District-Authorized Charter Schools

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The Tulsa Public Schools family includes five district-authorized charter schools and one partnership school.

District Charter Schools

College Bound Academy

College Bound Academy provides a private-school caliber education within a public-school setting, serving scholars in Pre-K through 8th grade. We offer rigorous academics, strong character development, and an achievement-oriented culture grounded in high expectations for every child. CBA focuses on the fundamentals: early literacy, support for English Learners, and college and career readiness ensuring all scholars, regardless of background, are prepared for long-term success in school and in life. Learn more here.

KIPP Tulsa

KIPP Tulsa serves students in grades 6–12 across two campuses. Grounded in our mission to create joyful, academically excellent schools, we prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. In partnership with families and the North Tulsa community, we cultivate character strengths such as zest, self-control, gratitude, curiosity, optimism, grit, and social intelligence, recognizing their strong connection to long-term student success. Learn more here.

Tulsa Legacy Charter School

Tulsa Legacy Charter School serves students in grades pre-K-8. The school’s mission is to create a culture of excellence by providing a rigorous, arts-infused curriculum that prepares students for college and the world beyond. Learn more here.

Tulsa Honor Academy

Tulsa Honor Academy serves students in the grades 5-12. Tulsa Honor Academy is on a mission to equip all scholars with the academic skills, content knowledge, and ethical character required for college graduation and life success. Through Tulsa Honor Academy’s commitment to public education, access, and EQUITY, our graduates will transform Oklahoma. Learn more here.

Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences
Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences serves students in grades 6-12. The school’s mission is to provide a life-changing and life-preparing education for middle and high school students. Through innovative teaching methods, high expectations, and a relationship-centered educational context, TSAS focuses on developing individuals holistically so that students achieve flourishing futures and meaningful lives. Learn more here.

Under the Canopy School

Under the Canopy School is a nature-based, public Waldorf-inspired pre-K-5th grade school that connects students to each other and their community through active engagement with the natural environment. The school's public Waldorf model immerses students in their journey of human development and provides a rigorous academic, arts, and outdoor-infused curriculum that awakens individuals' unique gifts and empowers them to enrich the health of their communities, becoming lifelong learners. Learn more here.

ABOUT CHARTERS AND PARTNERS

PUBLIC CHARTERS

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.

PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS

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.

Key Dates for the Charter Partner Application

December 1 – Partnership School Letters of Intent due
January 2 – Proposals for Partnership Schools due
March 20 – Charter Letters of Intent Due
April 20 – Proposals for Charter Schools due
May 1 – Deadline for board action on Partnership School recommendations
June 20 – Deadline for board action on Charter School recommendations

Download the Application

Charter Performance Framework

Contact Us

Mindy Sutterfield
Charter Portfolio Manager
suttemi@tulsaschools.org

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Elementary School

Middle School

High School

Alternative Schools

Charter/Partner Schools