What is a charter school?

Charter schools are public schools that are tuition free but operate independently from local school boards. They are given greater freedom in exchange for accountability. Bronx Prep is overseen by the SUNY Charter Schools Institute and the charter is up for renewal every five years. Renewal is based on meeting pre-negotiated academic and other performance objectives. The charter school movement is one of the fastest growing education reform efforts in the United States.

What is the history of charter schools?

In the 1992-93 school year, three charter schools opened in the United States. New York State passed the first charter law in 1998. The first charter school in New York opened in 1999. As of October 2005, there were more than 3600 charter schools nationwide serving more than a million children. Charter schools are located in urban, suburban and rural school districts and have received popular political support from Democrats and Republicans.

Who can attend a charter school?

As public schools, charter schools are open by choice to all interested families. After siblings of current students are admitted, the remaining places are awarded by lottery.

How can I apply?

The lottery for the 2011-2012 school year took place on April 28, 2011 and is now closed. Applications will be accepted for 5th Grade Students for the 2012-2013 school year beginning in January 2012.

How are charter schools funded?

Charter schools receive a portion of the per pupil funds allocated to traditional public schools and little or no public funding for facilities. Bronx Prep receives approximately 80 percent of the per pupil funding allocated to traditional public schools. We receive no funding for facilities.

How do charter schools impact local public schools?

According to research conducted for the National Study of Charter Schools by the U.S. Department of Education, charter schools encourage the introduction of new educational programs in local public schools and, in some cases, the creation of new traditional public schools with programs similar to those of charter schools. Although the charter school movement is a recent development, there is convincing evidence that the competition created by the presence of charter schools promotes reform in public schools.

How will my gift to Bronx Prep make a difference?

A gift to Bronx Prep will go directly to providing our students with a rigorous college preparatory education, setting the stage for success in college and beyond.