What is a charter school?

A charter school is a tuition-free public school that is independently run. It receives greater flexibility in exchange for increased accountability. The school is established by a “charter,” which is a performance contract describing key elements of the school.

Charters are open to all students in Alabama, but preference is given to students who live in the district where the charter school is located. There are two kinds of charter schools in Alabama. A start-up charter school operates as a single independent campus or within a network of other charter schools, governed by their own board and managed independently. Conversion charter schools are schools that a local district decides to convert into a charter school. Conversion charters are run by an independent board, and overseen by the district. A charter’s board makes most of the major decisions about how the school is run. A charter school has more autonomy than a district school, and its board can make unique decisions about the school’s management. Charters determine their own curriculum, calendar, and schedules. They hire their own teachers and decide whether or not their teachers need to be certified. In exchange, charter schools have more accountability than district schools. Their students must meet specific academic performance goals, established by the school’s charter or contract.

In Alabama, charter schools receive 5-year charters, or contracts, that include annual evaluations of the school’s performance. The charter includes the school’s mission, objectives, curriculum, fiscal management procedures, strategic plan, and student performance goals, including achievement, attendance, and growth benchmarks. As of the 2024-2025 school year, Alabama charter schools serve about 8,500 students.

Charter schools were first implemented in Minnesota over 30 years ago as a way to empower educators to start their own schools to implement new teaching methods and promote innovation. In recent years, charters have become a vital component of the school choice movement. For some families, charters are an alternative for students who are zoned for chronically underperforming schools. Charters provide students with opportunities they would not have through the district public school system, and provide families with options beyond their zoned school.

 

Alabama’s Charter Schools

Elmore County

  • Ivy Classical

Fairfield County

  • Independence Prep

Jefferson County

  • Legacy Prep
  • I3 Academy
  • Magic City Acceptence Academy
  • Freedom Prep
  • Alabama Aerospace and Aviation
  • Empower Community School

Mobile County

  • Acceleration Day and Evening Academy
  • Covenant Academy of Mobile
  • Floretta P. Carson

Montgomery County

  • LEAD Academy
  • Life Academy
  • Davis Elementary (conversion)
  • Nixon Elementary (conversion)
  • Bellingrath Middle School (conversion)

Perry County

  • Breakthrough Charter

Sumter County

  • University Charter

Tuscaloosa County

  • I Dream Big Academy

Additional Reading

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The Big Idea:

Every child deserves a great school, but this remains out of reach for too many students. High-quality public charter schools provide additional opportunities to serve the needs of these students and families.

Key Terms:

Start-up Charter School: Start-up charter schools are created by nonprofit organizations independent from a local school district. The organization must enter a contract with a charter authorizer, which can be either a local school district or the Alabama Public Charter School Commission (APCSC).

Conversion Charter School: Conversion charter schools are created when local school districts that are charter authorizers identify a struggling school and allow a separate organization to govern and operate the school, with the school remaining a part of the local district.

Charter: Performance contract describing key elements of the school

Authorizer: Organization that holds a contract, or charter, with the charter school. This can be the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, or the local school board if they choose to be an authorizer.

Charter Management Organizations (CMOs): Nonprofit group that operates or manages multiple charter schools. They provide centralized support, operations, and oversight.

Start-up Charter School: Start-up charter schools are created by nonprofit organizations independent from a local school district. The organization must enter a contract with a charter authorizer, which can be either a local school district or the Alabama Public Charter School Commission (APCSC). Conversion Charter School: Conversion charter schools are created when local school districts that are charter authorizers identify a struggling school and allow a separate organization to govern and operate the school, with the school remaining a part of the local district. Charter: Performance contract describing key elements of the school Authorizer: Organization that holds a contract, or charter, with the charter school. This can be the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, or the local school board if they choose to be an authorizer. Charter Management Organizations (CMOs): Nonprofit group that operates or manages multiple charter schools. They provide centralized support, operations, and oversight.

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