Charter Schools Division / New CSD FAQs

FAQs

Click on the tabs below to view answers for questions frequently asked about charter schools.

California Department of Education Charter School FAQs
What types of charter schools are authorized by LAUSD?
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) views charter schools as integral to the District's offerings and an opportunity to teach both students and educators.

Types of Charters

The District authorizes and oversees two types of charter schools:
1. Independent: An independent charter school is an independently run Local Educational Agency (LEA) governed by its own Board of Directors and overseen by its authorizer.
2. Affiliated: An affiliated, or dependent, charter school has closer ties with the District than the independent charter school in that it is under the governance of the LAUSD Board of Education and follows most policies and procedures of the District.
Both independent and affiliated charter schools must adhere to applicable laws and to the terms of their charter.

A school which was formerly an existing District school that later became a charter school is referred to as a conversion charter. A school that is created from inception as a charter school is referred to as a start-up charter.

Charter schools are open to any child residing in the State of California who wishes to attend. If the number of students who wish to attend a charter school exceeds the school's capacity, the school determines admission based on a public random drawing (lottery).
Where can I report any concerns about an LAUSD Charter School?
If you have a concern about an LAUSD-authorized charter school, please contact the

Charter Schools Division at (213) 241-0399 or CharterSchools@lausd.net

Affiliated Charter Schools

As affiliated charter schools are operated by District employees, you may also contact the LAUSD Region where the charter school is located:
Independent Charter Schools

As independent charter schools are independently operated, please contact your charter school principal or attend a meeting of the charter school's governing board where you can voice public comment.

You may also wish to review the school's conflict resolution process or due process procedures (generally located in the parent handbook and/or charter petition).

See the Charter Schools Data and Information Search page for information including links to the school's website and school profile, which contains contact information for the school.

FAQs

California Department of Education Charter School FAQs

What types of charter schools are authorized by LAUSD?

Where can I report any concerns about an LAUSD Charter School?