The majority of charter schools are start-ups, for whom securing facilities has proven to be a challenge. Scarce space in a district, limited start-up funds, and difficulties associated with borrowing money to rent space have prompted some schools to seek creative facilities solutions. Some schools have worked out arrangements with the sponsoring school district and lease building space at low prices. Sonoma Charter School, for example, rents its building from the local school district for one dollar a year. Other schools, like Leadership High, have formed partnerships with institutes of higher education to occupy unused classrooms during the day.
Federal legislation provides grants to help charters with start-up costs.
The Arizona Stimulus Fund and the California Revolving Loan Fund are examples of what particular states have done. For information, see our State and School Information area or Resources section. As public schools, charters are not allowed to charge tuition, and they are funded according to enrollment. In most states, charters do not receive capital funds for facilities. They are entitled to federal categorical funding for which their students are eligible, such as Title I and Special Education monies.