A charter school is a deregulated public school.  It is typically endorsed or "chartered" by public agency and has more freedom and flexibility than a school through magnet status or waivers.  A charter school may not charge tuition and it may not discriminate.  Charter schools are often smaller than regular schools, and they have specific academic targets to achieve as part of their contract with the chartering entity.  Charter schools typically focus on a special curriculum approach, a new school organization approach or some other features that set them apart from regular public school offerings.

     General components of a charter school include flexibility, no tuition, choice, public funding and achievement goals.  

     The charter school law in North Carolina, Chapter 731 House Bill 955, was ratified by the General Assembly on June 21, 1996, and was amended in 1997.  American Renaissance Charter School received the charter in March, 1998.

Photos of the ARCS staff attending the 2001 summer teachers retreat at beautiful Allison Woods in Statesville, NC.

allison-woods.org