District-Authorized Charter Schools

A charter school is a publicly funded school created through a contract or 'charter' and must show greater accountability for results. Charter schools provide innovative ways of educating children within the public school system and are free and open to all students.

Charter schools differ from traditional public schools in that they receive some regulatory freedom and autonomy in exchange for having their charters reviewed by an authorizer, in this case Tulsa Public Schools. Charter schools still participate in state testing and federal accountability programs. The charter school's operation, organization, management and curriculum are unique and different from those of Tulsa Public Schools.

Interested families must apply for enrollment by completing the charter school's application.

The term “partnership school” refers to a variety of autonomy-rich school models—whether they are innovative schools of the future or well-established models already within the TPS network. They embody the expectations and strategies described by the district within its strategic plan and the district’s theory of change.

What are the characteristics of partnership schools?

Though the characteristics of each school will differ, partnership schools must provide exceptional education to students and commit to higher levels of accountability in exchange for increased autonomy. They are TPS schools that may operate as a stand-alone site or share a school building with a traditional TPS school. A partnership school could have teachers employed by TPS, and therefore members of the TPS bargaining unit; or teachers could be employed by an outside organization. Partnership schools complement the TPS-authorized charter schools as well as the traditional schools of the district, which also have growing opportunities for autonomies and flexibilities to more effectively serve their communities and students’ needs.

Partnership schools are—and will be—unique by virtue of their design and autonomies, but all will embrace broad stakeholder engagement. Their work will bring transformational change to the entire district by identifying, sharing and facilitating the implementation of innovative and best-in-class policies and practices.

• August 1 – Partnership School Letters of Intent Due
• September 1 – Proposals for Partnership or Charter Schools are due
• October – Capacity interviews for Charter School applicants
• November – Capacity interviews for Partnership School applicants
• December 1 – Deadline for board action on Charter School recommendations
• January 1 – Deadline for board action on Partnership School recommendations

Download the Application