Charter schools in Alaska are public schools that are approved, monitored and supported by their local school district.  They are independently managed, publicly funded schools which operate under a contract between the school and the school district. There are currently nine public charter schools operating in the Anchorage School District serving approximately 4,000 students. Our charter schools differ from other ASD schools in three significant ways;

1. They are governed by an elected board called an Academic Policy Committee (APC).
2. The principal is hired and contracted by the APC. 
3. They are exempt from the school district's textbook, program, curriculum, and scheduling requirements, as outlined in the approved charter contract.

Charter schools are expected to follow all ASD school board policy and procedures unless expressly waived in their approved charter. Charter schools operate under a contract with the ASD and must renew their contract every 10 years.

Please contact your school if you have questions about the curriculum or your child’s progress. There are many opportunities for parent involvement.

Christopher Barr, former Director of Charter Schools, discusses the Anchorage School District Charter Schools in the above video.