Charter schools are K-12 public schools started by parents, teachers, and/or community members who apply to the Minnesota Department of Education for a "charter," which defines the school's specific mission and goals, and how these goals will be measured. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsors, parents and families, the state, and the public for achieving measurable results in student achievement and for implementing fiscally sound management. Sponsors of charter schools vary widely but are often charitable or service organizations, local school districts, or post-secondary institutions.

Charter schools are extremely diverse in their focuses. From project-based high schools to arts-intensive schools to online learning and technology-focused schools, the missions of charter schools in Minnesota vary widely. Since charter schools are public schools, they are open to anyone, free of charge.

Charter schools are site-based managed, meaning that parents, teachers, and local community members choose the people who govern the operation of the school. Charter schools elect their own school boards to oversee all aspects of the school's mission, goals, and operations. The autonomy charter schools enjoy creates an environment where creativity and innovation in teaching and learning flourish.

In addition, charter schools often have a particular approach to education or focus for their programs that differentiates them from other schools. For example, some charter schools focus on experiential learning, or Core Knowledge, or project-based learning, or technology.

Often, charter schools are smaller than neighboring schools offering smaller class sizes and lower student to teacher ratios.

The charter school sector in Minnesota continues to grow. In the fall of 2004, nearly 17,000 students in Minnesota will attend 105 charter schools. As charter schools continue to succeed in serving students and families who seek innovative, unique, and creative environments for teaching and learning, the charter school sector will continue to grow.

The performance of individual schools has been documented in the Profiles of Minnesota Charter Schools. The Minnesota Department of Education has also released a report card for every public school in the state outlining a school's performance in academic achievement, school safety, student participation, parent satisfaction, and overall financial management.

Charter schools are public schools and are, therefore, bound by public law that defines public school admission policies as nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory, and tuition free. Charter schools are open to all students free of charge.

Charter schools are funded by the State of Minnesota on a per-pupil rate. In addition, charter schools receive state support for their facilities expenses because they cannot issue bonds or raise taxes through levies like other school districts. Charter schools are funded their first three years of operation by federal charter school start-up funding. In addition, many charter schools qualify for federal title funding.

Jobs in charter schools are posted on the MACS web site on the "Jobs" page. If you are interested in applying for a job listed on the "Jobs" page, please follow the instructions for contacting the specific school found within the listing.

No. We are a publicly funded school and your child may attend free of charge, just as he or she would at a regular public school.

While STRIDE is a publicly funded school, we operate separately from the local school district. As a result, we have more freedom to implement procedures and policies that will vary from the other public schools in the area. Some of these differences include:

• Year Round School
• All Day Kindergarten
• The only Core Knowledge school in the area
• Smaller, capped class sizes
• Focus on Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens

One of the benefits of a charter school is that we have the ability to cap our enrollment to ensure small class sizes. We have met our goal of enrolling 210 students for our first year and plan expand to 280 in three years.

Minnesota State law requires that we use a random lottery system if applications exceed the number of students we plan to enroll.

Classes will not exceed 20 students for grades K-5. Classes will not exceed 24 students for grade 6.

Each grade consists of two separate classes.

We are planning to offer foreign language introduction course during the intersession. A few parents have volunteered to coordinate this event. We will determine the need for a formal foreign language program for the 07-08 school year.

After consulting with parents, we would prefer to start the child in their age appropriate grade. Teachers will then assess each child on the basics and be able to determine educational needs for each child. The majority of student needs will be met through direct and differentiated instruction. If needed, a student may be moved to a more educationally appropriate grade level, but only after parent consultation.

Thirty hours of volunteer hours adds up quickly. Parents, friends or family members can assist in accumulating hours. There will be opportunities to volunteer out of home, and in extreme cases, the volunteer coordinator will determine the possibility of waiving the 30 hour covenant.

School starts at 8:30 a.m. (Do not drop off students before 7:45 a.m.) School ends at 2:48 p.m.