What is a
Charter
School?
Alberta Charter Schools: Facts
- Are public schools
- Do not charge tuition
- Have existed for over a decade
- Are mandated to offer choice and innovation within public education
- Are publicly funded
- Operate under provincial legislation, each with its own Board of Directors
- Curently offer educational choice in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray & Edmonton
- Grew enrolment by 113 percent between 2001 and 2006
- Enrolled 6,120 student in 2005-2006 (4916 in Calgary)
- Frequently have significant waiting lists of students who cannot be accomodated within each school's enrolment cap
- May accept student with special needs
- Receive the same per student grants as other public schools
- Do not receive capital funding (unlike other public schools) and therefore most often lease space from large public boards
- Operate under time-specific agreements with Alberta Education
- Are held to a high level of accountability through regular external evaluations
- Adhere to the Alberta curriculum
- Are required to present a unique focus on teaching and/or curriculum
- Employ certificate teachers, some of whom are members of the ATA
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Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools |
www.taapcs.ca
Why a Charter School?
The purpose of charter schools is to provide public school choice for families and develop innovative approaches to education. A requirement of the CGS charter is to share the school's learning and successes with the community in order that other schools are able to access these best practices.