Charter schools commit to meeting the specific academic, financial, and operational performance goals outlined in their charter contract and state and federal law but have flexibility in determining how to achieve those goals.

Charter public schools, just like traditional public schools, are tuition-free and open to all students. They receive state funding based on a formula that considers the number of children enrolled in the school.

A charter authorizer is an entity designated by the state that is responsible for overseeing charter schools. In Colorado, authorizers include the state’s Charter School Institute as well as most school districts. Charter authorizers are responsible for 1) Setting and monitoring performance expectations. This includes setting transparent and rigorous performance expectations for academics, finance, and operations and monitoring school progress against these expectations, and 2) Reviewing and acting upon charter applications. This includes approving or denying new charter school applications as well as expansion, replication, renewal, and transfer applications for existing charter schools. Learn more about Colorado’s charter school authorizer context and CSI.

A charter school is accountable to the families in the school, the local school district or Charter School Institute, and the state. The charter school authorizer sponsors the charter school and, through a contract, has outlined certain provisions the charter school is responsible to fulfill. More details about the various ways a charter school is held accountable can be accessed here.