Charter Schools Are Proud to Be Public. And Fair is Fair.
Washington’s public charter schools are proud to be part of our state’s public education system. We’re free and open to all, providing public school options designed to meet the unique needs of students and communities.
But while public schools may look different, every public school student deserves fair funding and access to the resources they need to succeed.
Different public schools. Same public school students who deserve fair funding. Fair is fair.
Hear from Washington Parents
Hear from the Field
Proud to Be Public Mini-cast
Mini-Cast Description
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Why public charter schools are free and open to all students
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How charter contracts pair rigorous accountability with the flexibility to tailor learning to students’ needs
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More than 10 years of public charter schools in Washington
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Why every family, no matter their zip code, deserves strong public school options
Rebecca Thomas is a first-generation college graduate and has spent the last 18 years in public education as a teacher, a school leader, and a leader of state-based advocacy efforts across the country. She leads WA Charters’ work to support member schools and to make sure public charter school students are considered alongside their traditional public school peers.
Karen Lobos is a first-generation college graduate, the daughter of Latino immigrants, and an alumna of the Rainier Scholars program. She leads Rainier Prep, a public charter school in the community where she grew up, and she knows firsthand how a supportive yet challenging school can change the lives of students facing barriers to higher education.
All Public Schools Deserve Fair Funding.
Charter schools are part of Washington’s public education system, alongside district schools, alternative schools, and skill centers. Together, we provide families with a variety of high-quality public school options.
Yet charter schools are excluded from certain state funding programs available to other public schools, leaving their students without the same access to resources.
As public schools, we shouldn’t have fewer resources than other public schools.
That’s why we’re calling for fair funding and the restoration of funding previously provided to charter schools as public schools.
16 Unique Public Schools Serving Diverse Communities
From Seattle to Spokane to Vancouver, charter schools give families another public education option. Families choose these special public schools because they are the right fit for their students. They shouldn’t receive fewer resources because of it.
Treat all public schools like public schools. Stand with Washington’s public school students and stay informed about efforts to secure fair funding for all of our public school students.