Charter Schools

About Charter Schools

Charter schools are fully recognized as public schools. They are independently governed, free-standing public schools that offer parents and students an alternative public education outside the traditional school district system. The Charter, or contract, defines an individual school’s mission, curriculum and instructional strategies, goals and objectives, and all areas of its accountability to its Sponsor, its parents, and its students. It also outlines the school’s management, operations and financial responsibilities.

Charter schools are non-profit organizations, each governed by its own board of directors made up of parents and members of the community. The governing board is responsible for setting policy, approving the annual budget and ensuring the school is financially sound and operating within the required fiscal guidelines. Charter school's teachers and staff are employees of the charter school, not employees of the school district in which the school is located.Teachers employed by or under contract to a charter school are required to be certified. (Ch.1012, F.S). As with other public schools in Florida, charter schools receive funds based on their full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment. Additional funding can be obtained through grants and private donations.

Hernando County charter schools operate under performance contracts (charters) with their Sponsor, the District School Board of Hernando County. The District School Board, through its Academic Services Division, monitors each school for compliance with its charter and local, state and federal regulations.

A list of charter schools sponsored by the District School Board of Hernando County can be found by clicking on "Charter School Directory". Parents and stakeholders wanting additional information about a specific charter school should contact the school directly.