Frequently Asked Questions

 What is a charter school?

Charter schools are secular, tuition-free, open enrollment public schools of choice that are freed from many local and state regulations and union contract constraints. They control their own curriculum, staffing, organization and budget. In exchange for this freedom, they must deliver the academic results that they have promised.

Are charter schools "public" schools?

Yes. A charter school is a public school, funded by the public and accountable to the public.

How do charter schools differ from traditional public schools?

Charter schools are established by educators, community organizations, and/or parents, and are exempt from some state and school district regulations. Students who attend charter schools do so by choice, not by assignment; similarly, educators who teach at charter schools do so by choice. Finally, charter schools can be closed for producing unsatisfactory results.

What is a "charter"?

The "charter" is a contract for sponsorship that a sponsor (Fordham) enters into with the governing board of a charter school. The contract for sponsorship sets forth what the school seeks to accomplish, how its performance will be measured and what level of achievement it will attain. A governing board that fails to comply with the terms of its charter may have its charter placed on probation, suspended, terminated, or not renewed