WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL?

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools and enrollment is open to all students. They are independently operated schools that run with more flexibility than traditional public schools in exchange for increased accountability. Like all public schools, charter schools are:

• Tuition-free and part of the free public school system
• Held to state and federal academic standards
• Open to all students, including those with disabilities
• Funded primarily through a combination of federal, state, and local tax dollars
• Not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group

CAN ANYONE ATTEND A CHARTER SCHOOL? ARE THERE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?

Yes, anyone can attend a charter school! There are no admissions requirements. Charter schools are tuition-free, public schools open to all students, including English Language Learners and students with special education needs.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE SPACES TO ADMIT ALL STUDENTS THAT APPLY TO A CHARTER SCHOOL?

When parental demand exceeds enrollment capacity at a charter school, students are admitted based upon on a lottery. If students apply after the date of the lottery, they will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, as spaces become available.

ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

Yes. Charter schools are tuition-free, public schools open to all students. Tulsa Public Schools, as the authorizer of charter schools in our portfolio, makes sure the schools are living up to the commitments in its charter and is in compliance with relevant federal, state, and local requirements. Charter schools are primarily funded through public federal, state, and local dollars, along with supplemental funding through charitable donations from foundations and individuals.

DO CHARTER SCHOOLS PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL?

Yes. Transportation is provided according to standard TPS operating procedures.

DO CHARTER SCHOOLS CHARGE TUITION?

No. All charter schools are tuition free.

ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS NON-PROFIT?

Yes. All charter schools in the TPS portfolio are completely non-profit schools.

WHAT MAKES CHARTER SCHOOLS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS?

Each charter school is unique. Some may focus on college prep, some may focus on STEM, and others integrate the arts into each subject. Some charter schools require uniforms and some have longer school days. The possibilities are endless, and charter schools aim to provide a range of options so that parents can choose the school that best fits their child. Click here to learn more about charter schools.

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HOW ARE STUDENTS ADMITTED TO A CRITERIA-BASED MAGNET SCHOOL?

Criteria-based magnet schools have minimum eligibility standards and admit qualified applicants based upon their performance on a list of selection criteria, and in some cases, the quadrant of the city in which they live. Criteria information can be reviewed here.

WHAT ASSESSMENTS ARE USED FOR CRITERIA-BASED MAGNET SCHOOL ADMISSIONS?

We assess students in grades K-10 on two different math and reading tests, OSTP and NWEA-MAP, respectively. We use the most recent NWEA-MAP scores from the fall or early winter of 2019 and the most recent (Spring 2019) Oklahoma state test scores. The committees will use the higher of the scores in reading and math for criteria-based magnet applications. The Assessment Office will provide NWEA-MAP testing at the Enrollment Center on Dec. 16, 2019, for any student who does not have a recent standardized academic measure. Please call the Assessment Office at 918-746-6473 for more information.

MY STUDENT HAS BEEN ENROLLED AND ATTENDING COLLEGIATE HALL (A TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL) SINCE AUGUST 2020. DO I NEED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OTHER THAN MY ID AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY FOR A CRITERIA-BASED SCHOOL?

Collegiate Hall will provide all other documentation from our student information system to the screening committee. Collegiate Hall will also provide teacher recommendation forms. If you have any additional information such as attendance or suspension information, it will need to be submitted with your application. Please email Ben Imlay for further questions at bimlay@collegiatehall.net

MY STUDENT ATTENDED A SCHOOL OTHER THAN A TPS SCHOOL SOME OR ALL OF THE TIME SINCE 2019. WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO PROVIDE BESIDES MY ID AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY?

Please review the Neighborhood, Charter and Magnet Application Information/Instructions for a checklist of items required for the screening committee. The Enrollment Center must receive these documents by 4 p.m. Jan. 31, 2020.

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHARTER SCHOOL AND MAGNET SCHOOL?

Click here to learn more about the difference between a charter and magnet school.