Charter schools are schools that specialize in educating students who have special needs or wish to try a different school experience. Charter schools operate in existing school districts but have different regulations than the public schools. Charter school students attend free of charge and benefit from better teacher-student ratios than most public schools. Starting a charter school is often a long and complicated process but becomes a rewarding endeavor in the end.
Instructions
1. Develop a mission statement for the school. All charter schools need a mission statement. Focus on the children you would like to help, as well as what the faculty, students and parents should expect from the school. Contact the director of the local school district and ask if there is any special information the district would like to include in the school's mission statement.
2. Review all state school regulations. A charter school is part of the local school district and has to comply with all of the state's education regulations.
3. Organize a committee to govern the school. This committee should include the director of the school district, members of the school board, teachers and parents. The committee should review and agree with the mission statement. The committee also needs to decide which students they want to admit into their charter school.
4. Create the school's policies. Draw up and have the committee vote on a basic list of policies. The policies should include safety, building, maintenance and staff issues and any local school district policies that apply. The committee should also agree on an incoming student application and on the application process. At the end of the first year these policies and applications should be review and updated if needed.
5. Review the curriculum requirements set by the state and the school district. Create curriculum guidelines. Include all of the classes and information about the curriculum the school needs. Present the guidelines to the charter school's committee for approval. Some charter schools use preset curriculum that come in books or from computer programs like the Pacer Programs. These programs allow students to work alone with minimal teaching required.
6. Fund the school. State and federal governments offer grants for charter schools. A small percentage of funding comes from the local school district. Look into using low interest loans and both corporate and personal investors.
7. Buy land or an existing building to house the school. Some school districts may have land or an unused building for the school to start with.
8. Purchase supplies such as books, desks, chalkboards, computers and anything else the teachers and students need. The school should have all the supplies in place before the students begin. Be careful not to go over your budget.
9. Hire faculty and staff. Some teachers in the district may wish to work with the new school. Discuss the rules, regulations and expectations with all of the faculty and staff.
10. Start taking applications for the students. The best time to start taking the applications for the new school is the spring or summer before the charter school opens. Send information about the school to the parents. Tell them about the school and where to pick up applications. Contact the area newspaper and place an ad or ask them to write a story about the charter school and include the information that you are now taking applications.
Tags: school district, charter school, local school, local school district, mission statement