Welcome to the Boston Charter Public Schools website!

What is a Charter Public School?

A Charter public school is a public school open to everyone, free of charge. They cannot - and do not - select their students. If there are more students than available seats, they hold public lotteries to determine who will attend.

Charters were created by the Education Reform Act of 1993 to provide educational choice for parents, expand educational opportunity for their children, and promote change in their districts. They are held to high levels of accountability and must successfully manage school finances and operations, as well as demonstrate student achievement; if they don't, the schools can be closed.

Charters are founded by parents and community leaders who believe there are educational needs that are not being met by district schools. They operate independent of local school districts and local government and are overseen by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).

To learn more about charter public schools in Massachusetts visit the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association's website at: www.masscharterschools.org