| What are Charter Schools? |
Charter schools are independent public schools,
designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational
entrepreneurs, and others. They are sponsored by designated local or
state educational organizations who monitor their quality and integrity,
but allow them to operate free of the traditional bureaucratic and regulatory
red tape that hog-ties public schools. Freed from such micromanagement,
charter schools design and deliver programs tailored to educational excellence
and community needs. Being schools of choice, they are held to the highest
level of accountability - consumer demand. |
| How would I go about enrolling my child into the Williamsburg Charter High School? |
Provided there is space available, enrolling a child
into the WCHS is fairly simple. Complete the admissions application and
return it to the school as soon as possible. We accept applications
on an ongoing basis; however, only those applications submitted on or
before the date of our admission lottery will be included in the lottery. |
| What happens if there are no more available openings for my child? |
If no seats are available at the time of your application,
your child will be placed on a waiting list. We will contact you as
soon as a space is made available. |
| Why are Charter Schools so popular? |
Charters Schools provide an opportunity
for better child-centered education. They provide the chance for communities
to create the greatest range of educational choices for their children.
Operators have the opportunity and the incentive to create schools that
provide new and better services to students. Charters schools, bound
only by the high standards they have set for themselves, inspire the
rest of the system to work harder and be more responsive to the needs
of the children. |
| How are Charter Schools funded? |
Charter schools are public schools. Most charters
schools are created by groups of educators, parents, and community leaders.
Some have been converted from existing public schools and a small number
of charter schools were once private schools. Similar to district public
schools, charter schools receive funding from the district and state
according to enrollment (also called average daily attendance or ADA). |
| How do Charter Schools differ from traditional District Public Schools? |
Accountability - Charter schools are held accountable for how well they educate children in a safe and responsible environment, not for compliance with district and state regulations. They are judged on how well they meet the student achievement goals established by their charter, and how well they manage the fiscal and operational responsibilities entrusted to them. Charter schools must operate lawfully and responsibly, with the highest regard for equity and excellence. If they fail to deliver, they are closed. Choice - Parents, teachers, community groups, organizations, or individuals interested in creating a better educational opportunity for children can start charter schools. Local and state school boards, colleges and universities, and other community agencies interested in fostering innovation and excellence in schools sponsor them. Students choose to attend and teachers choose to teach at charter schools. Autonomy - Charter schools are freed from the traditional bureaucracy and regulations that divert a school's energy and resources toward compliance, rather than excellence. Instead of jumping through procedural hoops and over paperwork hurdles, educators can focus on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students. |
| How may I go about purchasing more school clothing for my child? |
All additional clothing purchases may be made in the Main Office, Room 429. The prices are as follows: Short Sleeve Shirt - $25, Long Sleeve Shirt - $30 |
| How many charter schools are there in the United States? |
| There are approximately 2,700 charter schools in the U.S. |
I heard students wear uniforms at the WCHS, is this true? |
Uniforms are mandatory at the WCHS and so far the effects are fantastic.
It allows students to be more focused on their school work and tasks at
hand, as opposed to the latest fashion trends. Uniforms also enable students
to distinguish themselves based on their personality and/or actual being
rather than on superficial features. |