Searching for a charter school in Tucson for your child or teen? You've come to the right place! We've put together a comprehensive guide to assist you in finding a school that is the right fit for your family.
A charter school is a public school that receives government funding and is operated under the supervision and direction of the United States Department of Education.
Historically, Tucson has been a "charter school friendly city" so there are around fifty charter schools in the Tucson metro area and in the surrounding suburbs.
As a public school, any parent may choose to send his/her child to a charter school. Admission is not based on merit, interviews, or any other subjective factor. If more students apply for admission than can be accommodated, students are admitted via a lottery system.
No. As public schools, charter schools must be "non-religious in their programs, admissions policies, governance, employment practices and all other operations, and the charter school’s curriculum must be completely secular" (taken from Title V, Part B - United States Department of Education).
No. Charter schools do not have enrollment boundaries and any student may enroll, regardless of where they live. That said, transportation services may not be available.
Yes. Because charter schools are public schools, students attend free and do not pay tuition.
Many of the charter schools in Tucson have stellar academic reputations (beating out traditional public schools in test scores and extracurriculars), while other charter schools have a poor reputation. It is important to take a school tour, to ask for recommendations, and to do your own research before making an enrollment choice for your child.
Here are ten questions you may want to ask prospective schools:
If you are considering enrolling in a charter school at the high school level, be sure to also ask for a copy of the School Profile, which is a one page sheet that includes information about the school's curriculum, community, and scholar accomplishments.
Great question! With dozens of charter schools in Tucson, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. Each school has a unique community, curriculum, and focus.
The best way to find a charter school in Tucson is to ask friends and family members for recommendations. You can also check yelp and google reviews. Finally, don't be shy about scheduling tours at several different schools so that you can make an informed decision.
You may also be interested in the following resource pages:
***Watch this page for new and updated information about charter schools in Tucson.
Leman Academy is a tuition-free public charter school for children in grades K-8 with open-admission policies and no entrance exam. A tuition-based preschool is also offered at select locations. Leman's teachers, administrators, and parents follow the philosophies of child psychologist Dr. Kevin Leman, the Academy’s founder, who believe that the best education is one that focuses on educating both the mind and heart.
