New York charter schools: what you need to know

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In New York, there are about 180 municipal charter schools. Providing high-quality education and being a model for other municipal schools, charter schools have the ability to apply the most advanced techniques, develop innovative curricula and introduce new organizational systems, writes New York Charter Schools Handbook.

Charter schools:

• these are municipal educational institutions whose independent activities are governed by a contract (“charter”) valid for up to 5 years;
• do not charge tuition fees;
• must comply with or exceed established academic performance standards;
• submit to non-profit councils of volunteer trustees who donate to deal with issues such as developing school rules and procedures, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, controlling the school budget, and evaluating the activities of the school principal;
• regularly inspected by their founders (state-authorized bodies with the right to establish charter schools or renew their contracts);
• can expect to extend the contract for up to 5 years, subject to the achievement or exceeding of the specified academic and administrative objectives. This process is repeated at intervals depending on the duration of the last contract.

Charter schools and other municipal schools: similarities and differences

Charter schools are very similar to public schools in New York. Moreover, there are differences between these two types of schools.

Infographics: Directory of New York Charter Schools

Charter School Services

Charter schools are required to provide the necessary services to children with disabilities. opportunities, including schoolchildren with reduced learning, behavioral problems and physical disabilities, as well as children for whom English is not their first language. Parents of students with disabilities should find out in advance exactly what services are offered in a particular charter school.

Qualification of teachers

In a charter school, most teachers must be certified. Charter schools are allowed to hire a small number of teachers (up to 30% of the total number of teaching staff, but no more than 5) who have not yet complied with all certification requirements.

The law also allows teachers certified in one discipline to teach in another subject or grade level if they demonstrate “substantial competence” in the proposed area. To do this they must: a) have a bachelor's degree or higher; b) meet the teacher requirements for this section, and c) demonstrate high proficiency in the subject.

Problem solving at the school level

With all questions and comments parents should contact the principal or another school principal. In the event of an unsatisfactory decision, they may also contact the school board of trustees. The procedure for submitting and reviewing questions and comments is usually set out in the school guide for parents and students.

Board of Trustees should inform parents in advance of their dates. monthly meetings. When conducting meetings, councils are required to comply with the provisions of the New York Law on Open Meetings in relation to public speaking.

Although the board of trustees is responsible for the work of the school as a whole, the responsibility for deciding issues related to the curriculum, the day-to-day learning process and hiring staff rests with the principal or head of the school. Parents who are not satisfied with the problem resolution proposed by the board of trustees have the right to contact the school’s founders, and then the state Department of Education.

Photo: depositphotos

Applying to charter schools

Reception requirements

Admission requirements to the municipal charter school are no different from the requirements for admission to other public schools in New York. The child must:

1. Live in New York;
2. Reach the 5 age by December 31 of the year he enrolled in kindergarten, or reach the age specified by the requirements of a particular school;
3. Be younger than 21 of the year and not have a high school diploma.

Each charter school has its own procedure for receiving and conducting the lottery. You have the right to apply to any number of charter schools. For detailed information about the admission process and its timeline, contact the schools directly.

Statements

As a rule, accepting applications for the upcoming school year continues until April 1. In most schools, the lottery is held in April. For application forms, contact the charter schools that interest you directly. You can do this by phone or in person visiting the school. Many schools also post applications on their websites.

When filling out an application, it is not necessary to indicate information about the special needs of the child (special education, programs for those who master the English language), but some schools that offer advantages in enrolling certain categories of students suggest parents to indicate this information at their discretion. After enrolling the child, the staff at the charter school can contact their parents with questions to determine the child’s needs.

Lottery

If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places in the recruiting class, charter schools are required to hold a lottery or use another type of random selection. The drawing continues until all the places are filled. Then begins the compilation of a waiting list, where the names of non-enrolled children are entered in a sample order. Parents are notified either of enrollment or of the child’s number on the waiting list. To guarantee impartiality, charter schools invite official observers to the lottery or hire an independent auditing company to conduct the lottery.

Photo: depositphotos

Прием

If the child is currently attending another school, the parents must notify the administration of his upcoming transfer to a charter school. The charter school sends the parents the necessary forms to complete the registration. The documents required for registration include the birth certificate or passport of the child, a certificate of vaccinations and proof of residence.

Open days

Open days, as a rule, are held before the start of the acceptance process and the lottery. These activities, which are usually posted on school websites, give parents the opportunity to visit the school, talk with teachers and staff, and get an idea of ​​the curriculum and available programs. For information about the open door schedule and visiting rules, contact the schools directly.

Online school search

To find a charter school, you must enter its name in the search box (School Search) on the main page of the New York City Department of Education website. Here you can get information about travel by public and private transport, as well as information about the school: address, classes, school website, statistics.

A list of charter schools in New York with brief information about them can be found. here.

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