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List of Charter Schools | Documents | Timeline for Applications | FAQs | Resources
The State Board of Education has multiple responsibilities under the charter school law for administration, oversight and reporting. Its primary responsibility is approval of school districts wishing to be authorizers of charter schools. Through its representation on the Washington State Charter School Commission, it also participates in the authorizing of charter schools. For detailed information about charter schools, see the Charter Schools FAQ.
SBE Statutory Duties for Charter Schools
- Screen, approve, contract with, and oversee the performance and effectiveness of school districts that authorize charter schools within their boundaries
- Establish a statewide formula for an authorizer oversight fee
- Certify charter school applications approved by CSC or a district authorizer between approval and contract ratification (to ensure there is space available within the 40 maximum allowed by law).
- Create annual charter school report for Governor, Legislature, public at large
- Petitions for charter contract transfers (review and determine whether to grant)
- Include all charter schools in its public school system oversight, including accountability measures, to the same extent as other public schools
- SBE chair, or designee, serve as a member of the Charter School Commission
List of SBE-certified Charter Schools
There are 17 currently certified charter schools. The total does not include closed schools. Please see the table below for the status of current and previously certified schools.
| Charter School | Authorizer | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Place Scholars | Commission | Closed in 2016 |
| Ashé Preparatory Academy | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Green Dot: Destiny Middle School | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Green Dot: Excel Middle School | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Rainier Valley Leadership Academy | Commission | Open |
| Impact Public Schools: Puget Sound Elementary | Commission | Open |
| Innovation High School-Spokane | Spokane | Open |
| Rainier Prep | Commission | Open |
| SOAR Academy | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Spokane International Academy | Commission | Open |
| Summit Public Schools: Atlas | Commission | Open |
| Summit Public Schools: Olympus | Commission | Open |
| Summit Public Schools: Sierra | Commission | Open |
| Innovation Public Charter School | Commission | Closed in 2021 |
| Impact Public Schools: Salish Sea Elementary | Commission | Open |
| Catalyst Public Schools: Bremerton | Commission | Open |
| Lumen High School | Spokane | Open |
| Why Not You Academy | Commission | Open |
| Whatcom Intergenerational High School | Commission | Open |
| Impact Public Schools: Commencement Bay | Commission | Open |
| Impact Public Schools: Black River Elementary | Commission | Open |
| Pullman Community Montessori | Commission | Closed July 2024 |
| Pinacles Prep | Commission | Open |
| Rooted School: Vancouver | Commission | Open |
Documents
| Charter Schools Authorizer Application |
|---|
Timeline for Authorizer Applications
| Charter Authorizer Applications | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Last date for posting of authorizer application by SBE | May 15 |
| Last date for district notice of intent to submit authorizer application | June 15 |
| Last date for district to submit authorizer application | October 15 |
| Last date for SBE to approve or deny authorizer application | February 1 |
| Last date for SBE authorizing contract with approved district | March 1 |
| Charter School Applications | Due Date |
| Last date for all authorizers to issue RFPs for charter applicants | March 1 |
| Last date to submit charter applications to authorizers | June 1 |
| Last date for authorizers to approve or deny charter applications | September 1 |
| Last date for authorizers to report approval or denial of charter applications to SBE | See note1 |
1The date by which authorizers report approval or denial of charter applications to the SBE is set by RCW 28A.170.150(2) at ten days from the action to approve or deny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual Reports (2017 and older)
2017
2016
2015
2014
District Documents
Additional information
| Media |
|---|
| 2021 - Compendium of NACSA Publication on Quality Charter School Authorizing |
| 2016 - NACSA Principles & Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing |