charter school

American  

[chahr-ter skool] / ˈtʃɑr tər ˌskul /

noun

• charter schools
  plural

1. an autonomous public school created by a contract between a sponsor, as a local school district or corporation, and an organizer, as a group of teachers or a community group, often with a curriculum or focus that is not traditional.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• charter schools
  plural

Etymology

Origin of charter school

First recorded in 1800–10; current use dates from 1985–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

charter school

I founded an all-boys charter school in 2021, with the goal of helping black boys who basically stopped learning during Covid shutdowns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

She said auditors in Ohio created a “false narrative” about her charter school and her actions, and that she took a plea deal only after being exhausted emotionally and financially by a drawn-out investigation.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

Officials say the charter school is failing; defenders want a closer look at data.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

In response, districts including Malakoff ISD in Texas and at least one charter school in Arizona canceled scheduled Lifetouch photos, with some officials announcing they would keep pictures “in-house for the rest of the year.”

From Salon ● Feb. 15, 2026

Luma had gotten Bien into a nearby charter school that focused on immigrants and refugees.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John