Frequently Asked Questions on Charter Schools – General Information

What are charter schools?

Charter schools are public schools that, by law, are free from many of the rules and regulations that apply to traditional public­ school districts. In exchange for this freedom, charter schools are to demonstrate positive outcomes such as individual student growth, parent involvement, and overall school academic achievement. Charter schools are governed by an independent board of a non­profit entity.

What is a “charter?”

The “charter” is the contract between a non­profit entity and an allowable sponsor. The “charter” explains what the school wants to do, how they will go about it, what they will accomplish, and how they will measure their performance. An entity that fails to comply with the terms of its charter will have its charter revoked.

What is a “sponsor?”

A “sponsor” is an entity that, under state law is allowed to open, oversee, renew and close charter schools.    They are the entity that has the authority to approve a charter school to open and then holds the charter school accountable for the conditions in their contract or “charter.” Sometimes sponsors are called “authorizers.”

Are charter schools considered “public schools?”

Yes, charters are public schools. They are open to the public, funded by the public and accountable to the public.

How do charter schools differ from district public schools?

Charter schools are established by teachers, parents, principals and educational experts and are autonomous from the public school system in their operations. A charter school will only remain open if it can consistently demonstrate sound performance and responsible governance.

Who can attend charter schools?

Charters are open to anyone. Like all public schools, charters may not discriminate based on race, religion, academic ability, disability or gender. Some charters may give priority to a neighborhood or to students who attended feeder schools, just like St. Louis Public Schools does. However, unlike SLPS, charter schools may not restrict enrollment based on academic performance. If there are more applicants than available seats, a lottery is used to determine who can attend.

Are charter schools diverse?

Yes. Charter schools have similar demographic characteristics as traditional public schools. Specific charter schools may choose to target a specific population (i.e. at ­risk students, high school drop outs.)

Can special education students attend charter schools?

Yes. Like all public schools, charter schools are required to accept students with disabilities, limited English proficiency or “at­ risk.”

Don’t charter schools “cream” the best students?

Charter schools are open to all children. Many who start charter schools do so to reach students with high needs. Missouri law requires that one­ third of a sponsor’s charter schools must target at­ risk students. Most charter schools in Missouri are over 83% free and reduce lunch.

May charter schools be religious based?

No. Charter schools are public schools and must be non­religious in their admissions, instruction, employment and all other operations. The curriculum must be secular. As with district schools, charter schools may partner with any community group for secular purposes.

Where can charter schools be located?

In Missouri, charter schools can only be located within the boundaries of the Kansas City Public Schools and the St. Louis Public Schools.

How do you establish a charter school in Missouri?

State law requires a sponsor approved application authorized by the State Board of Education in order to establish a charter school in Missouri.

Who has the authority to sponsor charters in St. Louis?

In Missouri, eligible sponsors are: the school board of the district and of the state; a public four­ year college or university with its primary campus in the St. Louis Public Schools District or in a county adjacent to the City of St. Louis, with an approved teacher education program that meets regional or national standards of accreditation; a community college located in the St. Louis Public Schools District; or any private four­ year college or university located in St. Louis City with an enrollment of at least one thousand students, and with an approved teacher preparation program.
As of this publication, state-­approved sponsors in the City of St. Louis are: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the University of Missouri-­St. Louis (UMSL), Harris ­Stowe University, Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), the University of Missouri­-Rolla (UMR), St. Louis University, Washington University, Missouri Baptist University, Webster University, University of Missouri­-Columbia (UMC), St. Louis Community College and the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS).
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Does Mayor of St. Louis have the authority to sponsor charter schools?

No, not at this time.

If the mayor cannot sponsor a charter school, how can he help?

Many potential charter school sponsors value the mayor’s opinion on an application. After going through this vigorous process, the mayor will help candidates identify potential sponsors, assist with technical issues, help secure a sponsor and gain authorization from the Missouri Board of Education

Can other mayors charter schools?

The Mayor of Indianapolis is the only mayor in the country with the authority to charter schools. Indianapolis was recognized for its outstanding application and authorization process by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. St. Louis is replicating this award winning process in selecting schools to support.

Why has Mayor Slay issued an RFP for charter schools?

St. Louis has it all – except enough quality public schools. The mayor dreams of the day when all children – regardless of race and income­­ will have access to a quality school with quality teachers. The mayor also understands that quality schools are the foundation for good neighborhoods.

What is the process to respond to the Mayor’s RFP for charter schools?

The guidelines for application begin on page 7.

What makes a Mayor qualified to support charter schools?

Municipal government is a highly skilled regulatory agency. We establish and monitor outcomes for a plethora of services. We create rules for zoning, fire and safety, building codes and health standards and then enforce the rules. Government works with business and non­profits alike to assure our citizens get the services needed.    Sometimes government delivers the services, and sometimes we contract with others to deliver the services. Our work can be applied to analyzing charter school applications and supporting those that can meet the needs of our citizens.
Neighborhood, civic and business leaders are joining the cries from parents for quality public schools in St. Louis. The Mayor is addressing their needs by championing quality charters that wish to open in St. Louis.

Is the Mayor’s support required to gain sponsorship?

No. Applicants may submit their applications directly to any eligible sponsor. The purpose of the RFP process is to identify high­-quality schools who wish to have the Mayor’s support. Those schools supported by the Mayor will receive assistance in finding a sponsor.

How difficult is it to establish a charter school?

The mayor wants quality charter schools. It will take a team of dedicated, smart people, with access to capital, and connections to community assets to create, open and sustain a good charter school. From concept to sponsorship, a charter application can take 18­24 months to complete. New school designs should plan at least 9­12 months from sponsorship to a successful opening.
Help is available. The Walton Family Foundation provides charter school application planning grants. Schools that successfully participate in the Mayor’s charter school review will have assistance in securing a sponsor. Once sponsored, charters supported by the mayor can access technical assistance from the Missouri Public Charter School Association. National organizations such as the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, as well as other national, state and local philanthropic organizations and government agencies are available to assist new charter schools.

Who can operate a charter school?

Missouri law limits charter school operators to non­profit corporation incorporated pursuant to chapter 355, RSMo.

Is any money available for capital?

Access to capital is a key component in charter school development. For some schools, the existing non­profit has been in business long enough to obtain a loan, and some can issue bonds. Below market­-rate lending is available through specialty financial organizations (see Appendix 7 for more information) for capital needs. Many charter applications partner with EMO’s who can assist the non­profit in acquiring capital.

How much money is available for operating?

There are several sources of operating revenue for charter schools. Charter schools are public schools and are entitled to the same public dollars distributed through the State’s foundation formula. Charter schools can receive federal dollars for children who are eligible. Additional private fundraising efforts are required for schools with expenses greater than the amount generated through public sources.
What additional resources are available to start a charter school in St. Louis?
Many local and national foundations, community­-based organizations and governmental agencies are eager to support the development of new, quality charter schools in St. Louis. Planning grants (up to $20,000) are available from the Walton Family Foundation for groups looking to write a charter application. Building Excellent Schools are seeking applicants interested in a fellowship focused on starting a charter school. Start­up monies are available from the U.S. Department of Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Walton Family Foundation, for approved applications that meet specific criteria. Non­profit organizations, as well as state and local government agencies have existing services that can be located within a charter school or provide to students enrolled in a charter school.

What is an “education management company?”

An educational management company (EMO) provides services to charter schools that can include back­office support (accounting, data collection, legal, etc.) and educational services (curriculum, professional development, assessments, etc.) These services are performed based on a contract between the school’s board of directors and the EMO. EMOs may be for­profit or non­profit entities. In St. Louis, the most common EMOs are Edison and Imagine Schools.

Aren’t for­profit EMOs unfairly taking tax dollars away from children?

Both school districts and charter schools contract with for­profit business to provide services such as janitorial, transportation, text books and office supplies. Charters are held accountable for effective and efficient use of school funds.

Are charter schools required to meet state standards and NCLB standards?

Yes, charters must demonstrate that they are meeting state standards as defined by the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP). Sponsors work with schools that do not meet the standards for improvement. A charter school that does not perform can have its charter revoked.

Are they required to use specific assessments such as the MAP and ACT?

All charter schools are required to identify an assessment plan that measures student progress toward MSIP defined standards. All are using the MAP. Many are using multiple (nationally normed) assessments to assist in measuring student growth.

How many charter schools operate in St. Louis?

For the 2007­-08 school year there are 10 charters operating 15 schools, serving approximately 6,000 students.

Who attends charter schools in St. Louis?

For the 2006­-07 school year, 5,405 students attended two high schools, one middle school and seven elementary charter schools. Charter schools students were 87% African­-American and 81.7% eligible for free­ or­ reduced lunch.

Don’t charter schools take money away from the St. Louis Public Schools?

School districts and charter schools are provided resources based on their enrollment and attendance. The fact is that tens of thousands of parents have already left the St. Louis Public Schools for private schools, parochial schools, and suburban schools. Charter school provides a public school option for families who wish to stay in the City.
Charters can have a positive financial impact on our community and on the district by stabilizing and in some cases revitalizing neighborhoods, increasing property values, and most importantly, producing graduates who are prepared for career, college and citizenship.

How does the federal court desegregation case affect charter schools?

Students that are residents of districts in St. Louis County that are eligible to participate in the City­County voluntary transfer program are eligible to attend charter schools, if specified in the school’s charter.

What is the academic performance of charter schools in St. Louis?

Charter schools are performing as well as regular district schools. In fact, many charters are out performing several SLPS magnet schools. Parents who are not satisfied with a charter school’s performance may leave at their discretion.

If my application is not supported by the Mayor, is there an appeals process?

Applicants may seek sponsorship at any time without the support of the Office of the Mayor. Applicants may revise their application and resubmit it to the Mayor’s Charter School Advisory Board for review.