A charter school is a public school that is defined by freedom, choice and accountability. The 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Act created legislation for this new kind of public school.  A group of parents, teachers or members of the general population may apply to start the charter school. Typically, these schools are organized around a distinct mission, theme or curriculum.  Once chartered by the Department of Education, the school is then managed by a Board of Trustees.

These public schools are accountable for results.  They must accept students on the basis of a lottery. There can be no selection process.  In addition, they must demonstrate strong academic results within five years or their charter will be revoked.

Parents choose to send their children to charter schools.  Teachers choose to work at these schools; there is no assignment process and teachers apply to an individual school for employment. The Board of Trustees, along with school leadership, chooses how to manage resources.  There is no tuition for a charter public school; the funding comes from the district where the student resides - i.e., the money follows the student.