DeKalb County School District

Search

Top Topics

K12 Alerts
K12 Alerts is a new communications service to help keep parents and the community informed about news impacting DeKalb Schools. Register to receive timely email, text message and voicemail opens in same window icon alerts today »
Social Media Channels
DeKalb Schools is now on Twitter and YouTube! Follow us today for the latest news, events and opens in same window icon more »
Superintendent Releases Evaluation Audits
The Superintendent and administration has thoroughly reviewed each audit report for consideration of all and/or parts of any recommendations made by the opens in same window icon consultants »
Theory of Action for Change
The essence of the "Theory of Action for Change" is to transform the school district from a system consisting of singular pockets of high-performance areas into a district-wide School System of Excellence. opens in same window icon view key components »

Charter Schools

email link icon Nicole Knighten [ nicole_n_knighten@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us ], Director
678.676.0713

1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA  30083

alert l1 icon

This web page provides general information about charter schools and creating a charter school. Please see the "opens in same window icon School Choice [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/school-choice ]" web page for charter school applications and forms.

The Georgia charter schools law provides the means to organize a charter public school subject to an academic or vocational performance-based contract approved by both the state and local boards of education. A group of people (educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, or others) write the charter plan (i.e. charter contract) describing the school's guiding principles, governance structure, and applicable accountability measures. Specific goals and operating procedures for the charter school are detailed in an agreement (or "charter") between the school system, state department of education, and charter organizers. The charter contract often exempts the school from agreed upon state and local rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and from certain provisions of Title 20 of Georgia law.

Charter Petition Process Resources

  • opens in new window icon Petition Budget Template Directions [ http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Charter-Schools/Pages/Charter-Petition-Application.aspx ] (Georgia Department of Education)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school that operates according to the terms of a charter (i.e. operating contract) that has been approved by the local board of education and the state board of education and is held accountable for meeting the performance-based objectives specified in the charter. Charter schools are public schools and can not charge tuition or fees.
These schools are organized under the terms of a negotiated charter agreement adhering to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and policies.
How does a charter differ from traditional public schools?
The DeKalb County School District encourages the creation of new quality charters which provide parents and students with unique, creative, and innovative approaches to education. Those that submit petitions to start a charter school must demonstrate that their proposal does not replicate a program already available in the school system. They must also demonstrate they have the expertise and financial backing to successfully open and run the charter school.
Parent participation is also an important element in charters. Many of the DeKalb County School District charters require parents to sign participation contracts to serve a certain amount of volunteer hours per school year.
Can charters make their own curriculum and rules?
Charters must operate under the guidelines of their established charter contract. One difference between charters and traditional public schools is that charters may waive some of the rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and provisions for public schools under Title 20 of Georgia law with state and local board approval.
For example, schools may waive certain provisions, such as seat time, school calendar, and length of time of instruction for particular academic subjects. Charter schools may not waive rules regarding accountability. Charter schools may not enroll students based on race, gender, or academic ability. Start-up charters also have the option to operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools. They can create their own budgets and hire staff directly. Many charters enhance their budgets through fundraising and donations.
What is the difference between a charter school and a magnet or theme school?
The charter school concept is an organizational mode. The focus is on how the school is organized, governed, and managed. Instructional strategies will vary from one charter school to the next. The magnet or theme school is an instructional model. The focus is on the instructional strategy implemented at the school—for example, a focus on technology or performing arts. Some magnet schools have admission criteria.
What is the difference between a conversion and a start-up charter school?
Conversion Charter

This is an existing public school that has converted from a traditional school to a charter school. These schools are housed in traditional public school facilities. DeKalb County Schools has the following conversion charter schools:

Enrollment

Any student who resides in the attendance zone specified in the charter and who submits a timely application as specified in the charter. If there is available space after these students have been enrolled, additional students will be enrolled based on a random selection process. However, enrollment preferences may be given based on the following (in order of priority specified in the charter):

  • a sibling of a student enrolled in the charter school or in any school in the high school cluster
  • students whose parent/guardian is a member of the governing board, a full time teacher, professional, or other employee at the charter school
  • students who were enrolled in the local school prior to its becoming a charter school
  • students who reside in the charter attendance zone specified in the charter
Start-up Charter

This is a newly formed school created by private individuals, private organizations, or state and local public entities. These schools are often in non-traditional public school settings. DeKalb County Schoolshas the following start-up charter schools:

alert l1 icon

The following buildings have been declared unused by the DeKalb Board of Education and are available for use by start-up charter schools:

  1. Hooper Alexander
    3414 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
  2. Heritage Center
    2225 Heritage Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

Enrollment†

Priority enrollment is given to the students who reside in the charter attendance zone specified in their charter and who submit a timely application unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity (in terms of a program, class, grade level, or building). If the number of applications exceeds capacity, students have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process. Preference may be given to (in order of priority specified in the charter) to:

  • siblings of enrolled students
  • a sibling of a student enrolled in another local school designated in the charter
  • a student, whose parent/guardian is a member of the governing board, is a full time teacher, professional or other employee of the charter school
  • students matriculating from a local school designated in the charter
How are charter schools funded?
Charter schools are public schools. By Georgia law, a charter school is included in the allotment of funds to the local school system in which the charter school is located. The charter school is to be treated no less favorably than any other public school in the district with respect to funding for instructional and administrative programs.
I live outside DeKalb County. Can I still enroll my student in a charter school in the county?
All students must be legal residents of DeKalb County.
How do I apply to become a charter school in the DeKalb County School District?

Information on procedures and guidelines for writing and submitting a petition can be found at the following web pages:

† per the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) section 20-2-2066