Charter renewal schedule
Page created June 6, 2012; last updated Nov 29, 2014
All charter schools are granted a charter for a specified period of time, which can range anywhere from 3 to 20 years, depending on the state. About 6 months before this time period ends, a charter school must apply for a renewal of its charter. If the renewal is denied (and this does happen) the charter school must close.
The charter is granted by the "authorizer," which is an entity empowered by state law to grant and rescind charters. Some states have only one authorizer. Others such as Ohio have numerous authorizers. The criteria the authorizer must use to decide whether to grant or deny a charter vary from state to state.
Since charter schools are publicly funded, any member of the public can express their views on them to public officials at any time. However, the renewal process may be a particularly effective time to submit comments. Note that many charter schools receive federal funds in addition to state and local monies; out-of-state citizens may therefore feel concerned as well.
The charter is granted by the "authorizer," which is an entity empowered by state law to grant and rescind charters. Some states have only one authorizer. Others such as Ohio have numerous authorizers. The criteria the authorizer must use to decide whether to grant or deny a charter vary from state to state.
Since charter schools are publicly funded, any member of the public can express their views on them to public officials at any time. However, the renewal process may be a particularly effective time to submit comments. Note that many charter schools receive federal funds in addition to state and local monies; out-of-state citizens may therefore feel concerned as well.
CURRENTLY IN RENEWAL PROCESS
Buffalo Academy of Science
Charter authorizer: New York State Board of Regents
Charter expiration: June 30, 2015
Charter authorizer: New York State Board of Regents
Charter expiration: June 30, 2015
Magnolia Science Academy San Diego
Charter Authorizer: San Diego Unified School District
Charter granted: July 31, 2005; renewed 2010
Charter expiration: June 30, 2015
Source: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/staff/2012/20120314/6.pdf
Charter Authorizer: San Diego Unified School District
Charter granted: July 31, 2005; renewed 2010
Charter expiration: June 30, 2015
Source: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/staff/2012/20120314/6.pdf
Quest Charter Academy, Peoria, Illinois
Charter Authorizer: Peoria School District 150
Renewal application submitted Oct 2014
Renewal period requested: July 2015 - June 2020
Charter expiration: June 30, 2015
Source: Peoria Journal-Star Oct 4, 2014
Charter Authorizer: Peoria School District 150
Renewal application submitted Oct 2014
Renewal period requested: July 2015 - June 2020
Charter expiration: June 30, 2015
Source: Peoria Journal-Star Oct 4, 2014
RENEWAL PROCESS LIKELY
Central Jersey College Prep Charter School, Somerset, New Jersey
Charter authorizer: New Jersey Department of Education
Renewed: 2010 (5 years)
Charter expiration: 2015
Source: New Jersey Dept of Ed
Charter authorizer: New Jersey Department of Education
Renewed: 2010 (5 years)
Charter expiration: 2015
Source: New Jersey Dept of Ed
Harmony Science Academy (Houston) (name of charter, not of school)
Charter authorizer: TEA (Texas Education Agency)
Original charter began: May 19, 2000
Renewed: August 1, 2005
Charter expiration: July 31, 2015
This multi-school charter is currently for 6 schools:
Charter authorizer: TEA (Texas Education Agency)
Original charter began: May 19, 2000
Renewed: August 1, 2005
Charter expiration: July 31, 2015
This multi-school charter is currently for 6 schools:
- Harmony Science Academy High School Houston
- Harmony School of Innovation Houston
- Harmony School of Ingenuity Houston
- Harmony Science Academy Houston
- Harmony School of Fine Arts and Technology Houston
- Harmony School of Exploration Houston
Harmony Science Academy (Austin) (name of charter, not of school)
Charter authorizer: TEA (Texas Education Agency)
Original charter began: May 19, 2000
Renewed: August 1, 2005
Charter expiration: July 31, 2015
This multi-school charter is currently for 6 schools:
Charter authorizer: TEA (Texas Education Agency)
Original charter began: May 19, 2000
Renewed: August 1, 2005
Charter expiration: July 31, 2015
This multi-school charter is currently for 6 schools:
- Harmony Science Academy Austin
- Harmony Science Academy North Austin
- Harmony School of Excellence Austin
- Harmony School of Innovation Austin
- Harmony School of Science Austin
- Harmony School of Political Science and Communication Austin
NOT CURRENTLY IN RENEWAL PROCESS
Arkansas
LISA Academy
Charter Authorizer: Arkansas State Board of Education
LISA Academy applied in 2012 for a 20 (!) year charter renewal and an increase in enrollment cap from 600 to 800. On April 9/10, 2012, the State Board of Education approved renewal for 5 years, stipulating that performance measures must be reported a years 2 and 4, and approved the enrollment increase (link).
Charter expiration: 2017
Charter Authorizer: Arkansas State Board of Education
LISA Academy applied in 2012 for a 20 (!) year charter renewal and an increase in enrollment cap from 600 to 800. On April 9/10, 2012, the State Board of Education approved renewal for 5 years, stipulating that performance measures must be reported a years 2 and 4, and approved the enrollment increase (link).
Charter expiration: 2017
California
Bay Area Technology School
Charter Authorizer: Oakland Unified School District
Charter granted: June 22, 2004 (3 year term)
1 year extension granted through June 30, 2008
5-year Renewal granted through June 30, 2013
5-year renewal granted at April 10, 2013 OUSD board meeting
Charter expiration: June 30, 2018
Charter Authorizer: Oakland Unified School District
Charter granted: June 22, 2004 (3 year term)
1 year extension granted through June 30, 2008
5-year Renewal granted through June 30, 2013
5-year renewal granted at April 10, 2013 OUSD board meeting
Charter expiration: June 30, 2018
Magnolia Science Academy 1 Reseda
Charter Authorizer: Los Angeles Unified School District
Charter granted: 2002; renewed 2007
Renewal petition: Mar 13, 2012
Renewal recommended: Mar 13, 2012
Charter Authorizer: Los Angeles Unified School District
Charter granted: 2002; renewed 2007
Renewal petition: Mar 13, 2012
Renewal recommended: Mar 13, 2012
Magnolia Science Academy 2
Charter Authorizer: Los Angeles Unified School District
Charter granted: 2007 (5 years)
Renewal recommended: Mar 13, 2012
Charter Authorizer: Los Angeles Unified School District
Charter granted: 2007 (5 years)
Renewal recommended: Mar 13, 2012
Magnolia Science Academy 3
Charter Authorizer: Los Angeles Unified School District
Charter granted: 2007 (5 years)
Renewal petition: Dec 14, 2011, Mar 13, 2012
Renewal recommended: Mar 13, 2012
Charter Authorizer: Los Angeles Unified School District
Charter granted: 2007 (5 years)
Renewal petition: Dec 14, 2011, Mar 13, 2012
Renewal recommended: Mar 13, 2012
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Clara
Charter authorizer: Santa Clara County Office of Education
Renewal approved Jan 2013 (link)
Charter expiration: 2018
Charter authorizer: Santa Clara County Office of Education
Renewal approved Jan 2013 (link)
Charter expiration: 2018
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana (formerly Pacific Technology School Santa Ana)
Charter Authorizer: California State Board of Education
Charter granted: April 1, 2009 expiring June 30, 2014; renewed under new name May 2014
Charter expiration: June 30, 2019
Sources: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/staff/2012/20120314/6.pdf http://cde-ca.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=135
Charter Authorizer: California State Board of Education
Charter granted: April 1, 2009 expiring June 30, 2014; renewed under new name May 2014
Charter expiration: June 30, 2019
Sources: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/staff/2012/20120314/6.pdf http://cde-ca.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=135
Colorado
Lotus School for Excellence
Charter Authorizer: Aurora Public Schools
Initial charter granted: 2009
Renewal: Jan 24, 2012, 5 year term (link)
Charter expiration: 2017
Charter Authorizer: Aurora Public Schools
Initial charter granted: 2009
Renewal: Jan 24, 2012, 5 year term (link)
Charter expiration: 2017
Illinois
Chicago Math & Science Academy
Charter authorizer: Office of New Schools, Chicago Public Schools
Original charter expired June 30, 2014. Conditional 5-year renewal approved at Feb 26, 2014 board meeting of Chicago Public Schools requiring annual affidavit that board members have no substantial financial conflicts of interest with the school's vendors.
Charter expiration: June 30, 2019
Charter authorizer: Office of New Schools, Chicago Public Schools
Original charter expired June 30, 2014. Conditional 5-year renewal approved at Feb 26, 2014 board meeting of Chicago Public Schools requiring annual affidavit that board members have no substantial financial conflicts of interest with the school's vendors.
Charter expiration: June 30, 2019
Louisiana
Kenilworth Science and Technology
Renewal: Dec 5, 2013 (news article)
Charter expiration: 2019
Kenilworth Science and Technology
Renewal: Dec 5, 2013 (news article)
Charter expiration: 2019
Massachusetts
Pioneer Charter School of Science
Charter Authorizer: Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Renewed: Jan 2012 (5 years)
Charter expiration: 2017
Source: Boston Globe Feb 5, 2012
Charter Authorizer: Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Renewed: Jan 2012 (5 years)
Charter expiration: 2017
Source: Boston Globe Feb 5, 2012
Hampden Charter School of Science
Charter Authorizer: Masschusetts Department of Education
Charter renewed March 2014.
Charter expiration: 2019
Charter Authorizer: Masschusetts Department of Education
Charter renewed March 2014.
Charter expiration: 2019
Michigan
Michigan Mathematics & Science Academy
Charter authorizer: Grand Valley State University
Charter expiration: June 30, 2016
Source: GVSU contract
Michigan Mathematics & Science Academy
Charter authorizer: Grand Valley State University
Charter expiration: June 30, 2016
Source: GVSU contract
Minnesota
Minnesota School of Science (this school's charter has been terminated)
Charter Authorizer: Minneapolis Public Schools
Charter expiration: 2014
Source: Twin Cities Daily Planet, July 24, 2012
Charter Authorizer: Minneapolis Public Schools
Charter expiration: 2014
Source: Twin Cities Daily Planet, July 24, 2012
Missouri
Frontier School System
Single charter for entire school chain; original expiration July 1, 2014; renewed at Feb 18, 2014 DESE board meeting for 5-yr period
Charter expiration: June 30, 2019
Frontier School System
Single charter for entire school chain; original expiration July 1, 2014; renewed at Feb 18, 2014 DESE board meeting for 5-yr period
Charter expiration: June 30, 2019
New Jersey
Bergen Arts and Science Charter School
Charter authorizer: New Jersey Department of Education
Initial charter granted: 2007
Renewed: 2011
Charter expiration: 2016
Charter authorizer: New Jersey Department of Education
Initial charter granted: 2007
Renewed: 2011
Charter expiration: 2016
Paterson Charter School of Science and Technology
Charter authorizer: New Jersey Department of Education
Initial charter granted: 2003
Renewed: July 1, 2007; July 1, 2012 (5 years)
Charter expiration: June 30, 2017
Sources: bond documents; New Jersey Dept of Ed
Charter authorizer: New Jersey Department of Education
Initial charter granted: 2003
Renewed: July 1, 2007; July 1, 2012 (5 years)
Charter expiration: June 30, 2017
Sources: bond documents; New Jersey Dept of Ed
New York
Rochester Academy Charter School
Charter authorizer: New York State Board of Regents
July 26, 2012 letter (link) says New York State Board of Regents received renewal application, and will consider it at the January 14-15, 2013 meeting. Dec 21, 2012 (link)
meeting, provisional charter granted through June 30, 2013, then renewed through June 30, 2014. Provisional charter extended to June 30, 2017 at Feb 5, 2014 Board of Regents meeting. "The request to expand the grades served by the school to include Kindergarten through sixth grade is not approved."
Charter expiration: June 30, 2017
Charter authorizer: New York State Board of Regents
July 26, 2012 letter (link) says New York State Board of Regents received renewal application, and will consider it at the January 14-15, 2013 meeting. Dec 21, 2012 (link)
meeting, provisional charter granted through June 30, 2013, then renewed through June 30, 2014. Provisional charter extended to June 30, 2017 at Feb 5, 2014 Board of Regents meeting. "The request to expand the grades served by the school to include Kindergarten through sixth grade is not approved."
Charter expiration: June 30, 2017
Syracuse Academy of Science
Charter authorizer: New York State Board of Regents
Charter expiration: June 30, 2017
Charter revision approved by Board of Regents Feb 11, 2014
Charter authorizer: New York State Board of Regents
Charter expiration: June 30, 2017
Charter revision approved by Board of Regents Feb 11, 2014
Texas
Charter contracts for the Harmony Public Schools and School of Science and Technololgy chains are complicated, because each charter is for more than one school. Moreover, the grouping of the schools under these charters has been changed several times. For example, a bond rating report (link) from 2012 stated "Cosmos Foundation, which operates as Harmony Public Schools, had 11 charters with 36 campus locations as of August 2011." A bond document from 2014, however, shows 43 Harmony schools operating under 7 charters. (Aside: It is concerning that this information is being found on bond documents and not on the Texas Education Agency website. TEA should maintain a list of all charter contracts, which schools are under them, and the dates of their term, as well as a link to the contract documents themselves, on its website.)
Charter contracts for the Harmony Public Schools and School of Science and Technololgy chains are complicated, because each charter is for more than one school. Moreover, the grouping of the schools under these charters has been changed several times. For example, a bond rating report (link) from 2012 stated "Cosmos Foundation, which operates as Harmony Public Schools, had 11 charters with 36 campus locations as of August 2011." A bond document from 2014, however, shows 43 Harmony schools operating under 7 charters. (Aside: It is concerning that this information is being found on bond documents and not on the Texas Education Agency website. TEA should maintain a list of all charter contracts, which schools are under them, and the dates of their term, as well as a link to the contract documents themselves, on its website.)
Harmony School of Excellence (name of multi-school charter)
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 1, 2006
Renewal start date: August 1, 2010
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2020
Schools under this charter:
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 1, 2006
Renewal start date: August 1, 2010
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2020
Schools under this charter:
- Harmony School of Excellence Houston
- Harmony School of Excellence Endeavor
- Harmony Science Academy Bryan/College Station
- Harmony Science Academy Houston Northwest
- Harmony School of Advancement High School Houston
- Harmony School of Discovery Houston
Harmony School of Science - Houston (name of multi-school charter)
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: April 25, 2008
Renewal start date: August 1, 2013
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2023
Schools under this charter:
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: April 25, 2008
Renewal start date: August 1, 2013
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2023
Schools under this charter:
- Harmony School of Science Houston
- Harmony School of Science Sugar Land High School
- Harmony Science Academy West Houston
- Harmony Science Academy Beaumont
Harmony Science Academy (Waco) (name of multi-school charter)
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 26, 2007
Renewal start date: August 1, 2011
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2021
Schools under this charter:
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 26, 2007
Renewal start date: August 1, 2011
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2021
Schools under this charter:
- Harmony Science Academy Waco
- Harmony Science Academy Dallas
- Harmony School of Innovation Dallas
- Harmony Science Academy Garland
- Harmony School of Innovation Garland
- Harmony School of Business Dallas
- Harmony Science Academy Fort Worth
- Harmony Science Academy Grand Prairie
- Harmony Science Academy Euless
- Harmony School of Nature and Athletics Dallas
- Harmony School of Innovation Forth Worth
- Harmony School of Innovation Euless
Harmony Science Academy (El Paso) (name of multi-school charter)
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 1, 2006
Renewal start date: August 1, 2010
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2020
Schools under this charter:
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 1, 2006
Renewal start date: August 1, 2010
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2020
Schools under this charter:
- Harmony Science Academy El Paso
- Harmony School of Innovation El Paso
- Harmony Science Academy Lubbock
- Harmony Science Academy Odessa
Harmony Science Academy (San Antonio) (name of multi-school charter)
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 1, 2006
Renewal start date: August 1, 2010
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2020
Schools under this charter:
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: Feb 1, 2006
Renewal start date: August 1, 2010
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2020
Schools under this charter:
- Harmony Science Academy San Antonio
- Harmony School of Innovation San Antonio
- Harmony Science Academy Laredo
- Harmony School of Innovation Laredo
- Harmony Science Academy Brownsville
School of Science and Technology Main/Charter District #015/827
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: May 9, 2005
Renewal start date: August 1, 2009
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2019
Schools under this charter contract:
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: May 9, 2005
Renewal start date: August 1, 2009
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2019
Schools under this charter contract:
- School of Science and Technology San Antonio
- School of Science and Technology Alamo
School of Science and Technology Main/Charter District #015/831
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: April 24, 2008
Renewal start date: August 1, 2012
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2023
Schools under this charter contract:
Authorizer: Texas Education Agency
Original charter start date: April 24, 2008
Renewal start date: August 1, 2012
Charter expiration date: July 31, 2023
Schools under this charter contract:
- School of Science and Technology Corpus Christi
- School of Science and Technology Discovery