WA Charter
Charter public schools provide education choices for families seeking resources that best empower their children to learn and thrive.
In Washington, charter public schools are public schools. Like all public schools, they are tuition-free and available to all. Charter public schools operate as nonprofits and 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. This additional flexibility comes with tougher measures for student achievement and accountability for student outcomes.
Expansions
An authorized charter public school may apply for an expansion if they seek to serve students beyond their current capacity. An applicant must be an existing charter public school operating in good standing in order to be eligible to apply for expansion. Different types of expansion include serving younger or older students within a community or expanding to a new school building. Just as with an application for a potential new charter public school, the Commission evaluates expansion applications through a rigorous accountability and performance framework. Any expansion must be centered around the best interest of the students in the community served by the applying school.
2023 Contract Expansions
**Supplemental expansion materials for Catalyst Public Schools: Bremerton will be added throughout the expansion consideration period.**
To provide public comment regarding any schools eligible for renewal, please contact the Commission by:
- Email: charterschoolinfo@k12.wa.us
- Phone: 360-725-5511
- Mail: P.O. Box 40996, Olympia, WA 98504-0996
- Written or oral public comment at a Commission meeting (instructions may be found here and a schedule of Commission meetings may be found here)
Public comment for 2023 expansions is due by October 2, 2023.
2022 Contract Expansions
Expansion Materials
**Supplemental expansion materials for Rainier Valley Leadership Academy will be added throughout the expansion consideration period through early November 2022.**
To provide public comment regarding any schools eligible for renewal, please contact the Commission by:
- Email: charterschoolinfo@k12.wa.us
- Phone: 360-725-5511
- Mail: P.O. Box 40996, Olympia, WA 98504-0996
- Written or oral public comment at a Commission meeting (instructions may be found here and a schedule of Commission meetings may be found here)
Public comment for 2022 expansions is due by October 31, 2022.
Renewals
Charter renewal marks a critical juncture for a school, and the renewal decision is one of the Charter School Commission’s most important responsibilities as a charter school authorizer. At renewal, the Commission must determine whether a school has met its public commitments to the children and families it serves, as well as to the community. The renewal process requires thorough analyses of a comprehensive body of quantitative and qualitative data based on annual performance reviews over the charter term; the school’s renewal application; and a renewal site visit. It culminates in a Commission decision to renew or non-renew the charter.
2024 Contract Renewals
**Supplemental renewal materials for Impact | Salish Sea Elementary will be added throughout the renewal period.**
To provide public comment regarding any schools eligible for renewal, please contact the Commission by:
- Email: charterschoolinfo@k12.wa.us
- Phone: 360-725-5511
- Mail: P.O. Box 40996, Olympia, WA 98504-0996
- Written or oral public comment at a Commission meeting (instructions may be found here and a schedule of Commission meetings may be found here)
Public comment for 2024 renewals opens on April 9, 2024 and will end 10 days prior to the commission decision.
**Supplemental renewal materials for Impact | Puget Sound Elementary will be added throughout the renewal period.**
To provide public comment regarding any schools eligible for renewal, please contact the Commission by:
- Email: charterschoolinfo@k12.wa.us
- Phone: 360-725-5511
- Mail: P.O. Box 40996, Olympia, WA 98504-0996
- Written or oral public comment at a Commission meeting (instructions may be found here and a schedule of Commission meetings may be found here)
Public comment for 2024 renewals opens on April 9, 2024 and will end 10 days prior to the commission decision.
**Supplemental renewal materials for Catalyst: Bremerton will be added throughout the renewal period.**
To provide public comment regarding any schools eligible for renewal, please contact the Commission by:
- Email: charterschoolinfo@k12.wa.us
- Phone: 360-725-5511
- Mail: P.O. Box 40996, Olympia, WA 98504-0996
- Written or oral public comment at a Commission meeting (instructions may be found here and a schedule of Commission meetings may be found here)
Public comment for 2024 renewals opens on April 9, 2024 and will end 10 days prior to the commission decision.
Transition to Kindergarten
Transition to Kindergarten (TK) is for students who will be age 4 by August 31 of the year in which they enroll, and who have been determined through an approved screening process to be in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten the following year.
The Commission adopted a TK policy in October of 2024. The policy adopted by the Commission summarizes some of the key requirements that OSPI has established for TK, and the OSPI rules (WAC 392-425) and guidance (Transition to Kindergarten (ospi.k12.wa.us)), following the Legislature’s adoption of Transition to Kindergarten in RCW 28A.300.072 (RCW 28A.300.072: Transition to kindergarten program. (wa.gov)).
More Info
Oversight & Accountability
Charter public schools have additional accountability requirements beyond those of traditional public schools.
Contracts
A charter contract is a fixed term, renewable contract between a qualified non-profit organization and the Commission.
Program Policies
Commission may adopt policies relating to their function and statutorily mandated responsibilities of the regulation of charter public schools.