Tuition-free and available to all

Charter public schools are not private schools. Charter public schools in Washington are non-religious, nonprofits and non-sectarian in their practices. Like traditional public schools, charter public schools are subject to certification and standardization requirements set at the state and national level.

Accountable

The charter public school commission is one part of a multi-pronged system of accountability that includes the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) and each charter public school’s Board of Directors. A difference between charter public schools and traditional public schools is that a charter public school not serving kids effectively is evaluated quickly and can be closed.

Flexible

Every charter public school must meet the requirements of a contract (their “charter”). In exchange for rigorous oversight, charter public schools are streamlined from many of the layers within the traditional public school system and have autonomy that allows their teachers and administrators to develop and implement the learning experience that is best suited for the students they serve. One way charter public schools and traditional public schools are the same, is that both are subject to certification and standards requirements set at the state and national level.