Delaware Charter School FAQ

Not sure how charter schools work in Delaware? DFM News provides a quick primer on the basics:

What is a charter school?

According to state law, a charter school is an independent public school, free of most state and school district rules and regulations, that is encouraged to use different, innovative or proven teaching and learning methods. Their goal is to provide improved school and student performance and to give parents and students greater opportunities in choosing public schools..

How many charter schools are authorized in Delaware?

There were 18 authorized charter schools operating during the 2010-11 school year, 14 chartered by the State Board of Education and four by the Red Clay Consolidated School District. Three more state-approved charters are scheduled to open in August. A school’s initial charter is renewable after four years. Subsequent renewals are five years apart.

Who manages charter schools?

Charter schools are managed by a board of directors, similar to the way a board of education manages a school district. The school’s day-to-day leader, comparable to a principal in a traditional school, might be designated as the director, headmaster, school leader or principal..

Where does the money to operate charter schools come from?.

Since they are public schools, charter schools may not charge tuition. They receive state funding based on the same unit-count formula that applies to traditional school district. They receive local funds, based on the student’s district of residence, under a complex formula that provides a little less than the local district’s average cost per student for the previous school year. (For 2011-2012, the payment will be based on costs for the 2010-2011 school year.) Charter school operators may apply for federal grants to cover some start-up costs.

One big difference: unlike traditional public schools, charter schools do not receive capital funds for construction or purchase of buildings.

How do I enroll my child in a charter school?

The charter school enrollment cycle parallels enrollments in the public school choice program. Contact the school for application details. Charter schools may give preference to siblings of current students, children of staff members, and students who live within the district where the school is located or within five miles of the building. For schools chartered by the state, if applications exceed spaces available, a lottery must be used to determine who is admitted.

from Delaware First Media