What is a Charter School?
-
- Charter schools are independent public schools operated by a non-profit organization.
- They hire their own teachers, design their own academic program, and control their own finances.
- They have their own board of directors that make decisions for the school.
- Some charter schools choose to hire a management company to support school functions.
What must a Charter School do?
-
- Ensure student health and safety is top priority.
- Provide a curriculum that meets the Florida Standards and Sunshine State Standards.
- Hire certified teachers.
- Assess students in accordance with Florida's accountability assessments.
- Safeguard taxpayer funding and exercise fiscal responsibility.
Who oversees Charter Schools?
-
- Charter schools are accountable to a Sponsor, which in Florida, is the local school district in which they reside.
- The Charter Schools Office, at the direction of the Superintendent and the Hillsborough County School Board, provides direct oversight of local charter schools.
- A charter school's non-profit Board of Directors is responsible for ultimate oversight and success of their school.
Parents and Community members interested in information about a charter school may contact the school.
Hillsborough County's Charter Schools Office
-
Mission
The mission of the HCPS Charter Office is to ensure charter schools in the HCPS portfolio serve students equitably and effectively through intentional authorization and oversight practices, and meaningful collaboration among all stakeholders.Vision
The vision of the HCPS Charter Office is to foster high quality public education options for the students, families, and communities of Hillsborough County.
