Chico Unified School District

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Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools that may provide instruction in grades kindergarten through 12. Charter schools are usually created or organized by a group of parents, teachers and other educators, and community leaders or community-based organizations.

Charter schools generally operate on five-year terms. If at the end of a five-year term a charter school is determined to be successful, it can apply for another five-year term. If it has not been successful, the authorizing district or department of education can choose not to grant another term, and the school will have to close.

Who do I contact if I have a question or issue regarding a charter school?

Charter schools operate completely independently of Chico Unified School District staff, policies and procedures. Please contact your charter school principal, director, executive director or attend your charter school’s Board meeting where you can voice public comment.

Parents should first review the school's conflict resolution process or due process (located in the parent handbook and/or the charter petition). Each charter school has its own parent handbook, petition and their Board schedule is different.

You will need to check with the school where your child is attending or its website.

What does Chico Unified do as a charter school authorizer?

Chico Unified School District staff and the Chico Unified School District Board of Education are not a part of day-to-day charter school operations. Independent charter schools have their own policies, procedures and Boards.

As a charter school authorizer, Chico Unified School District must:

Monitor the fiscal condition of each charter school under its authority.
Visit each charter school annually.
Identify at least one staff member as a contact person for the charter school.
Provide timely notification to the CA Department of Education if the charter is revoked or if the charter school will cease operation for any reason.

Additionally, Chico Unified School District included charter schools in the Measure K Bond. 15.34% of bond funds have been allotted to charter school facilities.

Current CUSD Authorized Charter Schools*

Chico Unified School District currently authorizes nine charter schools within Butte County.

Achieve Charter School
Blue Oak School (K-8)
Chico Country Day (K-8)
Forest Ranch Elementary (K-8)
Nord Country School (K-8)
Sherwood Montessori School (K-8)
Wildflower (K-8)
Inspire School of Arts and Sciences (9-12)
Pivot Charter School

*Chico Unified School District staff and the Chico Unified School District Board of Education are not a part of day-to-day charter school operations. Independent charter schools have their own policies, procedures and Boards.