Is a charter school a public school?

Yes. Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, like other charter schools, is a self-managed public school that is approved–or chartered–by a local school district. This school district holds the school’s charter, and oversees its performance.

 

Is a charter school also a cyber school?

Not necessarily. Lincoln Park is not. While there are many cyber charter schools—meaning schools that primarily conduct their instruction online—Pennsylvania also has brick-and-mortar charter schools. Lincoln Park is a brick-and-mortar charter school, which means it holds in-person classes every day on its campus.

 

Do charter schools charge tuition?

No. As public schools, charter schools are tuition-free educational alternatives.

Do charter school students have to take state tests?

Yes. Charter school students take standardized assessments that measure their performance, just like other public schools. However, charter schools often operate outside the normal educational bureaucracy that can lead to wasteful spending and a focus on administration—instead of students and families, where it belongs.

 

How long have charter schools existed in Pennsylvania?

Charter schools have existed in Pennsylvania since 1997, when the Legislature approved Act 22.

 

Why do we need charter schools? Aren’t there too many schools already?

Charter schools are different than regular public schools. They may, like Lincoln Park and its arts-based curriculum, have a particular educational focus. But more broadly, the charter school model is all about providing alternatives to the traditional public education system. Taxpaying Pennsylvania families have demanded these alternatives—and charter schools like LP exist to provide them. Whether that means using student-centered teaching strategies, developing exciting new curriculum, or offering students more hands-on learning opportunities, charter schools are committed to innovation–taking what works from the public education system, and fixing the many things that don’t.

 

That sounds good, but where’s the accountability?

As schools of choice, charter schools must have ultimate accountability. A family who feels that their student’s educational needs are not being met by a charter school can withdraw that student at any time. Therefore, there is a powerful incentive for charter schools to offer the best teaching, curriculum and facilities possible, and to be customer- and service-driven. In addition, charter schools are often created and controlled by parents, teachers, community leaders and colleges or universities. These entities also have a strong interest in ensuring that charter schools meet their public mandate. For example, Lincoln Park always includes at least one (and often more than one) parent member of its Board of Directors.

 

Aren’t charter schools just taking money out of our local communities?

First of all, every student in Pennsylvania is allocated educational funding each year that is supposed to follow them wherever they choose to attend school. That is their right, and their families’ right, as Pennsylvania citizens. But something many people don’t realize is that Lincoln Park only receives about 70 percent of that educational funding. The other 30 percent stays in the students’ home district, which is not educating that student. Remember that the next time you hear someone make this contention. Also remember that LP does not receive a dime of state funding for transportation, which is one of our biggest budget items. Lincoln Park does far more, with much less funding, than your average school. That is something that makes us intensely proud—and it’s one of the best reasons to consider LP as your educational alternative.