Public Charter Schools FAQ

Washington’s public charter schools are tuition-free, open to all, and part of the same public education system as traditional public schools. In Washington, every public charter school is operated by a non-profit, non-sectarian organization. There are no for-profit charter schools in our state. Public charter schools are subject to the same health, safety, civil rights, teacher certification, and statewide learning standards as every other public school in Washington.

What makes them distinct is the exchange at the heart of the charter model: in return for meeting rigorous academic, fiscal, and operational requirements outlined in a performance contract — their charter — public charter schools have the flexibility to design their programs around the specific needs of their students and communities. A school that isn’t fulfilling the terms of its charter can be closed.

This combination of flexibility and accountability gives Washington families another strong public option—a school that can offer specialized approaches, smaller learning environments, and curriculum tailored to the students it serves.

Public charter school students in Washington are assessed using the same state learning standards as students at traditional public schools — and the results show they are not just keeping pace; they are leading.

For six years in a row, Black, Latinx, English Language Learner, Special Education, and students from low-income households in charter public schools have outperformed statewide peers across ELA, Math, and Science.

For more information on student outcomes at public charter schools, review the data from the SBAC assessments. The results reflect meaningful progress toward improving the educational landscape across Washington state, particularly for students who have been historically underserved.

Washington’s charter sector remains small: the first charter school opened in 2014, and today 15 public charter schools serve roughly 5,000 students, close to 0.5% of the state’s K-12 population.

There may be! Here is a list of public charter schools operating in communities statewide. While there are ongoing efforts to change state law so that additional public charter schools could be authorized to operate, as of 2026, there are 15 operating in Washington. Additional information is available from the Washington State Charter School Commission, the public agency serving as the authorizer of charter public schools in our state.

Teachers at Washington’s public charter schools meet the same state certification requirements as teachers at traditional public schools. What sets charter schools apart is teacher diversity — public charter schools employ BIPOC teachers at more than double the rate of traditional public schools statewide, ensuring students are more likely to see educators who reflect their communities and lived experiences.

Yes. Washington’s public charter schools are open to all students, including those with disabilities. Like all public schools in Washington, they are required to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, ensuring students with disabilities have equitable access to a high-quality education. Current data shows public charter schools serve students with disabilities at 15% — on par with the statewide average.

Washington’s public charter schools operate under a rigorous multi-agency accountability framework. Each school is governed by its own local non-profit board of directors, which holds regular public meetings — just like traditional public school boards. At the state level, schools are overseen by the Washington State Charter School Commission or an approved district authorizer, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Auditor’s Office.

At the heart of this accountability system is each school’s charter — a performance contract outlining academic, financial, and operational expectations. Schools must meet the terms of their charter to remain open. Those that don’t can be closed — the highest form of accountability in public education.

This system requires more of public charter schools than is required of traditional public schools. In exchange, charter schools have the flexibility to design programs that meet the specific needs of their students and communities.