Charter Schools

What is a Public Charter School?

Charter schools are public schools that offer innovative K-12 programming in exchanage for flexibility with regard to state laws regulating schools. A charter school is created through a contract between an independent charter governance board and an authorizer. Charter schools are held accountable by their authorizer for the performance goals and other programmatic, operational, and financial provisions in the charter contract. The charter school’s governing board is autonomous and controls staffing, programming, budgeting, and all other aspects of the charter school’s operation.

 Responsibilities of a Charter School Authorizing Office

According to the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, authorizers are the entities that decide who can start a new charter school, set academic and operational expectations, and oversee school performance. They also decide whether a charter should remain open or should be closed at the end of its contract.

UW-Parkside's Charter School, 21st Century Preparatory School

The 21st Century Preparatory School, a 4K-8 independent public charter school, opened in fall 2002 through authorization from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. The charter is held by Racine Charter One, Inc., a Wisconsin 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation whose nine-member board of directors, including an ex-officio representative of the UW-Parkside Chancellor, oversees school operation. The school is administered by a three-member leadership team led by the school’s Executive Director.

The mission of 21st Century Preparatory School is "to prepare diverse children for access to the full array of life choices, including college and careers that develop their leadership competency.  The school takes Individual differences seriously and crafts practices that serve each child equally well. We mold our future leaders through selfless caring for their success."

21st Century Preparatory School