Charter Schools

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New: The 2010-2011 New York City Common Charter School Application is now available.  You can download, print, complete and submit this application to one of our 99 charter schools citywide.

What is a Charter School?

Charter schools are publicly funded and open to all students in New York City through a non-discriminatory admissions lottery. Each charter school is governed by a not-for-profit board of trustees which may include educators, community members, and leaders from the private sector. Charters have freedom to establish their own policies, design their own educational program, and manage their human and financial resources. Charter schools are accountable, through the terms of a five-year performance contract, for high student achievement.

Charter schools were established to:

  • Provide families with an increased number of high quality school choices;
  • Improve student achievement;
  • Increase learning opportunities for all students, with an emphasis on at-risk students;
  • Encourage use of innovative teaching methods/educational designs;
  • Create new professional opportunities for teachers, administrators, school staff;
  • Change from rule-based to performance based accountability

More Information:

For Parents

For Charter Schools

For Aspiring Charter School Leaders