Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our Most Frequented Questions
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- A public charter management organization (CMO)
- A committee to form a public charter school, including those intending to contract with an educational management organization
Three (3) entities have the authority to sponsor (or authorize) new public charter schools:
- The State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA), a statewide authorizer
- The county local education agency
- Colleges and universities within the Nevada System of Higher Education
Currently in Nevada, the SPCSA is the only authorizer actively accepting applications for new public charter schools. Here are some quick things to note about the SPCSA:
- SPCSA charters may NOT convert district schools.
- SPCSA charters do NOT have access to district facilities.
- SPCSA charters are all open enrollment (non-selective– open to all students with no academic or behavioral enrollment criteria).
- SPCSA is the Local Education Agency (LEA) for the public charters it authorizes.
- Approximately 433,410 students in Nevada attended a public district or public charter school in 2020-21.
- Approximately 370,360 students in Clark County attended a public district or public charter school in 2020-21.
What exactly is a charter school, and how do they benefit students, families, and our community? Use this handy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to learn more. Still have questions? Reach out to the team!
Are charter schools public schools?
Yes, charter schools are public schools – meaning they are free and open to all within their grade levels.
Charter schools believe that every student should have the chance to go to a school that puts their needs first, regardless of their zip code, income or ability level.
Do charter schools cost money to attend?
No. As public schools, there is no cost to attend charter schools. They are tuition-free.
How are charter schools different from district schools?
While both charter and district schools are public schools, charter schools are independently run through a separate Board than the local school district. Charter schools will often have a specific area of interest or focus, such as STEM/STEAM, performing arts, career and technical education, etc. They are approved to open and operate by a local or state authorizing body, and are under the Nevada Department of Education’s purview.
Charters are bound by a contract – or “charter” – that specifies the school’s mission, academic goals, operational framework, and financial plan. These charters are approved by the school’s authorizer. The school must adhere to those goals and plans, and are held to strict accountability standards. Charter schools are built to put the needs of students first, and face tough accountability to make sure they meet that standard.
Public charter schools are given greater flexibility, so they can serve students’ individual needs and take innovative approaches to hiring and retaining great teachers, but with that flexibility comes greater oversight than traditional public schools.
How would I get my student enrolled in a charter school?
Each charter school has its own application timeline. Check out School Scout Nevada or the school’s website to get started. You can call the school, book a tour, talk to their leadership team, and learn more about how they support students and families. Once you’ve decided to apply to a school, complete the necessary paperwork (you can usually complete online, and the school’s team is available if you have any difficulties), and the school will let you know by a certain date if your child was accepted to attend. These dates vary from school to school, but the school will generally have the timeline for enrollment on their website and/or enrollment materials.
How are charter schools funded?
Since they are public schools, charter schools are publicly funded.
Do charter schools serve all students?
Charter schools are public schools, free, and open to all. They are built to give every child an opportunity for a great education at the school where they can learn best, no matter where they are from.
Charter schools believe that every student should have the chance to go to a school that puts their needs first, regardless of their zip code, income or ability level.
The competition for funding will launch April 3, 2023 and close at 11:59 p.m. May 8, 2023. Please read the Request for Applications document containing eligibility requirements, and outlining the application process in detail. Schools can apply for the Great Schools for Nevada CSP Subgrant if they have an authorizer-approved charter or plan to have an authorizer-approved charter by the time award funds are dispersed in November 2023. Below outlines the stages of our application process:
- Eligibility and Letter of Intent Stage – Schools should submit an eligibility form via our online application portal, and the evaluative letter of intent by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2023. Schools that do not submit a letter of intent and eligibility form will not be eligible to apply for CSP funds in this cycle. Schools will be notified if they are invited to apply on May 24, 2023.
- Application Stage – Schools that have been invited to submit an application, or declined to enter the application stage, will be notified on the morning of May 24, 2023. The application will be available for schools to edit and upload documents through June 22, 2023. All elements of the application should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 23, 2023, Pacific Standard Time.
- Review Stage – Applications will be in review from June 30, 2023 through August 1, 2023.
- Applicant Capacity Interviews – Applicant Capacity Interviews are 90 minutes and are an opportunity for reviewers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the school’s founding team and the school in detail before final decisions are announced. This process supplements the initial application review and influences reviewers’ final scores. Applicant Capacity Interviews will be held from August 8 to August 11, 2023.
- Award Notification – Schools will be notified if they have received the award on August 22, 2023.
- First Awardee Reimbursement – Schools who receive the CSP award will submit their first reimbursement request by October 10, 2023 and reimbursement funds will be dispersed by November 15, 2023.
Yes. The Great Schools for Nevada CSP Subgrant has a rigorous Request for Application (RFA). The RFA seeks to identify qualified, high-quality eligible applicants that have the capacity to meet the objective of the CSP grant to serve more students, especially those who are educationally disadvantaged. In order to demonstrate the ability to create a high-quality charter school, the eligible applicant will submit a complete application, follow and meet the criteria of the Great Schools Nevada CSP Rubric that is included in the RFA, and submit any supplemental information outlined in the application process in the timeline provided below.
Eligible applicants must have an approved Charter application from a Nevada authorizer in order to receive Federal CSP dollars under this program. This will be a condition of any subgrantee award if not already met. Use the following checklist below to determine if your school is eligible.
- Do you have an approved Charter application from a Nevada authorizer?
- Do you have an effective and clear school model to meet the needs of students in greatest need?
- Do you agree to be both incorporated in the State of Nevada as a non-profit entity and have received tax-exempt status (501c3) from the IRS (or proof of 1023 submission for IRS status) before funding is received?
- Do you have a demonstrated need for start-up funding for either an 18-month planning period (Year 0) and/or the first two years of operation (Year 1 and Year 2) for up to 24 months? Please note that the total number of months cannot exceed 42.
- Do you have an enrollment policy that meets the state and federal statutes?
- Do you meet the federal definition of a public charter school in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to be eligible for grant funds under the CSP?
- If you represent a replication or expansion school, can you provide up to three years of academic data showing scores higher than the state averages for ELA and Math for growth and proficiency, as defined by ESSA and show approval to open an additional campus granted by an authorizer?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are eligible to apply for the CSP Grant. Please note that eligibility is reviewed and ultimately decided by the CSP management team.
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