Getting Started With Affiliated Charters
Affiliated Charters Explained is chapter three in the series How to LAUSD: The Complete Guide to LAUSD School Selection. This series covers the ins and outs of all the free public school programs open to Los Angeles and California residents.
Use this How to LAUSD: Glossary for any unfamiliar vocabulary.
As a first step to understanding Affiliated Charters, it’s worth reviewing the e-Choices website.
The e-Choices Platform
Already know everything you need to know about this platform? Skip ahead to Affiliated Charters Overview.
LAUSD e-Choices (also referred to as Unified Enrollment) is an online portal that provides information about all LAUSD schools and programs. Parents and caregivers can submit and track all school applications (except for Independent Charters) on this one platform.
Here is a quick recap of the types of programs and number of applications that can be submitted there:
And now to the first of the six e-Choices programs:
Affiliated Charters Overview
An Affiliated Charter is a partially autonomous LAUSD public school that was converted to an affiliated charter via a charter petition process. In essence, Affiliated Charters are schools or programs that provide some freedom and specialization rather than the full freedom enjoyed by Independent Charters while still remaining within the framework and supervision of LAUSD.
Currently, there are about 50 Affiliated Charters operating in LA Unified and if you are fortunate to have some in your area, they are worth exploring.
Not sure if there are any Affiliated Charters near you? Use the MakeTimeForMom’s Map of Affiliated Charters to find out.
Affiliated Charters 101
Don’t have much time to dedicate to Affiliate Charters? Here are the four things you need to know about them:
Affiliated Charters: Program Benefits
l. More students are eligible to apply
Students from across California can apply to Affiliated Charters.
ll. No limit on the number or order of applications
Applicants can apply for as many Affiliated Charters as are offered and applications do not affect each other. As a result, applicants can accept and reject offers on a rolling basis without risk.
lll. Programs are somewhat independent
Affiliated Charters have the benefit of LA Unified support with some freedom to design curriculum, choose teaching models, and hold more power over budget allocation, school operations, and staffing decisions.
IV. Programs can offer specialization
As part of their stated Mission/Charter schools can offer specialized programming such as language classes, enhanced art or science programming, leadership focus, and more. This allows parents to select a school that better suits their child’s interests.
Affiliated Charters: Program Drawbacks
l. Competition can be high
Popular programs are hard to get into due to the large pool of applicants from across LA County.
ll. Programs are limited and not distributed evenly
Affiliated Charters are not equally distributed around LA Unified. Some areas will offer multiple options while others will have none. In addition, there are only about 50 active Affiliated Charters in LA Unified. The chances of finding multiple programs of interest in one area are small for most applicants.
lll. No transportation is provided
No transportation is provided unless it’s required by a student’s IEP or Under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Affiliated Charters Eligibility
Students from across California can apply to Affiliated Charters but residential priority is guaranteed and some sibling priority is granted. Affiliated Charters can also create their own enrollment priority and set additional admittance criteria as part of their Charter.
Application Process
Here are the steps for applying to an Affiliated Charter Program:
*Families who reside within the Affiliated Charter School’s attendance boundary do not need to apply through e-Choices but through the schools directly. However, if applying for multiple programs, these families will need to apply using E-Choices.
Additional Information
For more information about Affiliated Charters visit the e-choices Affiliated Charter Home Page.
Want to locate Affiliated Charters in your vicinity? Use MakeTimeForMom’s Map of Affiliated Charters for a map of all LA Unified programs.
Still have questions? Set up a 15-minute consultation at maketimeformomblog@gmail.com.
While Affiliated Charters are relatively straightforward and easy to understand, other programs on e-Choices require a special process and additional paperwork. One such program is the School for Advanced Studies. Read more about it in How to LAUSD, Part 4: SAS Programs Made Easy.
Questions or corrections? e-mail them to maketimeformomblog@gmail.com
All the information shared here was accurate, to the best of my knowledge, at the time of writing this guide. However, information gets updated frequently and guidelines change. The MakeTimeForMom is not responsible for actions taken as a result of information shared in this guide. Please visit LAUSD e-choices for the most up-to-date information available for school selection in the Los Angeles Unified School District.