Charter schools come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small, some are large,

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some are run by national for-profit companies and some are independently operated schools run by groups or individuals within the community. Charter schools give parents an alternative to their neighborhood school.

Chancellor Charter School
Chancellor Charter School, a K-5 school for 550 students operated by the for-profit company Chancellor Beacon Academies, is housed in the renovated former office of the National Enquirer. In operation since 2001, the school emphasizes inclusion of technology, reading through literature, intense writing practice and community service.

Says parent Lianne Fay: "When I moved to Palm Beach County from New York, I knew I had to find an alternative after seeing the neighborhood school where there were 38 students in a class." Her two children, one in kindergarten and the other in first grade, are in classes with 25 or fewer students, the norm at this charter school where not only the classroom teacher but also the principal tries to knows all the students by name.

The Odyssey Charter School
The Odyssey Charter School offers an all-encompassing K-8 education with a Montessori-based teaching philosophy. Its goal is to provide a quality education to every student. Located in the heart of Palm Bay, Florida, school officials take pride in a family-based community that includes students, teachers, parents, families, and the 9.4 wooded acres on which it stands. By enforcing positive discipline techniques and nurturing a sense of mutual respect among the student body, the Odyssey Charter School focuses on building a safe environment that encourages optimistic mindsets.

Renaissance Elementary Charter School
Renaissance Elementary Charter School provides students with a challenging curriculum that emphasizes organizational skills and individual written and oral reports. This school encourages creativity and an enthusiasm for learning in a nurturing and safe environment. The Renaissance Elementary School seeks to produce ethical, knowledgeable and functional citizens for the future.

To find out more about specific charter schools in your area, go to our Resarch & Compare page.

Updated October 2006