Getting Started with Independent Charters
Independent Charters 101 is part two of the series How to LAUSD: The Complete Guide to LAUSD School Selection. This post offers insight into what Independent Charters are, how to apply to them, and what makes them unique.
Make sure to use the How to LAUSD: Glossary for any unfamiliar terminology.
As a first step, it’s helpful to understand what makes a program or school an Independent Charter.
Independent Charters are Goal-oriented
Independent Charter Schools are schools that were created with a specific goal in mind. They were established under “The Charter Schools Act of 1992” to improve student outcomes (especially low-achiever ones), increase learning opportunities for educators, encourage innovative teaching methods, diversify school offerings, and increase excellence through competition and accountability.
Not only are these programs goal oriented but they are unique as well.
Independent Charters are Unique
Independent Charters are the outliers in the Los Angeles school application process. Unlike all other programs covered in the How to LAUSD series, Independent Charters operate with almost full independence from LA Unified and are not applied to through the eChoices platform. Instead, an application is made on each program’s respective website.
Independent Charters are mentioned in this series because these programs reside within LAUSD boundaries (and often on the same campuses), are free, and are open to all California residents.
Today there are a few hundred Independent Charters operating in LA Unified, with more added each year.
Independent Charters 101
Don’t have time to read this entire post? Here are the four things you should know about Independent Charters:
Need more details about the benefits and downsides of Independent Charters? Keep reading.
Independent Charters: Program Benefits
These are the main reasons parents and caregivers should include Independent Charter programs in their school search:
l. More diversity
Students from across California can apply to Independent Charters and are not limited by LA Unified’s boundaries. As a result, independent charters can attract a more diverse population than many local schools.
ll. No limit on the number or order of applications
Applicants can apply to a limitless number of Independent Charters as applications are independent of one another with no central system that monitors them. As a result, applicants can accept and reject offers on a rolling basis without risk.
lll. Programs are more independent
Independent Charters have the freedom to design their curriculum, choose their teaching models, and hold more power over budget allocation, school operations, and staffing decisions.
IV. Programs can offer specialization
As part of their Charter/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 unique interests.
Independent Charters: Program Drawbacks
There are however some downsides associated with Independent Charters that are worth mentioning:
l. Competition can be high
Popular programs are hard to get into due to the large pool of applicants from across California and the unique curriculum that Independent Charters can offer.
ll. Programs may be too independent
While program freedom was noted as a benefit of Independent Charters, it can also be a drawback. While some charters enjoy and thrive on the freedom they have to design curriculum, hire and fire teachers, and control school operations, others do not.
Make sure to conduct more in-depth research on Independent Charters to determine the quality of teachers, administration, and programming.
llI. Schools may need to co-locate or relocate
Many Independent Charters share space and resources with other schools/programs. Co-location may limit access to important amenities, reduces space allocation, shorten lunchtimes, or lead to tension between the programs sharing these spaces.
In addition, all independent Charters are periodically reviewed by the District and their Charter needs to be renewed every five years. Attending an Independent Charter runs the risk of a Charter not being renewed or needing to relocate to a new school site.
V. No transportation is provided
No transportation is provided unless it’s required by a student’s IEP or Under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Program Eligibility
Independent Charters are open to all California residents through a lottery system. However, Charters can also set their own enrollment priority and additional admittance criteria as part of their Charter.
Program Application Process
Here are the steps for applying to an Independent Charter Program:
Additional Information
If you decide to apply to an Independent Charter use the Charter School Locator to start your school search.
Still have questions? Visit LAUSD Unified: Charter School Division webpage or set up a 15-minute consultation at maketimeformomblog@gmail.com.
After demystifying Independent Charters, it’s time to look at another type of Charter – the Affiliate Charter. Visit How to LAUSD, Part 3: Affiliated Charters Explained to get you started.
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.