ABOUT
CHARTER SCHOOLS
“Nevada has a nationally recognized charter school system which now serves 10 percent of our student population"
-Gov. Brian Sandoval
Tuition-Free
Charter schools are public schools that are innovative while still being held accountable for improved student achievement. Charter schools are taxpayer-funded state schools and free to all Nevada students. They vary in mission and model, serving a wide range of students.
Autonomy
Simply put, a charter is a contract to improve student outcomes. Nevada laws provide public charter schools more autonomy in exchange for greater accountability. Charter schools in Nevada can be authorized by the State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA), local county school districts, the Achievement School District (ASD), and State of Nevada universities. These entities evaluate a charter school’s academic, fiscal and operational performance, compliance with state laws, and management of public funding.
Academic Choices
Charter schools were authorized by the Nevada Legislature in 1997. Charter schools were established to give parents academic choices for their children and provide a learning environment to improve student achievement.
Inequity for Facilities Funding
Nevada’s charter students on average, are funded less than the average district student due to Nevada’s antiquated system of school finance. Independently run, public charter schools receive state funds based on student attendance (same as traditional public schools); however they do not receive funds from local tax revenue that typically help with school facilities funding.
