A charter school is a publicly funded, independently operated school that provides an alternative to traditional public schools. It operates under a charter or contract with a government entity, such as a state education board or local school district, which grants it greater flexibility in curriculum design, teaching methods, and operations in exchange for being held accountable for student performance and meeting specific goals. Charter schools are open to all students, free of charge, and are designed to foster innovation and provide families with more educational choices.

Charter schools cannot “limit admission based on ethnicity, national origin, gender, income level, disabling condition, English proficiency, measures of achievement, aptitude, or athletic ability.” They may enroll students whose legal residence is within the boundaries of the school district in which the school is located or who have transferred into the school district. Preference shall be given to resident students. If capacity is insufficient to enroll all interested, eligible students, charter schools must select students through a lottery.

Like any public school, charter schools receive state funding through the State Aid funding formula, set by law. Up to three percent of a school’s allocation may be retained by its sponsor for administrative costs. Charter schools may receive additional funding through public aid, grants and other revenue as well as private sources, but the schools must be nonprofit.

Charter school contracts can be approved for no longer than five years at a time, and must include criteria by which effectiveness of the school will be measured. Sponsors must give written notice and explanation of their intent to deny requests for renewal at least 8 months prior to expiration of contracts. However, if a charter school fails to meet the standards outlined in its contract, its sponsor may give only 90 days written notice of intent to terminate.

State law requires that all schools and school districts in the state of Oklahoma be evaluated annually and given a grade of A, B, C, D or F.

For further information, visit Oklahoma State Department of Education.