVATION: charters enable enabling teachers to be more creative and innovative in their teaching methods, length of school day and year, and subject matter;
- ACCESS: providing an added education resource in areas underserved by public schools;
- CHOICE: allowing parents to choose a school based on what they think will work best for their children;
- ACCOUNTABILITY: for meeting and exceeding academic, operational, and fiduciary goals
Charter schools are one of the fastest growing innovations in education and are supported on the city, state, and federal government level.
