• High standards for
  performance and behavior
• Foreign language instruction,
  Greek and Spanish
• No neighborhood boundaries
• Differentiated instruction
• Strong parent participation
• Small school environment
• Certified, highly qualified teachers
• STUDENTS ATTEND THE
  SAME SCHOOL FROM KINDERGARTEN-GRADE 8

Charter schools are independent PUBLIC schools. They are TUITION-FREE and open to all students. In Florida, charter schools must be approved to operate by the state department of education and are part of the state system of public education. Each charter school is legally like a small public school district. Charter schools are governed by a board of directors elected from among teachers, parents and interested community members.

     They are not privately "owned". Charter schools are allowed some freedoms that district schools are not, and in return they are held to a higher standard of academic and financial accountability. Unlike district schools, under-performing or financially insolvent charter schools can be dissolved almost immediately.

     Charter schools offer programs, curriculum, schedules and services that traditional district schools choose not to provide. Teachers in Florida charter schools must meet the same licensing requirements as all other public school teachers. As with all public schools, charter schools are primarily funded with public monies (tax dollars), however, almost uniformly across the country they receive less money per student (sometimes significantly less) than district.