What is a Charter School?
A charter school is an independent public school of choice with its own governing board to make decisions and set policy. This gives charters greater freedom to design and develop an innovative curriculum and utilize different teaching styles and methods as long as they meet state-mandated content and performance standards. Charter schools receive their operating funds based on the number of students enrolled, just like other public schools, but are free to set and manage their own budget, create their own unique school culture, hire and fire their own staff, design their instructional program, develop and organize their leadership structure, and set their own graduation requirements.
Unlike other public schools, charter schools must raise their own capital funds to pay for new facilities, equipment, and additional programs. By late 2004, there were more than 1,000,000 students currently enrolled in 3,500 charter schools nationwide. The movement is growing. In New Mexico, more than 40 charter schools have been founded since the Charter Schools Act (House Bill 888) authorized them in 1993. The charter establishing each school is a contract describing the school's mission, goals, program, curriculum, methods of assessment, and means to measure success, which must be approved by the local school board. Monte del Sol is accredited by the New Mexico Public Education Department.