A charter school is a public school operated independently under a performance contract approved by either the local school board or the Minister of Education. It is attended by choice and may not charge tuition or discriminate in student admissions. It must teach the mandated provincial curriculum. Each school's charter is a unique and specific contract that emphasizes results, both for students and administration. The school must fulfill all the terms of its contract in order to have its charter renewed.
Charter schools maintain the principles of public education.
They may not charge tuition, discriminate in admissions or offer religious instruction. Charter schools offer a modern and flexible approach to the complex teaching environment of today. While held fully accountable to a publicly elected government body, they control their own budget, staffing, programs and services to better meet the needs of their students. The University of Calgary has completed a two-year research project into Alberta's charter schools.