Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools which operate under a performance contract or "charter" agreement between a governing board and the local public school board. Charters are independent public schools of choice that hire their own teachers, design their own academic programs, and control their own finances. They have more flexibility to innovate and provide a unique curriculum, while remaining accountable for advancing student achievement. Palm Beach County currently has 49 charter schools.  

For additional information, call the Department of Charter Schools at 561-434-8681.

Pursuant to Section 1002.33, Florida Statute charter schools shall:

• Improve student learning and academic achievement;
• Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on low-performing students;
• Encourage the use of innovative learning outcomes; and
• Require the measurement of learning outcomes.

Charter schools may:

• Create innovative measurement tools;
• Provide rigorous competition within the public school district to stimulate continual improvement in all public schools;
• Expand the capacity of the public school system;
• Mitigate the educational impact created by the development of new residential dwelling units; and
• Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including ownership of the learning program at the school site.

Charter School Parents:
Parents should direct complaints, concerns and requests in the following order:

• To the teacher or other staff member most directly involved with the issue.
• To the principal/director of the charter school.
• To the school/parent liaison.
• To the management representative or the governing board that holds the charter for the school. The board has full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the school.
• Refer to the Charter School Directory for specific Charter School Contact Information. 

If efforts to resolve the issue with the school representatives fail, parents should then contact the Department of Charter School for further information. It is necessary to note that the School District has no jurisdiction over the day-to-day operations of a charter school nor is the Sponsor responsible for the employment of administrators, faculty and/or staff.

New Applicants

It is recommended that new charter school applications be submitted to the School District of Palm Beach County by February 1 of each calendar year in order to be open for the subsequent school year, or to be opened at a time agreed upon by the applicant and the SDPBC.  We recommend you visit the New Applicant page on the FLDOE website.  You must also watch the:
SDPBC New Application Workshop Video

Links from Video can be found in the
PDF Version of SDPBC New Applicant Workshop