What Is A Charter School?

It is an independent public school created when a group of parents, teachers and community leaders petition a local school board or county board of education for a charter to operate independently from the local school district.

How Charter Schools Are Funded?

Charter schools receive their funding directly from the State of California based on the Average Daily Attendance of the school. This is the same formula used to fund school districts. Currently, the GUHSD district receives the revenue and the district decides what they wish to allocate for Steele Canyon. As a Charter School, Steele Canyon would get their funding directly from the State of California and utilize the funds in a manner that best suits the educational needs of Steele Canyon.

Why Charter Schools?

Public charter schools offer an important and timely public school option to address the challenges facing our traditional education system. Charter schools are an exciting and high-potential alternative for the following reasons:

Charter schools provide teachers at the local public school flexibility in deciding their curriculum, staffing and budgets with the goal of improving student achievement.

Charter schools provide parents the opportunity to offer real input in their child's education.

Charter schools give educators freedom to try new strategies to inspire student achievement.

Charter schools, less encumbered by the bureaucratic barriers that face other public schools, have the potential to spark system-wide change.

How Are Charter Schools Governed?

Charter schools have their own boards of education and operate independently of local school districts. Local school districts and county boards of education, however, have an oversight responsibility over charter schools and review the progress of charter schools. Local school districts, county boards of education and the state can revoke charters.

A charter school is generally exempt from most laws governing school districts, except where specifically noted in the law.

Steele Canyon’s governing board will consist of three parents or community members elected by Steele Canyon parents, two teachers, and one support staff person elected by the staff. The last member is a community member selected by the six elected board members.

How Do We Know If The Students Are Doing Well At Charter Schools?

Charter schools in California are required to participate in the statewide assessment test, called the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) program. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor -usually a state or local school board- to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability.

Steele Canyon High School Charter Benefits

The SCHS staff is committed to monitoring student success and refining a vision and philosophy that results in high student performance. It is in our interest to have site-based autonomy over the following:

Academic Excellence

Quarter System Structure

- Best Learning Environment
- Small Class Size
- Personalized Atmosphere
- Safer Campus

Oral Presentations/ Senior Exhibition
Three-Year Science Program
Integration of Technology
Concurrent Support Class for Struggling Learners

Fiscal Responsibility

Fiscal decisions aligned with School Vision and Mission
Sound management of resources

Quality Staff Retention

Hire and Retain most highly qualified staff
Team oriented practices
Align staff development with Student needs

Community Engagement

Community positions on Governing Board
Parental involvement on school committees
Parental Booster Clubs
Participation in School Events