Charter Schools

What are Charter Schools?

 

Charter Schools are independent, innovative public schools that are accountable for student results. They are designed to deliver programs focused on educational excellence and the needs of the communities they serve through a partnership between parents, teachers, and students.

Charter schools are one of the fastest and most successful growing reforms in the country. The first charter schools opened its doors in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1992 and now, a decade and a half later, more than 3600 schools are serving over 1 million children, across 40 states and the District of Columbia.

Based on the belief that America’s public schools should meet standards of excellence and beheld accountable, parents are lining up to choose these innovative public schools that are able to meet the individual needs of their children.

Public Charter Schools are intended to improve our nation’s public school system. Charter Schools are public schools because, while they operate independently of the school district, they are:

  • tuition-free and open to students, regardless of city or district residence

  • non-sectarian, and do not discriminate on any basis

  • publicly funded by local, state and federal tax dollars based on enrollment, like other public schools

  • held accountable to state and federal academic standards

 

What makes Charter Schools, Public Schools?

How do Charter Schools differ from traditional District Public Schools?

 

Charter Schools operate on three basic principles:

  • Choice

    • Charter Schools give families an opportunity to pick the school most suitable for their child’s educational well-being.

    • Teachers choose to work at schools where they directly shape the best learning environment for their students and working environment for themselves.

  • Accountability

    • Charter Schools are judged on how well they meet the student achievement goals. Charter schools must also show that they can perform according to rigorous fiscal and managerial standards.

  • Freedom

    • While Charter Schools must adhere to the same laws and regulations as all other public schools, Charter School leaders can focus on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.

Educational Quality: The primary reason for charter schools is to ensure every child has access to a quality education. With the freedom and choice afforded to Charter Schools, they set higher standards and then, must meet them to stay in business.

Focus on the students: Perhaps most important, a Charter School is setup around the needs ofchildren. The focus should always be on the kids, and programs should be designed to help children succeed, no matter what it takes.

Safe, stronger, communities: Charter Schools typically engage local businesses and other organizations to help provide resources and services to the school and its families. Charter Schools have a proven effect on the strength and safety of acommunity.

 

Why are Charter Schools so popular?

Arizona State Board of Charter Schools Dashboard 

In accordance with  A.A.C. R7‐5‐501(E), Camelback Academy is providing the link to the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools Dashboard which includes ACADEMIC, FINANCIAL, and OPERATIONAL performance information for the school. 

Please click HERE to visit the ASBCS Dashboard.