Our Top Advocacy Priorities

We believe that regardless of the type of public school that a family chooses, that their child deserves equitable resources. We also believe that our system should be responsive to demand for additional, high-quality, student-centered, free, public options, and that our law should allow for establishment of new charter public school options.

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Charter schools are public schools

Like traditional public schools, charter public schools are held to state academic standards, require teacher certification and are overseen by Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. By law, Washington’s charters are operated by non-profit, non-religious organizations.

Innovative, inclusive school models

Charter public schools have more flexibility than traditional public schools to innovate and personalize learning for students. Washington’s charter schools offer inclusive special education practices, exciting STEM opportunities, and robust mentoring programs.

Higher levels of accountability

In exchange for flexibility, charter public schools are held to higher levels of accountability. They must show that students are achieving academic success in order to continue operating, and charter public school boards are subject to state and non-profit financial audits.

A focus on educational equity

Washington’s charter school law is unique for its focus on serving systemically underserved students and communities. Washington’s charter public schools serve a majority of students of color and a majority of students from low-income households.

Free. Public.
Innovative. Accountable.

Every child deserves an excellent education that fits their unique needs, interests, and learning style. Washington’s charter schools offer families additional free, high-quality public school options, because one size doesn’t fit all students.

Washington’s charter public schools offer innovative, personalized learning models, and they are delivering promising academic results, high levels of parent satisfaction, and 99% high school graduation rates.

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We are the Washington State Charter Schools Association

We are an ADVOCACY organization. We know that one size does not fit all learners, so we partner with schools, parents, and communities to promote policies that support all public school students.

We help GROW the number of high-quality public school options in our state by helping visionary leaders design, launch, and lead innovative and gap-closing schools.

We help SUSTAIN a high-quality charter public school sector by providing key technical assistance and resources to operating schools, including policy and advocacy leadership, governance support, professional learning communities, and more.

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Explore schools

There are a growing number of high-quality charter public school options in communities across Washington.

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June 17, 2020

We must lift the knee that has been on the neck of Black Americans for 400 years

BY DR. THELMA JACKSON, JUNE 14, 2020 05:45 AM Thelma Jackson. Handout photo for Sunday’s Black History Month story. As a 74-year-old Black woman living in this area for 50..

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September 02, 2021

Meet Whatcom Intergenerational High School: Bellingham's New Public Charter School

“With the opening of Whatcom Intergenerational High School, and the return to in-person learning, our community now has a new option that broadens opportunities to choose the kind of public education...

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September 01, 2021

Students at Charter Public Schools Get a Warm Welcome Back in Buildings

State's Free, Public Options Continue to Adapt and Respond to Pandemic Challenges  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2021Contact: Maggie Meyers at maggie@wacharters.org or 206-702-5790 SEATTLE, WA — Back-to-school season is in full swing for the state’s...

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Charter schools are changing futures –now.

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Ashley Clark,
Summit Sierra Class of 2019

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