INSIDE INFORMATION
BY CHLOE YOUNG
2023 EDUCATION EDITION
Understanding charter schools Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that were created by the Texas Legislature in 1995 to foster innovation and allow for more choices in the state’s public school system. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are fully funded by the state and receive no local revenue, such as property taxes.
The process for admission to charter schools depends on whether there is space available at the school.
Admissions
Teacher certification process
Upcoming schools
While independent school districts require all teachers to have a bachelor’s degree and state certi cation, the requirements for open-enrollment charter schools depend on the school. TEST
Four new charter schools are opening in the Cedar Park and Leander areas over the next few years.
Future students or parents must ll out an application with basic identifying information.
Basis Cedar Park & Basis Cedar Park Primary Address: 165 N. Lakeline Blvd., Cedar Park Opening: August Grades served: K-5 (Basis Cedar Park Primary), opening with grades 6-9 and will add one grade each year until grade 12 (Basis Cedar Park) Valor Leander Address: 906 Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander Opening: August Grades served: K-8 initially, growing to K-12 in the next few years
All charter school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree.
Preference in the lottery may be given to students with a sibling already admitted to or attending the school or students whose parent works on sta . If a school has more applicants than positions available, all open- enrollment charter schools are required to utilize a random lottery or admit students based on application submission order. Charter schools are open to all students, but barriers to entry can include living outside school boundaries, or having a criminal or disciplinary history.
Charter school teachers only have to be state certi ed if they teach special or bilingual education.
Comparing schools
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The governing body of a charter school determines the licensing requirements for teachers.
Charter schools serve about 7% of all public school students in Texas. Charter schools and independent school districts have similarities and di erences in their required rules and regulations. Key Number of students served Number of campuses ISDs Charter schools 5.43M students Nearly 300,000 students 8,973 schools 896 schools
CRYSTAL FALLS PKWY.
Approximately two-thirds of charter school teachers are certi ed.
In the Greater Austin area, about 10% of all students attend charter schools.
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Enrollment by metro
Harmony Science Academy Leander Address: 3250 Hero Way, Leander
Austin
Dallas-Fort Worth
While charter schools receive more funding from the state overall than independent school districts, charter schools receive less public funding in total since they are not funded locally.
Funding
36,586 students 10% of all students
115,319 students 8.1% of all students
The similarities
The differences
Opening: 2024-25 school year Grades served: pre-k-grade 7
183A TOLL
• Flexibility in designing and running charter schools • Specialized programs and models • Teacher certi cation requirements
• State curriculum standards and exams • Graduation requirements • Special education and bilingual
Public charter schools
Independent school districts $11,958* per student Local funding: $7,611 per student State funding: $4,347 per student
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BASIS Leander Address: TBD
$10,992 per student Local funding: none State funding: $10,992 per student
Houston
San Antonio
education requirements • Financial and academic accountability
85,536 students 6.3% of all students
48,826 students 10.8% of all students
Opening: 2025-26 school year, subject to change Grades served: will likely start with K-8 and then expand by one grade each year until K-12
SOURCES: BASIS TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOLS, HARMONY SCIENCE ACADEMY, VALOR EDUCATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
*TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GET MULTIPLE ALLOTMENTS BEYOND THE BASIC PER PUPIL FUNDING. THESE NUMBERS ARE CALCULATED BASED ON AVERAGE OVERALL FUNDING FROM STATE AND LOCAL SOURCES.
Che s to Savings! ®
HYMEADOW 12611 Hymeadow (512) 506-8401
NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316
CEDAR PARK 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd (512) 986-7681
ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893
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