Local Charter FAQ?

The OCSC was created to assist local boards of education in their role as charter authorizers, specifically in the oversight of locally-approved (local) charter schools. OCSC staff reports directly to the State Board of Education. On the other hand, the SCSC serves as a state-level authorizer, responsible for both the authorization and oversight of state-approved charter schools. The SCSC staff reports to the SCSC Board of Commissioners. Importantly, the SCSC does not have any role or responsibility in overseeing local charter schools.

A local charter school is a public school of choice that operates under the terms of a charter, or contract, between a Georgia nonprofit charter school governing board and a Local Board of Education (the authorizer).

There are currently 48 locally-approved charter schools in Georgia. Of the 48 charter schools, there are 46 start-up charter schools and two conversion charter schools.

A start-up charter school is a charter school that did not exist as a local school prior to becoming a charter school.
 

A conversion charter school is a charter school that previously existed as a traditional public school.

Local charter schools are held accountable for academic results through their charter contract with an authorizer (the local school district). The contract stipulates certain academic performance goals that the school must meet in order to fulfill the terms of its charter.

Information regarding a charter school’s performance can be accessed on the Georgia Department of Education’s Accountability website.
 

Charter schools are required to submit an annual financial statement (for conversions) or an audited annual financial statement (for start-ups) to their authorizers by October 1 each year. This information is available to the public through the school, the local district, or the Office of Charter School Compliance. It is also published in the OCSC’s annual report of charter schools.