What is a charter school?
Are charter schools public or private?
Who can start a charter school?
Who serves on the charter schools' governing boards?
Is there a tuition fee to pay?
How are charter schools funded?
Can anyone go to a charter school?
Where are the charter schools in Western New York?
Are there campus tours for prospective students?
How do parents register students for charter schools in Western New York?
Where do I purchase my child's uniform?
What should my son or daughter do if having academic problems?
Is summer school offered?
Are there job openings at any charter schools in Buffalo-Niagara Region?

A public charter school is a publicly funded school that, in accordance with an enabling state statute, has been granted a charter exempting it from selected state or local rules and regulations. A charter school may be newly created, or it may previously have been a public or private school; it is typically governed by a group or organization (e.g., a group of educators, a corporation, or a university) under a contract or charter with the state. In return for funding and autonomy, the charter school must meet accountability standards. A school's charter is reviewed (typically every 3 to 5 years) and can be revoked if guidelines on curriculum and management are not followed or the standards are not met. (taken from www.nationsreportcard.gov)

Charter schools are public institutions that receive funding from the state. There are no entrance examinations or requirements of students to be admitted to charter schools.

Parents, community leaders, businesses, teachers, school districts, and municipalities can submit a charter school proposal to their state's charter authorizing entity in order to begin the process of establishing a charter school. In New York State, the following agencies authorize charter schools: Buffalo Public School District, Charter School Institute, Charter Schools Unit of the New York State Department of Education. (taken from www.uscharterschools.org)

All charter schools are governed by a Board of Trustees whose responsibility is to uphold the mission of the school. Charter school boards are typically composed of parents of charter school students, educators, and various community members dedicated to improving the choices in public education. Trustees are nominated and elected on the basis of a firm commitment to the mission, goals and objectives of their respective charter schools.

Because charter schools are publicly funded institutions, they cannot charge tuition fees.

Charter schools are funded, primarily, through their respective state education agencies. Charter schools that are operated by management companies also receive support from those companies.

Any student can attend any charter school that has availability for prospective students' grade level.

There are 15 charter schools throughout Western New York. Visit our charter schools page for more information.

Campus tours and open houses are organized by the individual charter schools. Contact the schools that you are interested in to get more information.

Each charter school in Western New York has their own application for enrollment. Parents and guardians should contact the school that they want to apply to and request an application for enrollment.

If your child attends a charter school where uniforms are required or there is a dress code, you should inquire about where to purchase attire or what the dress code requirements are at the school's main office. (Not all charter schools require uniforms or have dress codes.)

The first person students should always talk with is their teacher. If they need further advice they can proceed to the school counselor. If the difficulty is in a specific subject area there are other sources of help that their teacher can direct them to.

Each charter school offers unique programs during the summer. Please, contact your charter school for more information.

Please visit the individual web-sites of local charter schools for this information.