There is a total statewide enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. School size ranges from 60 to approximately 650 students. Charter schools offer a range of educational programs and a variety of learning environments. Four additional charter schools are scheduled to open in September 2000 with another six schools scheduled to open in 2001.
Charter schools are independent public schools operating under a charter.
Each school must provide details of the school s mission, administrative plan, educational plan, and methods to measure school success. In Delaware, the initial charter is granted for three years, with consecutive extensions granted in five year increments. Charter schools are held accountable to produce positive academic results and must adhere to the terms of the charter. In Delaware, the chartering authority is either the school district or the Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education estimates the number of charter schools in operation to be between 1,735 and 1,790 during the 1999-2000 school year.