Public schools in Utah are created by the legislature, by constitutional provision under the general supervision of the Utah State Board of Education. There are 40 school districts and over 700 public schools in Utah which were all created or chartered by the legislature. These public schools are open to everyone, charge no tuition and do not discriminate. Public schools are designed to meet the educational needs of all students and school-age children attend schools organized around geographic boundaries governed by local school districts. The creation of publicly chartered schools in Utah invites new and innovative ways to educate students and still meet the criteria of being public schools.
Charter schools are complimentary to existing public schools.
Must be nonsectarian. May not charge tuition. Must have an open enrollment policy that includes an equitable selection of students when enrollment requests exceed school capacity. Must be accountable for the provisions of the charters and the use of public funds. Will receive charters from the Utah State Board of Education after review by local boards of education.