What is a Charter School?
Charter schools are public schools that are tuition-free and open to any student in Mississippi
When you support Mississippi charter schools, you support strong public schools in our communities.
Charter schools have the flexibility to meet the unique learning needs of every child.
Charter schools create a supportive community where all students are welcomed and valued. We personalize instruction to meet each student’s learning style, offering high quality, individualized education that helps them reach their full potential, regardless of background.
Charter schools are focused on preparing students for future success.
We have high expectations for our students. Mississippi charter schools provide an academically rigorous environment that prepares students for college and helps them build fulfilling careers and lives.
Charter schools are trusted partners in building stronger communities.
Charter school educators work alongside students, families, and the broader community to strengthen public education in Mississippi. Ultimately, when a public school system includes strong charter schools, the whole community benefits.
What Makes MS Charter Schools Special
A Deeper Look at Charter Schools
Charter schools are independent public schools that operate with more flexibility to meet students’ needs in exchange for greater accountability to families and taxpayers. Charter schools are named for the contract, or charter, they sign with an authorizer, the government entity that grants permission to create charter schools. The charter outlines the school’s goals, including academic and financial performance targets, and in return, the school has the flexibility to create its own teaching methods and curriculum. A charter contract typically lasts five years. If the school meets its goals, it continues to operate; if not, the authorizer can close it.
Just like traditional public schools, charter schools:
- Must accept all students who apply, and if there’s not enough room, they use a random lottery system for admissions.
- Are funded through the same per-pupil funding formulas and receive local, state, and federal funding to operate.
- Are subject to the same state and federal accountability including standardized tests, accountability grades, and independent financial audits.
- Are subject to the same state and federal protections, including health, safety, disability, civil rights, and anti-discrimination laws.
Charter schools are unique because they…
- Operate with a different governing structure, with charter schools overseen by nonprofit boards instead of school boards.
- Have greater autonomy and flexibility, with charter school principals having more flexibility to manage the school budget, set the academic curriculum, and extend the amount of instructional time. High-performing charters have used this flexibility to produce innovative practices that have resulted in student success.
- Must meet strict performance goals in academics and finances. If the school does not meet the standards outlined in its charter, it can be closed down.