Public Charter Schools

Public charter schools are public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The charter establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, and methods of assessment.

Applicants for a new public charter school must submit a Letter of Intent and follow the charter school's application process.

This process applies to Open-Enrollment Public Charter School applicants.

The charter application window opens on February 15, 2026, and closes on June 15, 2026. Applicants who submit a complete Letter of Intent (LOI) and required materials iwthin this window can expect to have their application scheduled for a Charter Authorizing Panel (CAP)hearing within approximately 10 weeks of LOI submission.

If the application is approved by CAP and subsequently receives an affirmative vote from the State Board of Education (SBE), the charter holder may begin implementation activities immediately following the SBE's final approval, with the goal of opening in the 2027-2028 school year. Application timelines may vary depending on when an applicant submits the LOI. The only firm deadline is June 15, 2026, which is the final date to submit an LOI for schools planning to open in the 2027-2028 school year.

For District Conversion Public Charter School applicants, applicants who submit a complete Letter of Intent (LOI) and required materials can expect to have their application scheduled for a Charter Authorizing Panel (CAP) hearing within approximately 7 weeks of LOI submission.

If the application is approved by CAP and subsequently receives an affirmative vote from the State Board of Education (SBE), the charter holder may begin implementation activities immediately following the SBE's final approval.

Please submit all Letters of Intent via e-mail to the Charter School Office at this address ade.charterschools@ade.arkansas.gov.

At the end of the term, the State Board of Education may renew the school's contract after the public charter school has followed the renewal process.

There is also a process by which a charter can be amended to add campuses, increase or decrease enrollment caps, change grade configurations, and/or request or rescind waivers. Public charter schools are accountable to the State Board of Education to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract.

In Arkansas there are two basic types of public charter schools. An open-enrollment charter school is a public charter school run by a governmental entity, an institution of higher learning or a tax-exempt non-sectarian organization. Open enrollment schools can draw students from across district boundaries.

A district conversion charter school is a public school converted to a public charter school. Conversion schools can only draw students from within the school district's boundaries.

• List of Open-Enrollment Charter Schools
• List of District Conversion Charter Schools

House and Senate Biennial Report

• 2024 Reports
• 2022 Reports
• 2020 Reports

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